President Donald Trump tied disgraced former British royal Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to the late convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein during a 2015 interview, advising reporters to question &#8220;Prince Andrew&#8221; if they wanted to know what went on at Epstein&#8217;s notorious private island.
Trump, who was asked to comment on Epstein, said at the time that it was clear the disgraced financier had &#8220;a problem&#8221; — and that Andrew, who has since been stripped of his royal title and status, was in a position to know more about Epstein&#8217;s behaviors than most.
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🚨 FLASHBACK: President Trump calling out Prince Andrew 11 years ago!
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— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) <a href="https://twitter.com/Breaking911/status/2024484363950248448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2026</a></blockquote>
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&#8220;You raised the question of Jeffrey Epstein in your remarks about her — in the Q &amp; A with Sean,&#8221; a reporter said.
&#8220;Well, I think he’s got a problem,&#8221; Trump replied. &#8220;I mean, I’m hearing —&#8221;
&#8220;What do you think the problem will be?&#8221; the reporter pressed.
&#8220;I don’t know, but that island was really a cesspool,&#8221; Trump said. &#8220;There’s no question about it, just ask Prince Andrew. He’ll tell you about it. The island was an absolute cesspool.&#8221;
Within the next few years, Epstein became the subject of a federal investigation into child-sex trafficking and was ultimately arrested and jailed in New York City. The investigation dug into Epstein&#8217;s powerful connections, in addition to a previous sweetheart plea deal Epstein had secured in Florida in 2008 — which allowed him to plead to lesser state offenses and avoid federal sex trafficking charges.
According to a 2019 ruling, however, the plea deal was a violation of the Crime Victims&#8217; Rights Act because the victims were not informed when it was struck.
Epstein died that same year by suicide in a jail cell in New York City&#8217;s Metropolitan Correctional Center, but the investigation into his network and powerful connections continued. His longtime partner Ghislaine Maxwell was tried and convicted of sex trafficking.
Mountbatten-Windsor, in the years that followed, was stripped of his titles and royal duties. And on the morning of his 66th birthday — February 19, 2026 — he was <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/former-prince-andrew-arrested-over-epstein-files-faces-life-in-prison">arrested</a> by British law enforcement officers who accused him of misconduct while serving in public office in connection with his ties to Epstein. Reports suggest that he could face life in prison, if convicted.
King Charles issued a rare public statement following the arrest, saying, &#8220;Let me state clearly: the law must take its course. As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter.&#8221;
President Trump also addressed Mountbatten-Windsor&#8217;s arrest, saying that it was a horrible thing for the royal family as a whole.
Saying that the document releases thus far have &#8220;totally exonerated&#8221; him, Trump made it clear that he felt bad for Britain&#8217;s King Charles — a &#8220;fantastic man&#8221; — to have to deal with the fallout of Andrew&#8217;s ties to Epstein.
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President Trump on Prince Andrew arrest &#8211; It’s a shame <a href="https://t.co/sDMnBTOL46">pic.twitter.com/sDMnBTOL46</a>
— Karli Bonne’ 🇺🇸 (@KarluskaP) <a href="https://twitter.com/KarluskaP/status/2024576309465125146?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 19, 2026</a></blockquote>
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Andrew Mountbatten Windsor

THROWBACK THURSDAY: Watch Trump Toss Prince Andrew Under Epstein Bus 11 Years Ago

Donald Trump

Epstein Files

Great Britain

Jeffrey Epstein

Politics

Prince Andrew

Sex Trafficking

British police arrested former Prince Andrew on Thursday in connection with his ties to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. 
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who turned 66 on the day of his arrest, was taken into custody by the Thames Valley Police on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The disgraced former prince was <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/prince-andrew-will-be-stripped-of-titles-moved-out-of-royal-residence-buckingham-palace">stripped</a> of his royal titles in October 2025 following revelations about his ties to Epstein. 
Police provided limited details about the arrest, citing British law, but said they were conducting searches at homes in Berkshire and Norfolk. According to the BBC, law enforcement said &#8220;it was assessing a complaint over the alleged sharing of confidential material&#8221; with Epstein. This confidential material <a href="https://nypost.com/2026/02/19/world-news/ex-prince-andrew-mountbatten-arrested-for-misconduct-in-public-office-over-his-links-to-jeffrey-epstein/">reportedly</a> included trade documents. One <a href="https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00751685.pdf">email</a> from the Epstein files released by the Justice Department showed Mountbatten-Windsor appearing to forward Epstein official trade reports for Hong Kong, Singapore, and Vietnam. 
“We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time,” Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said. “Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office.”
If convicted, Mountbatten-Windsor could face life in prison. 
<div id="attachment_1046207" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1046207" class="size-full wp-image-1046207" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/GettyImages-52107904.jpg" alt="ASCOT, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 22: Royal Ascot Race Meeting Thursday - Ladies Day. Prince Andrew, The Duke Of York and Jeffrey Epstein (far right) At Ascot. With them are Edward (far left) and Caroline Stanley (in pink), the Earl and Countess of Derby. " width="1024" height="672" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/GettyImages-52107904.jpg 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/GettyImages-52107904-300x197.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/GettyImages-52107904-878x576.jpg 878w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/GettyImages-52107904-768x504.jpg 768w" sizes=" (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />Credit: Photo by Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images.</div>
Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre, who died by apparent suicide last year, alleged that Mountbatten-Windsor sexually abused her when she was 17. He previously <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-60667111">settled</a> a civil lawsuit brought by Giuffre in 2022 without admitting wrongdoing.
“He knows what he’s done and he can attest to that,” Giuffre said in 2019. “He knows exactly what he’s done and I hope he comes clean about it.”
Giuffre&#8217;s family welcomed the arrest.
&#8220;Today, our broken hearts have been lifted at the news that no one is above the law, not even royalty,&#8221; they said. &#8220;He was never a prince.&#8221;
&#8220;For survivors everywhere, Virginia did this for you,” they added. 
In a statement, King Charles III called for a fair investigation into Mountbatten-Windsor. 
 &#8220;I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office. What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities,” he said. 
&#8220;In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation,” the king added. “Let me state clearly: the law must take its course. As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter. Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all.”
The Justice Department&#8217;s release of the Epstein files has rocked the United Kingdom, increasing pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer over reported ties between former U.K. ambassador to the United States Lord Peter Mandelson and Epstein.

