Democrat Virgin Islands Del. Stacey Plaskett claimed on Tuesday that she was texting convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during a 2019 hearing because he was a “constituent” and not, at the time, under federal investigation.

It was recently revealed that Plaskett was texting Epstein in real-time during a congressional hearing with former Trump attorney-turned-adversary Michael Cohen. Epstein was texting Plaskett information to seemingly go after President Donald Trump. 

“I got a text from Jeffrey Epstein, who at the time was my constituent,” Plaskett said, defending herself on Tuesday. “[It] was not public knowledge at that time that he was under federal investigation, and … was sharing information with me.”

During the hearing, Epstein told Plaskett to question Cohen about the president’s former executive assistant. Plaskett notably frets over not understanding the person’s name and tells Epstein that she’s “up next.”

Minutes after Plaskett brings up the assistant’s name as she was told, Epstein texts Plaskett, “Good work.”

“New Epstein files show [Stacey Plaskett] got real-time help via text messages from Jeffrey Epstein on how to hurt Trump during 2019 congressional hearing with former Trump attorney,” journalist Michael Shellenberger captioned video of the newly uncovered incident.

The same day as Plaskett’s jarring defense of her actions, the House rejected a Democrat bid to stop a resolution to censure Plaskett.

“Delegate Plaskett’s willingness to receive instructions on official congressional proceedings from Epstein, a convicted felony sex offender with deeply concerning international associations, is especially alarming and inappropriate given her own past service in the U.S. Department of Justice and her current role on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence,” the resolution, which was introduced by GOP Rep. Ralph Norman (SC), reads.

The resolution will likely be considered sometime this week.

“Jeffrey Epstein was a predator who exploited minors,” Norman said. “The idea that any Member of Congress would coordinate with him on official proceedings is beyond comprehension.”

“This was not casual contact,” he added. “These were deliberate communications that shaped part of a hearing designed to attack President Trump. It raises serious questions about judgment, integrity, and fitness to serve.”

Related: Senate Unanimously Votes To Release The Epstein Files, Sending Bill To Trump’s Desk