WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal announced Sunday that she will host Epstein survivor Marijke Chartouni as her guest at the upcoming State of the Union address, even though she will not attend the president’s speech herself. Jayapal said she wants to ensure survivors of Jeffrey Epstein are represented in the chamber as lawmakers gather for the annual address. Her decision comes amid renewed scrutiny over the federal government’s handling of the Epstein investigation and related files.

Jayapal, a Democrat from Washington state, said she will skip this year’s State of the Union but will send a clear message by inviting Chartouni to attend in her place.

“While I will not be attending this year’s State of the Union, I am glad to be hosting Marijke to ensure that survivors of Epstein’s horrific abuse are in the room,” Jayapal said in a statement. Jayapal praised Chartouni and other survivors for their resilience and courage. She said lawmakers must not forget the ongoing fight for justice.

“The fight for truth will not end until the perpetrators and enablers of these crimes are held accountable,” Jayapal said.

The invitation places Epstein survivors at the center of a high-profile national event. It also underscores growing calls for transparency and accountability in the long-running case.

Chartouni has publicly identified as a survivor of Epstein’s abuse. She appeared in the documentary “Surviving Jeffrey Epstein,” which detailed allegations against the financier and the network around him. She said efforts to hold those responsible accountable have stalled.

“Thirty years after the FBI first ignored reports of Epstein’s crimes, Pam Bondi’s Justice Department continues to fiddle rather than hold perpetrators to account — even as other countries act decisively,” Chartouni said in a statement. She added that she will attend the address to remind leaders in the House, Senate, and executive branch that survivors will not stay silent.

“This injustice cannot be buried, and we will continue to make our voices heard, at every opportunity, until there is truth and accountability for every survivor of Epstein and his ring,” she said.

Her remarks highlight frustration among survivors who say federal authorities have failed to act decisively.

The Epstein case has drawn years of criticism over how federal agencies handled investigations and court proceedings. Epstein faced federal sex trafficking charges before he died in jail in 2019. His death fueled widespread questions and conspiracy theories.

In recent months, lawmakers have intensified oversight of the Justice Department’s handling of Epstein-related files. Survivors and advocates have demanded greater transparency and stronger protections for victims. Earlier this month, Jayapal joined Reps. Jamie Raskin and Robert Garcia are urging the Department of Justice to end what they described as secret surveillance of lawmakers reviewing Epstein-related materials.

Jayapal also pressed Attorney General Pam Bondi during a House Judiciary Committee hearing. She asked Bondi to apologize directly to survivors after the department released files that exposed private victim information without proper redactions. Jayapal has shared letters from survivors who criticized the Justice Department’s actions. She has said publicly that she will continue pushing for justice and recognition for those harmed.

The State of the Union address brings together members of Congress, Supreme Court justices, and guests. Lawmakers often use guest invitations to highlight policy priorities or personal stories tied to national issues. By inviting Chartouni, Jayapal shifts the focus to survivors’ rights and government accountability. The move also signals that the Epstein case remains a live political issue. Survivors continue to call for full disclosure of investigative records and for prosecution of anyone who enabled Epstein’s crimes. They argue that more than a decade after his arrest and years after his death, many questions remain unanswered.