The Funeral Of The Duchess Of Kent

Former Prince Andrew Arrested Over Epstein Files, Faces Life In Prison

Crime

King Charles III

United Kingdom

Virginia Giuffre

World

&#8220;The View&#8221; host Whoopi Goldberg attempted to shrug off her own appearance in recently-released documents related to the late convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, claiming during a Tuesday broadcast that she was &#8220;too old&#8221; for his tastes.
Goldberg, who reportedly reached out to the disgraced financier with a request to borrow his jet, argued on Tuesday that she &#8220;wasn&#8217;t his friend&#8221; and complained that people were making claims linking her to Epstein without first getting all the facts.
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After two weeks of silence, The View finally addresses Whoopi Goldberg being in the Epstein files and seemingly requesting to borrow his jet.
JOY BEHAR: Anybody can be on this list.
WHOOPI GOLDBERG: Anybody. Well, this is my point. Because, I&#8217;m telling you when I tell you… <a href="https://t.co/7vBqpKFTHD">pic.twitter.com/7vBqpKFTHD</a>
— Nicholas Fondacaro (@NickFondacaro) <a href="https://twitter.com/NickFondacaro/status/2023796105427759321?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 17, 2026</a></blockquote>
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&#8220;Now, in the name of transparency &#8230; my name is in the files,&#8221; Goldberg said, beginning the segment by showing an email that linked her to Epstein. &#8220;Yes! And what does it say? It says, &#8216;Whoopi needs a plane to get to Monaco.'&#8221;
She explained that she&#8217;d been trying to get to a charity event and had simply needed to find transportation.
&#8220;So, in other words, anybody can be on this list,&#8221; co-host Joy Behar said.
&#8220;Anybody — well, this is my point. Because I&#8217;m telling you when I tell you people are trying to turn me into — I wasn&#8217;t his girlfriend. I wasn&#8217;t his friend,&#8221; Goldberg said.
&#8220;You were too old for him,&#8221; co-host Sara Haines joked.
&#8220;I was not only too old, but it was at a time, you know, where this is just not — you used to have to have facts before you said stuff,&#8221; Goldberg — who was suspended for saying that the Holocaust was &#8220;not about race&#8221; and suggested Dr. (Ed.) Jill Biden would be an excellent Surgeon General — complained.
Behar quickly flipped the conversation to attack President Donald Trump, adding, &#8220;But Trump is on the list 38,000 times. Come on!&#8221;
&#8220;Well, I can&#8217;t speak to him, but I&#8217;m speaking about me because I&#8217;m getting dragged,&#8221; Goldberg continued. &#8220;People actually believe that I was with him. It&#8217;s like, honey, come on.&#8221;
Haines suggested that people were just looking for scapegoats in the list of names recently connected to Epstein — some of whom, such as Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe, were already dead.
&#8220;They dropped like 300 names and it&#8217;s like flood the zone because when you look in there, there&#8217;s people like Marilyn Monroe, who was dead &#8230; because a lot of the reasons your name can be mentioned are news articles, third party emails, contacts, again, wealthy, famous people often cross in professional and social circles, so that&#8217;s not the surprising part,&#8221; she said.
Despite defending Goldberg&#8217;s connection to Epstein as simply the result of &#8220;wealthy, famous people&#8221; traveling in similar orbits, it did not appear to occur to anyone at the table that Trump — who also qualifies as a &#8220;wealthy, famous&#8221; person — might be able to explain his own appearance in the Epstein documents the same way.

Whoopi Goldberg

Whoopi Responds After Name Surfaces In Epstein Docs — See How She Explains It

Whoopi Shrugs Off Appearance In Epstein Docs, Claims She Was 'Too Old' For Him

Media

The View

Illinois businessman Thomas Pritzker said Monday he was stepping down from his executive position at the Hyatt hotel corporation over his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell. 
Emails released by the Justice Department show Pritzker corresponding with Epstein in the years after his 2008 convictions for solicitation of prostitution and solicitation of a minor. Pritzker is the cousin of Democratic Governor JB Pritzker and has been the executive chair of Hyatt for over two decades. 
“Good stewardship also means protecting Hyatt, particularly in the context of my association with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell which I deeply regret. I exercised terrible judgment in maintaining contact with them, and there is no excuse for failing to distance myself sooner,” Pritzker said in a <a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260216864815/en/Tom-Pritzker-Retires-as-Executive-Chairman-of-Hyatt-After-22-Years-of-Service-and-Will-Not-Stand-for-Reelection-to-Board-of-Directors">news release</a>. “I condemn the actions and the harm caused by Epstein and Maxwell and I feel deep sorrow for the pain they inflicted on their victims.”
In a letter to the Hyatt board on Monday, Pritzker said he would not seek to continue as executive chair after his term ends in June 2026. 
“When I look at my care for Hyatt, my respect for good governance and the focus that [my wife] and I have on our legacy, they all lead me to conclude that what is right for Hyatt and for me is that I retire as Executive Chairman of Hyatt effective immediately and not stand for reelection at our 2026 annual shareholder’s meeting,” he wrote in the letter. 
The announcement came after emails showed him corresponding with Epstein about a variety of topics. In one email from May 2012, Pritzker boasted to Epstein about attending an apparent dinner with high-ranking Chinese officials. 
“It was beyond awesome. I should have pushed you to go,” Pritzker <a href="https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00712657.pdf">wrote</a>. “Hot sh*t in a cool place.”
Another email exchange from July 2012 included Pritzker <a href="https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00629316.pdf">telling</a> Epstein, “Still at same coordinates. Took a bath this week,” and “more good news. Expect to take a bath again next week.”
Other emails included in the Justice Department Epstein files include emails between Epstein and his associates <a href="https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2011/EFTA02441069.pdf">scheduling calls</a> and <a href="https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2011/EFTA02246837.pdf">appointments</a> between Pritzker and Epstein. 
Hyatt praised Pritzker in a statement following his announcement. 
“Tom’s leadership has been instrumental in shaping Hyatt’s strategy and long-term growth, and we thank him for his service and dedication to Hyatt,” said Richard Tuttle, the chair of Hyatt’s nominating and corporate governance committee.
Over the years, Pritzker made significant <a href="https://www.fec.gov/data/receipts/individual-contributions/?contributor_name=Thomas+Pritzker">political contributions</a> to both Democratic and Republican political candidates, including former President Barack Obama, John McCain, Mitt Romney, Senator Cory Booker (D-NY), and Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR). 
The release of the Epstein files has led to a shakeup in the business and political world. 
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/keir-starmer-in-hot-seat-after-admitting-he-knew-appointee-was-close-to-epstein">faced pressure</a> after emails shed new light on the relationship between former U.S. Ambassador Lord Peter Mandelson and Epstein. Last week, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/top-obama-white-house-lawyer-out-at-goldman-sachs-after-cozy-uncle-jeffrey-emails-with-epstein?author=Leif+Le+Mahieu&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=SEE+IT%3A+‘Uncle+Jeffrey%2C’+Birthday+Wishes+And+‘Xo’+Emails+Rock+Obama-Era+Insider">Kathryn Ruemmler</a>, Obama’s longest-serving White House counsel, announced that she would be leaving Goldman Sachs after emails revealed her cozy relationship with Epstein.
The Trump administration has also <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-cabinet-secretary-confirms-he-visited-epsteins-island-with-wife-and-children-in-2012">faced questions</a> after Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told senators last week that he visited Epstein’s Little Saint James Island with his wife and children in 2012.

