(Top L-R) Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna, Suhas Subramanyam. (Bottom L-R) Ami Bera, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Shri Thanedar / X (Top L-R) Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna, Suhas Subramanyam. (Bottom L-R) Ami Bera, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Shri Thanedar )

Indian American Democrats in Congress are intensifying calls for transparency following the release of a controversial birthday note allegedly penned by Donald Trump for convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. 

The letter, disclosed by the House Oversight Committee on Sept. 8 after being obtained from Epstein’s estate, has reopened questions about Trump’s past relationship with Epstein and renewed demands for the Justice Department to release all related files.

Also Read: House Democrats release alleged Trump birthday letter to Epstein

Representative Ro Khanna (D-CA), who had urged that Epstein’s “birthday book” be subpoenaed earlier this year, called the letter’s release “a step toward accountability and transparency.” 

I requested the birthday book from Epstein’s estate and pushed for it to be subpoenaed after reporting by @Lawrence. Releasing it is a step toward accountability and transparency. pic.twitter.com/TKJwaAG9SF

— Ro Khanna (@RoKhanna) September 9, 2025

Speaking to CNN, he said there was “no reason for us to doubt it” when asked about the authenticity of Trump’s signature. Khanna further argued that the discovery highlighted the need for the government to fully disclose the trove of documents connected to Epstein’s crimes.

Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi,(D-IL) said, “This is disturbing, disgusting, and extremely troubling,” accusing Trump of lying for years about the existence of the birthday note. “If he lied about this, what else is he hiding? The full Epstein files must be released now.”

Krishnamoorthi emphasized that survivors of Epstein’s abuse “deserve full transparency” and emphasized that large portions of the financier’s financial records—reportedly including over $1 billion in wire transfers—remain hidden from public view. 

This is disturbing, disgusting, and extremely troubling.

Trump didn’t just leave a salacious note in Epstein’s Birthday Book - he added a lewd drawing, then lied about it for years.

If he lied about this, what else is he hiding?

The full Epstein files must be released now. pic.twitter.com/h2lHhPOlQW

— Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (@CongressmanRaja) September 8, 2025

Representative Suhas Subramanyam, who serves as the Ranking Member of the Oversight Subcommittee on Military and Foreign Affairs, added that “no one is above the law” and accused Trump of shielding Epstein while blocking the release of critical records. 

No one is above the law. You should not be able to use your money and power to avoid justice. @OversightDems are holding President Trump accountable for shielding Epstein, his knowledge of his crimes, and blocking the release of the files. pic.twitter.com/xuTrLkM0lq

— Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) (@RepSuhas) September 8, 2025

Representative Pramila Jayapal also weighed in, saying Trump’s denial had been exposed. “Trump said it didn’t exist, but here it is. Thank you @OversightDems for proving he is lying. And if he’s lying about this, what else is he lying about?” she wrote on X, adding that it was clear why he opposed releasing the files.

Trump said it didn’t exist, but here it is. Thank you @OversightDems for proving he is lying. And if he’s lying about this, what else is he lying about? Makes it clear why he is so opposed to releasing these files…. https://t.co/b9xxibmEWb

— Rep. Pramila Jayapal (@RepJayapal) September 8, 2025

Representative Shri Thanedar, who has signed a discharge petition demanding that all Epstein files be made public, said Trump’s denials no longer hold. “Trump said this was ‘fake news,’ but it’s not. He said he wasn’t in the files, but he is. He’s hiding something big, and it’s time we uncover the truth,” he remarked.

Trump said this was "fake news," but it's not.

He said he wasn't in the files, but he is.

He's hiding something big, and it's time we uncover the truth. https://t.co/9UQXNLLMGp

— Congressman Shri Thanedar (@RepShriThanedar) September 8, 2025

The letter at the center of the uproar is part of Epstein’s 2003 birthday album, which was curated by Ghislaine Maxwell. It contains a crude outline of a naked woman’s body with a stylized dialogue attributed to Trump and Epstein. 

The passage concludes with Trump’s purported note: “A pal is a wonderful thing. Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret,” alongside what appears to be Trump’s signature. The Wall Street Journal had first reported on the letter’s existence in July, prompting Trump to sue the paper’s parent company, News Corp., for defamation.

The White House quickly dismissed the release as fraudulent. Deputy chief of staff Taylor Budowich insisted the note was not genuine, declaring on X: “Time for @newscorp to open that checkbook, it’s not his signature. DEFAMATION!” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also echoed the denial, accusing Democrats of orchestrating a “fake scandal.”

The letter was written three years before allegations of Epstein’s sexual abuse became public. Epstein later died by suicide in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Although Republicans on the Oversight Committee released more than 33,000 pages of documents last week in a bid to stave off bipartisan demands for further disclosures, survivors and several lawmakers insist that crucial records remain concealed.