Trump was just taught a 'lesson' after accidentally giving Epstein scandal new 'life': CNN
The arrest of ex-Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has highlighted a core issue the Department of Justice has yet to clarify regarding Jeffrey Epstein's files.
While all files, including email correspondence and logs, were ordered for release by the end of 2025, it is believed that millions of files are yet to be shared by the DoJ. CNN analyst Stephen Collinson believes the recent arrest of a Royal Family member will bring into question the DoJ's handling of the Epstein files.
He wrote, "The DOJ may be justified in insisting that there is insufficient evidence of wrongdoing to charge anyone with crimes over their ties to Epstein.
"This does not, however, address the core issues in the scandal. Even if prosecutions aren’t possible, what about an accounting for scores of women allegedly abused by Epstein? If there was a sex trafficking ring operating in the United States, shouldn’t the government be investigating it, if only to ensure it never happens again?
"And isn’t the country owed answers about the circle of rich and influential people who continued to associate with Epstein even after his 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor."
Donald Trump has spoken frequently of the Epstein files and has denied any involvement in the files when asked by reporters. This tactic, Collinson believes, is having the opposite effect to what the president wants.
Though Trump may want to move the focus away from the Epstein files, every time he tries to do so, he brings it back into focus. Collinson explained, "A recurring lesson of the Epstein saga is that each effort Trump makes to close it down only seems to give it new political life.
"Some Epstein survivors hope that Thursday’s stunning developments will fuel more disclosure in the US." Collinson also contrasts the US and UK responses to investigating those named in the Epstein files.
He wrote, "In the United Kingdom, the machinery of public investigation appears to be functioning as intended. It’s harder to make that claim with confidence in the US given the politicization of a justice system that has prosecuted President Donald Trump’s opponents and a president who pardoned hundreds of people convicted of crimes linked to the January 6, 2021, riot.
"The Trump DOJ had to be forced into every act of disclosure. And the only person offered legal relief so far is Ghislaine Maxwell, who gave testimony absolving the president of wrongdoing in his dealings with her former companion — and was moved to a more lenient prison to serve her sex crimes sentence."