Senator Elizabeth Warren, the top Democrat on the Senate Banking Committee, has formally asked Kevin Warsh to clarify whether he had any interactions with Jeffrey Epstein after Warsh’s name surfaced in documents linked to Epstein that were released earlier this year. Warren sent the letter on Wednesday evening seeking a detailed account of any contacts or connections.
The documents in question included communications by Epstein employees referencing a holiday party on the Caribbean island of St. Barthélemy in 2010, in which Warsh’s name appeared. Warren noted that it is unclear from those records "whether and to what extent you interacted with Mr. Epstein in association with the invitation referenced in this email exchange."
In her letter, Warren emphasized the need for Congress and the public to have a full understanding of the extent of any interactions or relationship between Warsh and Epstein as the Senate evaluates Warsh’s nomination to become chair of the Federal Reserve.
Warren also highlighted the timing of the communications that included Warsh’s name. She pointed out that those exchanges took place after Epstein had been convicted of sex crimes involving a minor and while he faced civil lawsuits alleging similar misconduct.
The senator, who serves as the ranking minority member of the Senate Banking Committee that will vet the nomination, asked Warsh to answer eight specific questions by March 31. Among the items she requested were confirmations of whether Warsh traveled to St. Barthélemy in late 2010 or early 2011, and whether he attended any social functions at which Epstein was present.
Warren also sought confirmation on whether Warsh had been in the presence of Ghislaine Maxwell, a close Epstein confidante who is currently imprisoned. The letter asked Warsh to state whether former President Donald Trump - who appears frequently in the government-released documents and was once associated with Epstein - attended any of the gatherings referenced in the files.
Beyond travel and attendance, Warren asked Warsh to provide any communications he had with individuals directly associated with Epstein and to list any other interactions with Epstein or Maxwell that are not captured in the files made available so far by the government.
Warsh did not immediately provide a response to requests for comment concerning Warren’s letter.
Kevin Warsh is a former Federal Reserve governor whose marriage connects him to the Lauder family fortune. He was nominated by President Trump to replace current Fed Chair Jerome Powell when Powell’s term ends in May.
The timetable for Warsh’s confirmation is already uncertain. A criminal investigation into the Federal Reserve and current Chair Jerome Powell has led Republican Senator Thom Tillis to say he will block Warsh’s confirmation until that probe is resolved. On Wednesday, Powell stated that he would remain as Fed chair until a successor is confirmed and that he would not leave the central bank while the Justice Department investigates him.
Key details requested by Senator Warren
- Confirmation of travel to St. Barthélemy in late 2010 or early 2011.
- Disclosure of attendance at social functions where Jeffrey Epstein was present.
- Confirmation of any presence with Ghislaine Maxwell and disclosure of communications with Epstein-associated individuals.