Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Congressman James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11) announced today that he will host Jess Michaels, a survivor of sexual assault by Jeffrey Epstein and a survivor advocate, as his guest for President Donald Trump’s State of the Union Address on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.

“For far too long, truth has been buried, survivors have been silenced, and powerful people have been protected. And I can’t help but wonder…does our government belong to the American people or to those who prey on them?” said Jess Michaels.

“For years, Jeffrey Epstein built a system of abuse that relied on powerful allies and enablers who helped him hide in plain sight and kept survivors from being heard,” said Rep. Walkinshaw. “The truth is coming to light because survivors of Epstein’s abuse have shown extraordinary courage and refused to be silenced. I’m honored to host Jess Michaels as my State of the Union guest, and I’m grateful she accepted my invitation.”

Walkinshaw said the courage shown by Epstein’s survivors is a reminder of the strength of survivors across America who are still fighting to be heard. “Survivors live in every community, including right here in Northern Virginia,” Walkinshaw said. “Our responsibility is to listen, support, and pursue accountability, no matter how powerful the perpetrator is.”

Walkinshaw criticized the Trump administration’s refusal to release the full Epstein files, despite the legal requirement to do so. “Survivors and the public deserve the full truth,” Walkinshaw said. “President Trump has shown a disturbing disregard for survivors, and his Administration’s refusal to release the full Epstein files only reinforces that. Jess chose courage. If the people blocking transparency chose courage too, we would not still be fighting to bring the full truth into the light.”

“This State of the Union address is on the world stage, and anyone watching tonight who may have known about Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse or participated in it should hear this clearly. The wall of privilege is only beginning to crack, and we will not stop until there is real justice and accountability. Justice cannot be reserved for the well connected, and no one is above the law,” Walkinshaw added.

Jess Michaels is a TEDx speaker, survivor-advocate, and founder of 3Joannes, Inc., where she created 3Js Sexual Assault First Aid Kit™ and the #WithYouToo Social Safety app.

Throughout his career, Walkinshaw has made protecting survivors a top priority. In Fairfax County, he helped create the “Make the Call” campaign and chaired the Council to End Domestic Violence. In Congress, he is working to strengthen and reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act and protect survivors’ rights, including for underserved and non-citizen survivors. On his first day in Congress, he signed the discharge petition to force a House vote to release the Epstein files after Republicans refused to bring it to the floor.

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