MixCollage-17-Feb-2026-10-17-AM-917

Epstein Fallout Forces Top Hotel Exec To Leave — He’s JB Pritzker’s Cousin

'Terrible Judgement': Top Illinois Hotel Exec Exiting Position Over Epstein Ties

Department of Justice

Ghislaine Maxwell

Illinois

JB Pritzker

President Donald Trump is barely into his second year of his second term, and Democrats and the legacy media are still pulling out all the stops to cast doubt on the people he has chosen to serve as Cabinet members across his administration.
For those who don&#8217;t spend their Sunday mornings glued to the television — and their Sunday afternoons attempting to dig through a week&#8217;s worth of network and cable news media spin — The Daily Wire has compiled a short summary of what you may have missed.
There was no shortage of breaking news on Sunday — from coverage of the Winter Olympics to the latest on the suspected kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie — but that didn&#8217;t stop the Sunday political talk shows from focusing on a few key members of the president Trump&#8217;s Cabinet. Several high profile politicians took to the airwaves to express their concern in the ability of certain Cabinet members to carry out their responsibilities.
On ABC&#8217;s &#8220;This Week,&#8221; host Martha Raddatz spoke with Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) about a combative exchange he&#8217;d had with Attorney General Pam Bondi earlier in the week, and asked whether he still had &#8220;confidence&#8221; in her ability to serve in that particular role.
&#8220;I don’t think Pam Bondi has confidence in Pam Bondi,&#8221; Massie said. &#8220;She wasn&#8217;t confident to engage in anything but name-calling in the hearing, so no, I don&#8217;t have confidence in her. She doesn&#8217;t have any sort of accountability there at the DOJ.&#8221;
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When asked by ABC News’ Martha Raddatz whether he has confidence in Pam Bondi as attorney general, Rep. Massie responded: “I don’t think Pam Bondi has confidence in Pam Bondi.” <a href="https://t.co/v6q311NGOu">https://t.co/v6q311NGOu</a> <a href="https://t.co/vqhcQ9kV3r">pic.twitter.com/vqhcQ9kV3r</a>
— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ThisWeekABC/status/2023055290904543673?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 15, 2026</a></blockquote>
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At Raddatz&#8217;s suggestion, Massie went on to criticize Bondi for failing to address the victims of convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, some of whom were present in the Capitol Hill hearing — and he argued that it was &#8220;cold&#8221; on her part and that she may have been afraid to do so.
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Rep. Thomas Massie reacts to the image of Attorney General Pam Bondi not looking at the Epstein victims behind her during a hearing: “I think she was afraid to.” <a href="https://t.co/eiC9PK4xdH">https://t.co/eiC9PK4xdH</a> <a href="https://t.co/FgRK4lyPiS">pic.twitter.com/FgRK4lyPiS</a>
— This Week (@ThisWeekABC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ThisWeekABC/status/2023052573532447151?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 15, 2026</a></blockquote>
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On CBS News, &#8220;Face the Nation&#8221; host Margaret Brennan pressed Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA) to weigh in on discrepancies between previous admissions made by Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and information that has come out of the recently-released Epstein-related documents.
Garcia said that he and some others in Congress would like to speak with Lutnick — who has conceded that he had &#8220;limited interactions&#8221; with Epstein — but that he&#8217;s gotten no response from Republicans on how and when that might come about.
&#8220;Not only did [Lutnick] visit the island, he had tons of communication with Jeffrey Epstein after it was already known that Jeffrey Epstein was essentially convicted for preying on children. So, it is shameful that he is actually in our government. He should not be the commerce secretary. He should come talk to the Oversight Committee,&#8221; Garcia said.
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Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA) says the House Oversight Committee has asked Republican Chairman James Comer (R-KY) to “bring in [Commerce Secretary] Lutnick” for questioning on his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, but “have had no response.”
“Not only did… <a href="https://t.co/PSkJpmwOpN">pic.twitter.com/PSkJpmwOpN</a>
— Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) <a href="https://twitter.com/FaceTheNation/status/2023094193409646947?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 15, 2026</a></blockquote>
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Credit: @FaceTheNation/X.com
CNN anchor Jake Tapper raised the question regarding Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, asking several guests about recent comments she made on making sure &#8220;the right people&#8221; were voting in American elections.
Noem herself explained that she was talking about the role played by the Department of Homeland Security in ensuring that elections were secure — primarily by preventing illegal aliens from remaining in the United States and voting in American elections — and accused media personalities of &#8220;manufacturing&#8221; outrage over something that should have been straightforward.
&#8220;It must be exhausting to regularly manufacture outrage even over the most commonsense statement,&#8221; she said.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer responded to Noem&#8217;s statement, saying, &#8220;That&#8217;s a lot of bull.&#8221;
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&#8220;That&#8217;s a lot of bull.&#8221;
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer reacts to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem&#8217;s comments about making sure &#8220;we have the right people voting, electing the right leaders.&#8221; <a href="https://t.co/6bjFePUPBr">pic.twitter.com/6bjFePUPBr</a>
— State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) <a href="https://twitter.com/CNNSOTU/status/2023039537056788898?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 15, 2026</a></blockquote>
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Credit: @CNNSOTU/X.com
Tapper pressed Border Czar Tom Homan to answer for Noem as well, but he wasn&#8217;t having it. Instead, he told Tapper that he&#8217;d have to ask Noem directly if he wanted to know what she&#8217;d meant.
&#8220;That would be a question for the secretary&#8230; That would be something she&#8217;d have to answer,&#8221; Homan said, later adding, &#8220;Do me and Secretary Noem agree on everything? No &#8230; It&#8217;s one team, one fight. I&#8217;m not going to divide this administration.&#8221;
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TAPPER: &#8220;What does [Noem] mean when she says &#8216;electing the right leaders&#8217;? That&#8217;s not really immigration enforcement or DHS responsibility.&#8221;
HOMAN: &#8220;I don&#8217;t know. That would be a question for the secretary&#8230; That would be something she&#8217;d have to answer.&#8221; <a href="https://t.co/Btz1dpSf0i">pic.twitter.com/Btz1dpSf0i</a>
— State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) <a href="https://twitter.com/CNNSOTU/status/2023068352369803597?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 15, 2026</a></blockquote>
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Credit: @CNNSOTU/X.com
Tapper also raised the same question with Governor Andy Beshear (D-KY), who called Noem&#8217;s comments &#8220;un-American.&#8221;
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Gov. Beshear says DHS Secretary Kristi Noem&#8217;s comments about &#8220;electing the right leaders&#8221; are &#8220;wild and they are un-American.&#8221; <a href="https://t.co/EOW55pqBAv">pic.twitter.com/EOW55pqBAv</a>
— State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) <a href="https://twitter.com/CNNSOTU/status/2023070275126853884?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 15, 2026</a></blockquote>
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Credit: @CNNSOTU/X.com

