In a move that’s reignited public scrutiny over one of America’s most notorious criminal cases, the U.S. House Oversight Committee has subpoenaed the estate of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, seeking a trove of documents that could shed new light on his web of influential connections. At the heart of the request is a so-called “birthday book,” a leather-bound volume reportedly compiled by Epstein’s close associate Ghislaine Maxwell for his 50th birthday in 2003, which may contain messages from a who’s who of Epstein’s acquaintances—including, allegedly, a note linked to former President Donald Trump.
The committee, chaired by Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), issued the subpoena on August 26, 2025, giving the estate until September 8 to turn over all entries from the book, as well as a range of other materials. According to The Independent, the request is part of a much broader investigation into not only Epstein’s activities, but also the federal government’s handling of his case and possible ethical violations by officials.
This latest action follows years of speculation and controversy surrounding Epstein’s high-profile relationships, his 2008 non-prosecution agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of Florida, and the circumstances of his 2019 death in a New York jail cell—a death ruled a suicide, but still the subject of widespread conspiracy theories. The committee’s subpoena demands documents spanning from 1990 through August 2019, including communications with U.S. presidents and vice presidents, video footage from Epstein’s properties, contact and address books, and even Epstein’s will, according to CBS News.
Of particular intrigue is the so-called birthday book, which The Wall Street Journal described as including letters from dozens of Epstein’s associates. The Journal specifically reported on an alleged letter from Donald Trump that was said to be “bawdy,” featuring a drawing of a naked woman and the message: “Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret.” Trump, who was known to have socialized with Epstein decades ago, has vehemently denied authoring the letter, calling the report “fake” and even filing defamation proceedings against the publication, as reported by Facts And Events.
“It is our understanding that the Estate of Jeffrey Epstein is in custody and control of documents that may further the Committee’s investigation and legislative goals,” Chairman Comer wrote in a letter to Epstein’s estate lawyers, according to The Wall Street Journal. The committee’s demands don’t stop at the birthday book. They also seek non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) signed by Epstein’s associates, his will, and any potential client records. However, both the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the FBI have stated unequivocally that no such client list exists, a point reiterated in a DOJ memo last month that sought to tamp down speculation about a supposed roster of powerful people implicated in Epstein’s crimes.
The House panel’s investigation is wide-ranging. As ABC News reported, it’s not only looking into Epstein’s connections but also seeking to understand the operation of sex-trafficking rings and the strategies used to combat them. The committee’s efforts include examining the controversial 2008 non-prosecution agreement, which allowed Epstein to avoid federal prosecution by pleading guilty to lesser state charges. Alex Acosta, the U.S. attorney who brokered that deal and later served as President Trump’s labor secretary, is scheduled to provide voluntary testimony on September 19, 2025, according to House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
In a related development, the DOJ recently released transcripts from a two-day interview with Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s long-time associate and convicted co-conspirator, who is currently serving a 20-year sentence for her role in the trafficking operation. According to Politico, Maxwell denied any knowledge of a client list or blackmail schemes and insisted she never witnessed inappropriate behavior by high-profile figures associated with Epstein, including Trump and former President Bill Clinton. “Trump was a gentleman in all respects,” Maxwell claimed, while also asserting that Clinton had no independent relationship with Epstein. She further stated she had no involvement in recruiting underage girls for sexual purposes and disputed allegations that Epstein paid her large sums to keep quiet, saying the funds were used for investments and personal expenses.
The DOJ’s interview with Maxwell was part of an effort to address persistent public suspicion and conspiracy theories, particularly those fueled by Trump supporters. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, who led the interviews, sought to confront the controversy head-on, even as prosecutors have previously described Maxwell as a serial liar. Despite the two-day grilling, the transcripts provided little new insight, instead reinforcing Maxwell’s denials of any witnessed misconduct by prominent individuals, as noted by Politico.
Meanwhile, the Epstein estate appears willing to comply with the committee’s subpoena, according to reporting from CBS News. Still, the broader public remains skeptical, with many demanding more transparency and accountability from both the government and the estate. The Justice Department’s position remains firm: “No further disclosure [of information regarding Epstein] would be appropriate or warranted,” the agency stated in a memo last month.
The drama around the birthday book and the broader investigation has reignited debate across the political spectrum. Some lawmakers and members of the public on the right have accused the government of stonewalling and protecting elites, while others warn against fueling baseless conspiracy theories that distract from the actual evidence. Centrists and legal experts, meanwhile, have urged a careful, fact-based approach, emphasizing the importance of due process, the privacy rights of individuals named in documents, and the need for any new revelations to be handled responsibly.
For now, the House Oversight Committee’s subpoena represents the latest chapter in a saga that has gripped—and at times divided—the American public. Whether the birthday book and other subpoenaed documents will provide the answers so many have sought remains to be seen. But one thing’s certain: the Epstein case, even years after his death, continues to cast a long shadow over U.S. politics and society.
With the September 8 deadline fast approaching, all eyes are on the Epstein estate—and on Congress—as the quest for truth and accountability moves forward.
