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Congressman Ro Khanna discusses the redacted Epstein files and calls for transparency and accountability from powerful figures involved in the case.
Past tense with time markers — The speech uses simple and perfect past to narrate recent events. "Yesterday Congressman Massie and I went to the Department of Justice to read the unredacted Epstein files." This anchors the narrative and is repeated throughout.
Rhetorical questions for emphasis — Khanna uses questions to build persuasive force rather than seek answers. "Why did it take Thomas Massie and myself going to the Justice Department to get these six men's identities to become public?" emphasizes institutional failure.
Conditional statements — "If we found six men that they were hiding in two hours, imagine how many men they are covering up for in those 3 million files." The if-clause sets up a hypothetical to strengthen his argument about scale of the problem.
This video features Congressman Ro Khanna delivering a speech on the House floor about the Epstein files transparency scandal. He recounts visiting the Department of Justice with Congressman Massie to examine unredacted files, only to discover that 70–80% remained hidden and six wealthy, powerful men were deliberately concealed. The concrete detail that stands out is their confrontation with the DOJ, which led to the revelation of these men's identities. Khanna connects this to broader systemic corruption, discussing how survivors' statements naming powerful visitors to Epstein's properties remain redacted despite the Epstein Transparency Act.
This is excellent shadowing material because Khanna speaks at a measured, deliberate pace with clear American English pronunciation. His delivery is formal but passionate, with well-structured sentences and natural pauses that allow learners to follow and repeat without rushing. He uses accessible vocabulary mixed with some higher-register terms like "co-conspirator" and "accountability," making it suitable for B1 learners building confidence with more complex civic language.
The video suits learners at B1 level who are comfortable with past tense narratives and want exposure to persuasive political speech. Shadowing will help you internalize patterns of formal English, improve prosody and stress patterns in longer sentences, and gain practical vocabulary around governance, justice, and accountability. The repetition of key phrases like "Why are they protecting" and "We need to ask ourselves" provides natural anchors for practice.
scrubbed files — files that have been deliberately cleaned or edited to remove sensitive information. "The FBI sent scrubbed files."
called to account — held responsible and required to answer for one's actions. "Are we going to call them to account?"
break the law — commit an illegal act. "Rich and powerful people who broke the law."
have a stake in this country — have a personal investment or interest in the nation's wellbeing. "Every American has a stake in this country."
two tiers of justice — a system where wealthy and ordinary people are treated unequally. "It's about two tiers of justice in America."
work for the rich and powerful — operate in a way that benefits the wealthy rather than ordinary citizens. "This country seems to be working for the rich and powerful, but it's not working for ordinary workingclass Americans."