Kristi Noem

Spin Cycle: In Shocking Twist, Dems And Media Still Don’t Like Trump’s Cabinet

Spin Cycle: In Shocking Twist, Dems And Media Still Don't Like Trump's Cabinet

ABC News

CBS News

Pam Bondi

Kathryn Ruemmler, former President Barack Obama’s longest-serving White House counsel, announced Thursday she will leave her position of chief legal officer at Goldman Sachs after newly released emails revealed her friendly exchanges with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. 
The emails, released by the Justice Department, show Ruemmler referring to Epstein as “Uncle Jeffrey,” asking about a possible day trip to his private Caribbean island, and wishing him happy birthday. Ruemmler has denied any wrongdoing and has claimed that her relationship with Epstein was strictly professional. 
“I made the determination that the media attention on me, relating to my prior work as a defense attorney, was becoming a distraction,” Ruemmler <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/c9c4ea8a-f806-4a04-b409-a8ec03c00b15">told</a> the Financial Times on Thursday, explaining her decision to leave Goldman Sachs. She is set to officially leave the firm on June 30. 
Ruemmler joined the firm a few years after serving in the Obama White House, where she advised the president on legal matters involving domestic policy, foreign affairs, and national security. She served as White House counsel from June 2011 to June 2014. 
A spokeswoman for Ruemmler <a href="https://nypost.com/2026/02/12/business/top-goldman-sachs-lawyer-kathy-ruemmler-to-resign-over-epstein-links/">told</a> the New York Post that she “has done nothing wrong and has nothing to hide. Nothing in the record suggests otherwise.”
A review of the Epstein files revealed numerous emails between Ruemmler and Epstein in the years after his 2008 conviction for solicitation of prostitution and solicitation of a minor. 
In one email from January 4, 2019, Ruemmler <a href="https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2011/EFTA02605815.pdf">wrote</a>, “Am totally tricked out by Uncle Jeffrey today! Jeffrey boots, handbag, and w=tch!”
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1043495" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-13-at-6.54.27-AM.png" alt="" width="2046" height="663" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-13-at-6.54.27-AM.png 2046w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-13-at-6.54.27-AM-300x97.png 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-13-at-6.54.27-AM-1024x332.png 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-13-at-6.54.27-AM-768x249.png 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-13-at-6.54.27-AM-1536x498.png 1536w" sizes=" (max-width: 2046px) 100vw, 2046px" />
When asked if Epstein had given her the gifts, Reummler spokeswoman Jami Schlicher told The Daily Wire that &#8220;it has been well reported that Epstein&#8217;s MO was to provide unsolicited gifts and do unsolicited favors for people.&#8221;
In another <a href="https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2010/EFTA02064816.pdf">email</a> from December 2015, Ruemmler told Epstein’s assistant that he was like an older brother to her. 
“Well, I adore him. It&#8217;s like having another older brother!” she said.
Other emails show her wishing Epstein a happy birthday and expressing gratitude for his friendship.
“Happy Birthday! I hope you enjoy the day with your one true love,” she wrote Epstein on January 20, 2015. 
Another <a href="https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2011/EFTA02475866.pdf">email</a> was sent while she was traveling to Megève, a ski resort in France. 
“In the Swiss Air first class lounge drinking good red wine (only one glass!)= and am grateful for your friendship. Will=send reports from Megeve. Xo,” she wrote on December 31, 2015. 
<div class="image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1043583" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-13-at-9.27.28-AM.png" alt="" width="1938" height="573" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-13-at-9.27.28-AM.png 1938w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-13-at-9.27.28-AM-300x89.png 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-13-at-9.27.28-AM-1024x303.png 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-13-at-9.27.28-AM-768x227.png 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Screenshot-2026-02-13-at-9.27.28-AM-1536x454.png 1536w" sizes=" (max-width: 1938px) 100vw, 1938px" /></div>
In a January 17, 2017 email, Ruemmler <a href="https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2011/EFTA02385988.pdf">asked</a> whether she could visit Little Saint James, a private island owned by Epstein, where accusers say he sex trafficked women and underage girls.
“Our flight Sunday back to NY is from St Luci=. Can we take a day trip to the island on Sat or is it too far?” she wrote after Epstein offered to fly her there. 
Schlicher said the island trip never happened, and characterized Ruemmler&#8217;s relationship with Epstein as professional.
&#8220;Ms. Ruemmler has been clear and consistent from the outset: she knew him through her work as a criminal defense attorney, shared a client with him, received referrals from him, and was friendly in that professional context,&#8221; she told The Daily Wire. &#8220;At times, Epstein sought informal advice, and she provided feedback based on her understanding at the time, without any formal involvement. Ms. Ruemmler has deep sympathy for those harmed by Epstein and if she knew then what she knows now, she never would have dealt with him at all.&#8221;
Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon has publicly stood by Ruemmler amid the controversy. 
“Throughout her tenure, Kathy has been an extraordinary general counsel, and we are grateful for her contributions and sound advice on a wide range of consequential legal matters for the firm,” he said. “As one of the most accomplished professionals in her field, Kathy has also been a mentor and friend to many of our people, and she will be missed.”

