President Donald Trump's assertion that he could appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files seems to have delighted one former federal prosecutor.
Joyce Vance, MSNBC legal analyst and law professor at the University of Alabama, wrote in a recent Substack essay that appointing a special counsel could easily become an enjoyable "unfolding drama."
So far, the Epstein files drama has seemingly forced Trump to confront an uncomfortable reality. As a presidential candidate, he used conspiracy theories to build a narrative about fighting the so-called deep state. The Epstein files were a central element of that, and several high-ranking administration officials like Attorney General Pam Bondi and F.B.I. Director Kash Patel helped spread that narrative.
Now that Trump is president, he seems to be realizing that the Epstein files are just as much of a political liability as it is a weapon.
"His voters don’t seem willing to forgive his about-face, although as with all things Trump, that could change," Vance wrote. "But the bottom-line truth Trump’s supporters know is that it would be easy for Donald Trump to order the list released, yet he hasn’t done it. Instead of dying down over time, the furor seems to be growing."
Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) has echoed the calls for a special counsel and even suggested that failed Attorney General candidate Matt Gaetz could serve in the role. Goetz was previously investigated for allegedly participating in a sex trafficking scheme of his own, but those charges were later dismissed.
GOP influencer Laura Loomer has also called for a special counsel.
While the story is far from over, Vance wrote that it seems likely to end entertainingly.
"Grab your popcorn, everyone, and let’s see where this leads," Vance wrote.
