Victoria's Secret founder Les Wexner testified under oath Wednesday that federal law enforcement never interviewed him about his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, despite their well-documented close business ties.

During a House Oversight Committee deposition in New Albany, Ohio, Wexner said he had never been contacted by the FBI or Department of Justice regarding Epstein's activities or investigations.

"Has the FBI or DOJ ever directly contacted you or spoken to you about Epstein?" Wexner was asked.

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"Never," Wexner said during the recorded testimony that aired on C-SPAN.

When asked if he spoke to any law enforcement agency about Epstein's 2019 investigation in New York, Wexner again responded: "Never. I don't remember ever talking to any law enforcement agency."

The deposition comes after recently released FBI files alleged Wexner interacted with young women in Epstein's presence. Only Democratic members of the House Oversight Committee participated in the questioning, with some Republican staff members present.

Democrats expressed dissatisfaction with Wexner's responses, saying they felt he was not being sufficiently forthcoming during the closed-door session.

The committee also used the opportunity to criticize the Trump administration's handling of the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Democrats claim over 50% of Epstein-related documents have not been released to the public or Congress.

"Donald Trump and Pam Bondi are leading a White House cover-up to protect billionaire wealthy benefactors, whether it's Mr. Wexner or whether it's anybody else," said Rep. Robert Garcia, ranking member of the committee.

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Wexner's testimony is part of ongoing congressional investigations into Epstein's network of associates. The committee has scheduled depositions with Bill and Hillary Clinton for next week at their Chappaqua, New York home.

The Epstein controversy continues to generate headlines as New Mexico's Attorney General has reopened an investigation into Epstein's former Zorro ranch after reviewing recently released FBI files. The ranch was allegedly used for sex trafficking of underage girls.

The Senate reached a deal Thursday night to fund the Department of Homeland Security for just two weeks as lawmakers raced to avoid a partial government shutdown, but they left without voting to advance it. Democrats say the agreement marks progress in the latest political fight gripping Washington over funding for ICE.

A government shutdown appears increasingly likely as funding expires at midnight Friday, with House Speaker Mike Johnson telling reporters the House will not return to Washington until Monday. This means there will be at least a short-term government shutdown through the weekend.

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The Senate is expected to return to the Capitol Friday evening to vote on five of the six remaining annual government funding bills, along with the two-week extension for DHS funding.

Democrats push for ICE reforms

Democrats have made clear since last weekend's shooting of Alex Pretti in Minnesota that they want major changes to the Department of Homeland Security, specifically to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Their proposals include banning masks for agents, requiring body cameras and identification, and ending some roving patrols seen throughout mostly Democrat-run cities like Minneapolis.

"I wish we'd have seen movement from our Republican friends beforehand," said Sen. Mark Warner, a Virginia Democrat. "We knew this was going to be an enormous issue after the activity over the last few weeks in Minneapolis, particularly after the second killing. Let's get this done, have a path towards reforms and move forward."

Republican support uncertain

While President Donald Trump reached the agreement with Senate Democrats to give them two weeks for broader discussions, it's unclear whether many Republicans support the proposed changes to ICE and DHS.

However, Sen. Lindsey Graham, a close Trump ally, expressed openness to some reforms.

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"I think Democrats are wanting some reforms that make sense to me," Graham said. "Body cameras, making ICE more like other agencies. But that's the Band-Aid. I'm willing to entertain some reforms to make sure that we rein in ICE appropriately and make it more professional."

Noem impeachment threat

Three-quarters of House Democrats have signed articles of impeachment against DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

"We intend to proceed with impeachment proceedings if Kristi Noem is not fired," Jeffries said. "She's got to go. We are dead serious. She needs to be put on ice permanently."

However, Democrats indicated that Noem's removal alone would not satisfy their demands, as they worry about potential replacements. No Republican House members have indicated they would support impeachment proceedings.

The major question remains whether the Trump administration will tell agencies to continue operations and pay employees during any brief funding lapse, or whether Americans will experience disruption from a partial government shutdown.

More Democrats in Congress now signal they will vote against a bill to fund DHS, increasing the risk of a partial government shutdown following the weekend killing of Alex Pretti, who was shot by a U.S. Border Patrol officer in Minneapolis.

Six bills must still pass in the Senate to avert the shutdown. Most now have bipartisan support but Democrats are increasingly opposed to one, dealing with funding for DHS.

The vast majority of Democrats in the Senate have said that they will not vote to pass that bill as it stands.

The bill includes an additional $20 million for body cameras for ICE and Customs and Border Protection officers, as well as mandatory de-escalation training for both agencies.

While the legislation included some compromises related to ICE and immigration enforcement funding, Democrats were unable to secure limits on how ICE could use certain funds. Those restrictions would have placed guardrails on the agencys use of force and enforcement operations.

Lawmakers have until Jan. 30 to approve funding to avoid a partial government shutdown.

RELATED STORY | Government shutdown risk grows as DHS funding stalls after fatal Minnesota shooting

Whats happening in Minnesota is appalling and unacceptable in any American city," Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said. "Democrats sought common sense reforms in the Department of Homeland Security spending bill, but because of Republicans refusal to stand up to President Trump, the DHS bill is woefully inadequate to rein in the abuses of ICE. I will vote no."

Meanwhile, some Republican senators have called for investigation into ICE and DHS conduct in Minnesota. Sen. John Curtis (R-UT) wrote on social media that he would spearhead a bipartisan effort "to demand real oversight and transparency" from DHS.

Saturdays shooting marked the second fatal shooting by immigration enforcement agents in the Minneapolis area this month. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey urged ICE to end its heightened enforcement activity in the region.

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