MixCollage-13-Feb-2026-07-23-AM-8066

SEE IT: ‘Uncle Jeffrey,’ Birthday Wishes And ‘Xo’ Emails Rock Obama-Era Insider

Barack Obama

Goldman Sachs

Attorney General Pam Bondi repeatedly clashed with House Democrats during a contentious House Judiciary Committee hearing that devolved into shouting matches, reclaimed time, and accusations of political retaliation — all within the first hour.
From the opening gavel, Democrats signaled they intended to keep Bondi on a short leash. Ranking Member Jamie Raskin (D-MD) warned in his opening statement that Democrats would aggressively reclaim their time during questioning, a promise they carried out with gusto throughout the hearing.
Multiple Democratic members interrupted Bondi mid-answer or cut her off entirely. Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) repeatedly reclaimed her time as Bondi attempted to respond, preventing her from completing several answers, while continuing to speak for nearly 30 seconds after her own time had expired.
The most heated exchange came during questioning from Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), who accused the Department of Justice under Bondi of politically targeting New York Attorney General Letitia James. “It’s clear that you are going after her simply because she was holding President Trump accountable, and he wants to punish her,” Nadler charged, before abruptly pivoting in the final minute of his five-minute allotment to the Epstein files. His sole question: “How many perpetrators are you even investigating?”
Bondi pushed back forcefully, rejecting Nadler’s framing and insisting on answering on her own terms.
“I’m going to answer the question the way I want to answer the question,” Bondi said.
“No, you’re going to answer the question the way I asked it,” Nadler snapped, before declaring, “I’m reclaiming my time.”
As Bondi attempted to continue, Democrats interrupted again. At several points, Bondi dismissed the repeated disruptions as political theater. “Here he goes with their theatrics,” she said during one exchange.
Raskin then waded back in. “You can let her filibuster all you want … not on our time,” he said to Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH). “I told you about that, Attorney General, before you started.”
“You don’t tell me,” Bondi shot back.
“Oh, I did tell you, because we saw what you did in the Senate,” Raskin shouted in response.
Bondi had one more up her sleeve, however, calling Raskin a &#8220;washed-up, loser lawyer.&#8221;
Jordan was repeatedly caught in the crossfire as he attempted to restore order, &#8220;When you ask a question the witness gets to [answer], you may not like the answer, but she gets to answer.&#8221;
That did not appease some in the room. “Mr. Chairman, she is embarrassing you, this is your committee, and she is embarrassing you,” an unidentified Democrat shouted as Jordan called for time during another of Bondi’s responses.
“I would remind the committee that last Congress, Secretary [Alejandro] Mayorkas was here numerous times and he wouldn’t answer our [Republicans] questions even when we sent them to him ahead of time, in writing. So … I think the Attorney General is doing just fine.” Jordan responded to the heckler.
In contrast, several Republican members later yielded their allotted questioning time to Bondi, allowing her to respond at length without the threat of interruption. Democrats framed their questioning around claims that Bondi is weaponizing federal law enforcement against political opponents and shielding information related to the Epstein investigation. Bondi rejected those premises outright, accusing committee Democrats of mischaracterizing DOJ actions and prioritizing spectacle over substance.
The confrontation underscored the increasingly hostile dynamic between Democratic leadership on the committee and the Trump administration’s Justice Department. Rather than producing detailed policy discussion, the hearing instead showcased the deep partisan divide and an increasingly combative oversight process.
“The American people are smarter than that,” Bondi said. “And they see through their theatrics.”

Attorney General Pam Bondi Testifies In House Hearing

Pam Bondi Scraps With ‘Washed Up Loser Lawyer’ Raskin, Other Dems During Heated House Hearing

Pam Bondi Scraps With 'Washed Up Loser Lawyer' Raskin, Other Dems During Heated House Hearing

House Judiciary Committee

The FBI releases video footage from Nancy Guthrie&#8217;s front door, Democrats spar with Trump&#8217;s top immigration chiefs on Capitol Hill, and the Epstein files spark a firestorm in the U.K.
It’s Wednesday, February 11, 2026, and this is the news you need to know to start your day. Today’s edition of the Morning Wire podcast can be heard below:
<iframe style="width: 100%; max-width: 660px; overflow: hidden; border-radius: 10px;" src="https://embed.podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/guthrie-case-escalates-epstein-haunts-uk-elite-2-11-26/id1576594336?i=1000749216091" height="175" frameborder="0" sandbox="allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation"></iframe>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">Nancy Guthrie Person Of Interest Detained And Released</h2>
The FBI <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/live-updates-search-continues-for-nancy-guthrie-as-deadline-for-ransom-note-passes?topStoryPosition=undefined&amp;author=Daily+Wire&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=0&amp;row=1&amp;rowHeadline=Top+Stories&amp;rowType=Top+Stories&amp;title=Person+%E2%80%98Detained+For+Questioning%E2%80%99+In+Nancy+Guthrie+Case+After+Possible+Ransom+Payment+Activity">provided</a> a breakthrough on Tuesday, releasing video footage of a potential suspect in the case of Nancy Guthrie before authorities detained a man as a person of interest outside Tucson on Tuesday night. The man was later released from custody. 
The photos showed a frightening scene: a masked man approaching Guthrie’s front door and obscuring her Nest camera. The man also appears to be carrying a gun. FBI Director Kash Patel then released 30 seconds of video. The man walks up to the doorbell camera, trying to cover the lens, which doesn’t work. He goes back towards the archway in front of Guthrie&#8217;s house, picks up some vegetation, and tries to cover up the camera with it again. 
<h2 style="text-align: center;">Immigration Officials Trade Barbs With Democrats</h2>
A combative hearing on Capitol Hill on Tuesday had Democrats sparring with the Trump administration’s top immigration chiefs. Democrats focused fire on the Trump immigration and deportation agenda. The acting ICE director was asked to resign multiple times and, unsurprisingly, said no, defending the officers and agents he leads. Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY) told acting ICE Director Todd Lyons that Democrats calling ICE the &#8220;Gestapo&#8221; and &#8220;secret police&#8221; is justified because it is what they are seeing. &#8220;People are simply making valid observations about your tactics, which are un-American and outright fascist,” Goldman said. Lyons told Goldman to go to the Holocaust Museum because he was wrong to make the comparison. The dispute between immigration officials and Democratic lawmakers continued.
<h2 style="text-align: center;">The U.K.’s Epstein Crisis</h2>
The release of the Jeffrey Epstein files has sparked a firestorm over in the U.K., where British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is embroiled in a scandal involving their ambassador to the U.S., while King Charles says he’s ready to support the British police looking into his brother Andrew. The Royal Family in general has been very quiet on the Epstein scandal, even though the king&#8217;s brother, Andrew, until recently Prince Andrew, is so closely related to the Epstein Island events. In politics, the U.K. elected a Labour government about 20 months ago with Sir Keir Starmer as the leader. Now, as part of that administration, one of the most significant positions is the British ambassador to America. Lord Peter Mandelson was given that job, a shock to many, given the upcoming Epstein files. The scandal erupted anew with the latest Justice Department release of files, and Starmer’s chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/chief-of-staff-falls-on-sword-as-party-turns-on-u-k-s-starmer-over-epstein-linked-appointee?author=Tim+Pearce&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=2&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Chief+Of+Staff+Falls+On+Sword+As+Party+Turns+On+U.K.%E2%80%99s+Starmer+Over+Epstein-Linked+Appointee" target="_blank" rel="noopener">resigned</a> over the weekend because of Mandelson’s appointment.

