Several Republicans have called on President Donald Trump's administration to take action against some people named in investigative files related to Jeffrey Epstein after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew, was arrested on Thursday.
"Prince Andrew was just arrested. This was the metric I established for success of the Epstein Files Transparency Act that @RepRoKhanna and I got passed. Now we need JUSTICE in the United States," Representative Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, said on X.
Massie called on U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel to act.
Former Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia Republican, wrote on X: "The UK has arrested Andrew because of the Epstein files and over here the President signed an EO protecting cancer causing Glyphosate in our foods and we have zero Epstein related arrest and investigations since release of the files. And we are on the verge of going to war against Iran. That's the current state of MAGA and MAHA."
Epstein, a sex offender and disgraced financier, was found dead at age 66 in New York's Metropolitan Correctional Center in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. His death was ruled a suicide.
Epstein had social connections with many prominent people, including Trump and former President Bill Clinton. Neither has been accused of any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein, with Trump saying their relationship ended years before his death.
Last year, Trump signed the Epstein Files Transparency Act, compelling the Department of Justice to release its investigative files on Epstein. Earlier this month, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced that the department was releasing more than 3 million pages of documents in the latest Epstein disclosure, as well as more than 2,000 videos and 180,000 images. The files included some of the several million pages of records that officials said were withheld from an initial release of documents in December.
Mountbatten-Windsor, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing in connection with his friendship with Epstein, was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office on Thursday. The former prince was stripped of his titles because of his links to Epstein.
Thames Valley Police previously said it was "assessing" reports that Mountbatten-Windsor sent confidential trade reports to Epstein in 2010. Mountbatten-Windsor was Britain's special envoy for international trade at the time.
"Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office,'' Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said in a statement obtained by the Associated Press. "We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time."
There have not been any arrests in the U.S. related to conduct revealed in the newly released files.
Blanche, appearing on Fox News earlier this month, was asked by Laura Ingraham if any people who partied with Epstein and engaged in relations with minors will be prosecuted.
"Well, look, I'll never say no, and we will always investigate any evidence of misconduct, but as you know, it is not a crime to party with Mr. Epstein," Blanche said.
General Mike Flynn, former national security adviser to President Donald Trump, on X: "If the Brits can arrest a royal, why can't America arrest ____________? Provide a name please."
King Charles, in a statement: "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."