Congress convened a closed-door session with survivors of Jeffrey Epstein, during which Rep. Nancy Mace exited early, visibly shaken and in tears. She declined to comment to reporters as she left the building, sparking widespread speculation about the nature of the discussion. A video of her departure circulated online, prompting questions about what could have triggered such an intense reaction.
Mace later addressed the incident on her X account, disclosing that she experienced a panic attack after hearing survivors’ accounts. She attributed this to her own history of sexual assault, describing symptoms including sweating, hyperventilation, and shaking. “I can’t breathe,” she wrote. “I feel the immense pain of how hard all victims are fighting for themselves because we know absolutely no one will fight for us.”
The House Oversight Committee continued its investigation into Epstein’s case, with multiple survivors providing testimony. Details of their accounts remain undisclosed. Democratic lawmakers had advocated for the meeting, citing claims that survivors’ narratives were inadequately represented in Department of Justice records. The committee has also demanded documents from the DOJ, which began releasing them last month.
Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) emphasized the importance of listening to victims and pledged transparency in the inquiry. “We must hear from them, express our deep sympathy for their suffering, and ensure maximum transparency and justice for all involved,” he stated before the meeting.