MW_260210_V2

Morning Brief: Nancy Guthrie Search Escalates, Immigration Officials Grilled, & Epstein Haunts U.K. Elite

Capitol Hill

Immigration and Customs Enforcement

Keir Starmer

Morning Wire

Nancy Guthrie

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told senators on Tuesday that he visited Jeffrey Epstein&#8217;s Little Saint James Island with his wife and children in 2012, four years after Epstein pled guilty to procuring a minor for prostitution.
During a Senate Appropriations subcommittee <a href="https://x.com/cspan/status/2021249984729927980">hearing</a>, Lutnick was asked by Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) to confirm whether he visited Epstein&#8217;s island as was suggested in email correspondence that was recently made public in the Justice Department&#8217;s trove of Epstein files. Lutnick, who previously said that he cut off contact with Epstein after a troubling first encounter in 2005, confirmed on Monday that he had lunch on Epstein&#8217;s island in late 2012, alongside his wife and four children and another couple and their children.
&#8220;Secretary Lutnick, I think you understand the root of concern here. It&#8217;s the way you described, very emphatically, your first encounter with him &#8230; [and] said you were disgusted and would never have any contact with him again,&#8221; Van Hollen said. &#8220;Did you, in fact, make the visit to Jeffrey Epstein&#8217;s private island?&#8221;
Lutnick replied, &#8220;I did have lunch with him as I was on a boat going across, I was on a family vacation. My wife was with me as were my four children and nannies. I had another couple — they were there as well with their children — and we had lunch on the island. That is true, for an hour, and then we left with all of my children, with my nannies and my wife all together.&#8221;
Lutnick added that he doesn&#8217;t remember &#8220;why we did it,&#8221; referring to the lunch with Epstein on his island, but said it was false &#8220;to suggest there was anything untoward about that.&#8221; The Trump official also said that he did not witness anything inappropriate when he was on the island with Epstein.
Lutnick has not been accused of any wrongdoing in connection to Epstein&#8217;s crimes. Lutnick said he conducted his own search of Epstein files and found that his name appears in about 10 emails among the millions of pages of documents released by the Justice Department. He added that he would be willing to talk more about sharing his records related to Epstein with Congress.
Epstein-related <a href="https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA00664162.pdf">documents</a> recently made public also appear to show Lutnick&#8217;s Wall Street firm emailing Epstein in 2011 in hopes of setting up a meeting. It&#8217;s unclear if that meeting took place. Lutnick told senators that he &#8220;did not have any relationship with&#8221; Epstein, adding, &#8220;I barely had anything to do with that person.&#8221;
In an interview with the New York Post&#8217;s Miranda Devine last year, Lutnick said that after he and his wife first met Epstein in 2005, he vowed to never be in the same room as him. Lutnick told Devine that after he moved into a house next door to Epstein in New York, Epstein took Lutnick and his wife on a tour of his home. During the tour, Epstein pointed out the massage table &#8220;in the middle&#8221; of his home and made remarks about getting the &#8220;right kind of massage,&#8221; prompting Lutnick and his wife to leave, according to Lutnick.
&#8220;In the six or eight steps that it takes to get from his house to my house, my wife and I decided that I will never be in the room with that disgusting person ever again,&#8221; the Commerce secretary added. &#8220;So I was never in the room with him socially, for business, or even philanthropy. If that guy was there, I wasn&#8217;t going because he&#8217;s gross.&#8221;
After more came to light on Lutnick&#8217;s 2012 visit with Epstein, Democratic lawmakers, along with staunch Trump critic Thomas Massie (R-KY), criticized the Commerce secretary for appearing to change his story.
“It’s now clear that Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has been lying about his relationship with Epstein. He said he had no interactions with Epstein after 2005, yet we now know they were in business together. Lutnick must resign or be fired. And he must answer our questions,” <a href="https://x.com/RepRobertGarcia/status/2020622223925792934">said</a> Rep. Robert Garcia of California, the ranking member on the House Oversight Committee, which is investigating Epstein&#8217;s crimes and alleged ties to powerful people.
Over the weekend, Massie called on Lutnick to &#8220;make life easier on the president &#8230; and just resign.&#8221;
The White House told The Daily Wire on Tuesday that President Donald Trump remains confident in Lutnick&#8217;s ability to lead the Commerce Department.
&#8220;President Trump has assembled the best and most transformative cabinet in modern history. The entire Trump administration, including Secretary Lutnick and the Department of Commerce, remains focused on delivering for the American people,&#8221; White House Spokesman Kush Desai said.
A Commerce Department spokesman told The Daily Wire, &#8220;This is nothing more than a failing attempt by the legacy media to distract from the administration’s accomplishments, including securing Trillions of dollars in investment, delivering historic trade deals and fighting for the American worker. Mr. and Mrs. Lutnick met Jeffrey Epstein in 2005 and had very limited interactions with him over the next 14 years.&#8221;

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick

Trump Cabinet Secretary Confirms He Visited Epstein’s Island With Wife And Children In 2012

Congress

Howard Lutnick

U.S. Senate

The latest release of FBI files reveals little evidence that Jeffrey Epstein ran a sex-trafficking ring, Vice President JD Vance becomes the highest-ranking American official to visit Armenia, and a Hong Kong court sentences pro-democracy CCP critic Jimmy Lai to prison.
It’s Tuesday, February 10, 2026, and this is the news you need to know to start your day. Today’s edition of the Morning Wire podcast can be heard below:
<iframe style="width: 100%; max-width: 660px; overflow: hidden; border-radius: 10px;" src="https://embed.podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/epstein-release-raises-eyebrows-vance-visits-armenia/id1576594336?i=1000749053832" height="175" frameborder="0" sandbox="allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation"></iframe>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">FBI’s Epstein Files Findings</h2>
Analysis of newly released Epstein documents shows that the FBI found little evidence that Jeffrey Epstein was running a sex-trafficking ring for powerful individuals. According to an analysis of millions of documents released under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, the FBI found insufficient evidence that Epstein was operating a sex-trafficking ring involving other wealthy or influential people. While the files confirm that Epstein sexually abused underage girls, there was not enough evidence to prove that he supplied minors to other powerful men. These conclusions are based on media reports of released DOJ and FBI documents, such as internal memos, and the DOJ has not issued an independent statement confirming these findings. Some politicians and commentators say there are far too many redactions and not enough of the documents have been released. The DOJ says many documents could not be made public for several reasons, including victim privacy.
<h2 style="text-align: center;">Vance’s Historic Armenia Trip</h2>
Vice President Vance became the first president or vice president in American history to <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/a-new-beginning-jd-vance-signs-nuclear-deal-in-historic-visit-to-armenia?author=Zach+Jewell&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=%E2%80%98A+New+Beginning%E2%80%99%3A+JD+Vance+Signs+Nuclear+Deal+In+Historic+Visit+To+Armenia">travel</a> to Armenia this week. He met on Monday with Armenia’s Prime Minister, who signed a document reaffirming Armenia’s commitment to peace with Azerbaijan. The peace was negotiated six months ago by President Donald Trump after more than 30 years of conflict. The vice president also announced a deal for the United States to sell Armenia $11 million in drone technology, and that the two countries are working on a civil nuclear agreement. Stepan Sargsyan, a former Armenian governor who works closely with the prime minister, spoke to The Daily Wire about Armenia’s geopolitical importance: “The United States has a strategic interest into region because, both Armenia and Azerbaijan, being in the South Caucasus, represent an important corridor which serves as a bridge between East and West, be it for various oil and gas pipelines or trade between China and Europe.”
<h2 style="text-align: center;">Jimmy Lai Sentenced</h2>
In what’s being seen as a major blow to the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong, British businessman Jimmy Lai was <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/hong-kong-court-sends-ccp-critic-pro-democracy-publisher-jimmy-lai-to-prison-for-20-years">sentenced</a> to 20 years in prison on Monday. Lai’s newspaper, Apple Daily, was widely seen as the last free press outlet in Hong Kong. Lai is now 78 years old, which means he could very likely spend the rest of his life in prison. His chances of escaping now lie with President Trump, according to Robert Sirico, a Catholic priest and longtime friend of Lai. Trump has previously pushed for Lai’s release, and he has another meeting scheduled with Xi Jinping, head of China&#8217;s ruling Communist Party, in April. That could be where a deal for Lai is negotiated. Sirico told The Daily Wire in December, after Lai was convicted, that Lai’s release should be a top priority, despite the complexity that bargaining over Lai’s life would cause in international relations. “We are being judged by this, the way we react to this man. This man needs to be a Solzhenitsyn. He needs to be a Mandela. He needs to be seen in that light,” said Sirico.

US-POLITICS-JUSTICE-EPSTEIN

Morning Brief: The FBI’s Epstein Findings, JD Vance In Armenia, & Jimmy Lai Sent To Prison

Armenia

China

Hong Kong

JD Vance

Jimmy Lai

Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell, who pled the Fifth Amendment and refused to answer questions before the House Oversight Committee on Monday, said she would only testify on the convicted pedophile&#8217;s crimes if President Donald Trump grants her clemency, her lawyer said.
Maxwell appeared virtually from prison before the House Oversight Committee on Monday, but she kept quiet, using her constitutional right against self-incrimination. After her deposition, the convicted sex trafficker&#8217;s lawyer, David Markus, said that Maxwell would &#8220;speak fully and honestly&#8221; about her knowledge of her and Epstein&#8217;s crimes if Trump granted her clemency. Markus said that Maxwell would also &#8220;explain why&#8221; both Trump and former President Bill Clinton are &#8220;innocent of any wrongdoing,&#8221; CBS News <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ghislaine-maxwell-house-oversight-committee-deposition-fifth-amendment/#">reported</a>.
&#8220;If this committee and the American public truly want to hear the unfiltered truth about what happened, there is a straightforward path. Ms. Maxwell is prepared to speak fully and honestly if granted clemency by President Trump,&#8221; Markus said. &#8220;Only she can provide the complete account. Some may not like what they hear, but the truth matters. For example, both President Trump and President Clinton are innocent of any wrongdoing. Ms. Maxwell alone can explain why, and the public is entitled to that explanation.&#8221;
House Oversight Chairman James Comer (R-KY) said following the deposition that he was &#8220;disappointed,&#8221; but not surprised by Maxwell&#8217;s refusal to talk.
&#8220;We had many questions to ask about the crimes she and Epstein committed, as well as questions about potential co-conspirators,&#8221; Comer said. &#8220;We sincerely want to get to the truth for the American people and justice for survivors.&#8221;
Maxwell is currently serving out a 20-year prison sentence for her role in Epstein&#8217;s sex trafficking scheme and has been pushing for a pardon from President Trump, who has shown no indication that he&#8217;s considering what would be one of the most controversial pardons in U.S. history.
Both Trump and Clinton appear numerous times in the photos and documents from Epstein&#8217;s estate that have been released by the Justice Department, but none of the evidence incriminates the presidents in any wrongdoing related to Epstein&#8217;s crimes. Trump and Clinton have also not been accused of any wrongdoing by Epstein&#8217;s victims.
In a 2019 interview with the Justice Department, then-Palm Beach police chief Michael Reiter said that Trump called him in 2006 as Epstein crimes came to light and said that &#8220;everyone has known he&#8217;s been doing this.&#8221; The interview, which was part of the Justice Department&#8217;s Epstein files dump, was first reported on by the Miami Herald on Monday. Trump also told the police chief in 2006 to &#8220;focus on&#8221; Maxwell, saying, &#8220;She is evil,&#8221; according to Reiter.
Maxwell met with U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche for multiple hours-long <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/ghislaine-maxwell-reveals-whether-she-believes-epstein-committed-suicide">interviews</a> in July and was grilled for information on Epstein and those associated with him. During the interview with Blanche, Maxwell confirmed that high-profile men, such as Trump and Clinton, had close ties with Epstein, but added she never saw either man act inappropriately with a woman of any age. Maxwell had glowing remarks for Trump, telling the Justice Department, &#8220;The president was never inappropriate with anybody. In the times that I was with him, he was a gentleman in all respects.&#8221;
During her deposition on Monday, Maxwell&#8217;s lawyer again said that Maxwell has no reason to believe that Trump or Clinton are guilty of any wrongdoing, according to Arizona Republican Rep. Andy Biggs, who was at the closed-door hearing. Democrat Rep. Suhas Subramanyam of Virginia said that Maxwell&#8217;s proposition &#8220;is all strategy for her to try to get a pardon from President Trump.&#8221;
The top Democrat on the Oversight Committee, Rep. Robert Garcia of California, claimed that Maxwell has already been given &#8220;special treatment&#8221; by the White House. Shortly after her meeting with the Justice Department last summer, Maxwell was <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/ghislaine-maxwell-moved-from-florida-prison-to-lower-security-facility">moved</a> from a low-security prison in Florida to a minimum-security prison in Texas. In October, the Supreme Court declined to hear Maxwell&#8217;s appeal to overturn her conviction.
Trump <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-says-hes-allowed-to-pardon-ghislaine-maxwell-keeps-option-open-after-doj-meeting">said</a> last July that he had &#8220;not thought about&#8221; pardoning Maxwell. Three months later, Trump <a href="https://www.c-span.org/clip/white-house-event/user-clip-president-trump-will-look-into-possible-ghislaine-maxwell-pardon/5174684">said</a> he would &#8220;take a look at&#8221; Maxwell&#8217;s case and &#8220;speak to the DOJ.&#8221;
&#8220;A lot of people have asked me for a pardon,&#8221; he added.
Later this month, the House Oversight is scheduled to grill former President Clinton and former Secretary of State and first lady Hillary Clinton over their ties to Epstein.

Trump, Knauss, Epstein, & Maxwell At Mar-A-Lago

Ghislaine Maxwell Will Only Testify On Epstein If Trump Gives Her What She Wants, Lawyer Says

Bill Clinton

Trump Administration

U.S.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer&#8217;s chief of staff resigned on Sunday as the premier faces increasing pressure to step aside — some from within his own party — over recent revelations linking one of his former ambassadors to the late convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Starmer&#8217;s chief of staff Morgan McSweeney stepped down after emails released by the U.S. Department of Justice revealed more about former U.K. Ambassador Peter Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein, the disgraced financier and convicted sex offender who died in jail in 2019.
In a <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c74wd01egvyt?post=asset%3A7905f35e-1e89-4761-92e4-bf51ccc0e8e4#post">statement</a> explaining his resignation, McSweeney took responsibility for Starmer’s decision to install Mandelson as the U.K. Ambassador to the United States. Records in the Epstein files have revealed Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein to be much deeper than Mandelson had previously admitted, according to the <a href="https://europeanconservative.com/articles/news-corner/starmer-chief-of-staff-resigns-over-mandelson-appointment/">European Conservative</a>.
“The decision to appoint Peter Mandelson was wrong. He has damaged our party, our country and trust in politics itself,” said McSweeney.
“When asked, I advised the Prime Minister to make that appointment and I take full responsibility for that advice,” he continued. “In public life responsibility must be owned when it matters most, not just when it is most convenient. In these circumstances, the only honourable course is to step aside.”
The Justice Department released millions of files related to Epstein on January 30. Some of those files revealed emails that appear to show Mandelson sharing confidential information with Epstein during the 2008 financial crisis and after Epstein had been convicted of sex crimes, including a count involving a minor. The revelation is now the basis of a police investigation into Mandelson.
Other files revealed that Epstein paid Mandelson $75,000 between 2003 and 2004, according to the <a href="https://www.theamericanconservative.com/uk-pm-starmers-chief-of-staff-resigns-in-jeffrey-epstein-fallout/">American Conservative</a>.
Starmer released a <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c74wd01egvyt?post=asset%3Af9e3b876-8fa1-4def-85a5-a40430d2d7c3#post">statement</a> on Sunday showing appreciation for McSweeney’s work. McSweeney had been one of Starmer’s closest and longest serving aides.
&#8220;He turned our party around after one of its worst ever defeats and played a central role running our election campaign. It is largely thanks to his dedication, loyalty and leadership that we won a landslide majority and have the chance to change the country,” said Starmer.
“Having worked closely with Morgan in opposition and in government, I have seen every day his commitment to the Labour Party and to our country. Our party and I owe him a debt of gratitude, and I thank him for his service,” he added.
Starmer appointed Mandelson to represent the U.K. in Washington in December of 2024 despite Mandelson’s prior ties to Epstein. After more was revealed about the then-ambassador’s ties to Epstein last year, Mandelson was fired. Mandelson’s fall continued after the most recent release of Epstein documents, with the disgraced ex-ambassador resigning his Labour Party membership and stepping down from the House of Lords.
The scandal erupting around Mandelson has threatened to topple Starmer’s premiership as members of his own party grow frustrated. Cabinet minister Pat McFadden said that blaming McSweeney for Mandelson’s appointment is a mistake.
“I don&#8217;t think he should,” McFadden told <a href="https://news.sky.com/story/starmers-top-adviser-shouldnt-resign-over-mandelson-scandal-as-responsibility-lies-with-pm-minister-says-13504837">Sky News</a> when asked Sunday if McSweeney should resign. “In the end &#8230; it’s a prime ministerial appointment. And prime ministers have to take responsibility for the decisions that they make.”

Chief Of Staff Falls On Sword As Party Turns On U.K.’s Starmer Over Epstein-Linked Appointee

Chief Of Staff Falls On Sword As Party Turns On U.K.'s Starmer Over Epstein-Linked Appointee

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