Virginia Giuffre's Family Demands Prince Andrew Testify Before US Congress
The family of Virginia Giuffre has united with American lawmakers to demand that Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor appear before Congress to answer questions regarding his association with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. This call for testimony comes as political pressure intensifies on Capitol Hill, with new legislation being proposed to broaden legal pathways for survivors of sexual abuse.
Family and Lawmakers Issue Direct Appeal
Sky Roberts, the brother of the late Virginia Giuffre, publicly declared that Prince Andrew "needs to show up and he needs to answer questions in front of our Congress." This sentiment was strongly echoed by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who emphasized the urgency by stating the royal "needs to show up now." The coordinated demands highlight a growing bipartisan push for accountability and transparency in the long-running Epstein investigation.
In a joint statement, Sky and Amanda Roberts, Giuffre's brother and sister-in-law, urged Congress to pass "Virginia's Law," legislation named in her honor. They argued that many survivors do not disclose abuse until after age forty, advocating for the removal of statutes of limitations on adult sex trafficking. Their statement stressed that the proposed law would grant victims "the right to seek justice, no matter the status, wealth, or power of the person who harmed them, and no matter when the abuse occurred."
Legislative Momentum and Legal Hurdles
Democrats on the House Oversight Committee and in the House of Representatives have repeatedly requested Prince Andrew's testimony, but he has not responded. A significant legal obstacle exists: US lawmakers cannot subpoena individuals outside the country. However, if the former prince were to travel to the United States, a subpoena could be issued and enforced, even against a foreign national, fueling campaigners' frustration over his current inaccessibility.
Chuck Schumer's proposed bill, championed by Democrats, aims to "create new legal avenues to pursue justice." He lamented the historical treatment of Epstein's survivors, stating, "For years, survivors of Epstein's abuse were ignored. They were doubted. They were silenced. They were dismissed." Schumer criticized a system that often tells survivors "it's too late" due to legal time limits, rather than the absence of harm.
Ghislaine Maxwell's Silent Deposition
Pressure mounted concurrently as convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell appeared via video link from Bryan Federal Prison Camp in Texas for a congressional deposition. Dressed in a beige prison uniform, Maxwell invoked her Fifth Amendment right to silence throughout the twenty-minute session, speaking only to spell her name. Her lawyer, David Oscar Markus, later stated she would only provide evidence exonerating former Presidents Donald Trump and Bill Clinton in exchange for executive clemency.
This proposal provoked immediate backlash. Democratic lawmakers, including Suhas Subramanyam and Ro Khanna, condemned Maxwell as "robotic" and "unrepentant," calling for her transfer back to a maximum-security prison for non-cooperation. Khanna asserted, "She must immediately be sent back to the maximum security prison where she belongs." The White House swiftly downplayed any prospect of a pardon for Maxwell.
Scrutiny of Epstein Files and Redactions
The deposition occurred as the House Oversight Committee examined newly released documents related to Epstein, which have reignited global political fury. Lawmakers expressed alarm over redactions in the publicly available files. Democrat Jamie Raskin revealed he had seen unredacted versions and was troubled by "arbitrary omissions," noting names were blanked out for "mysterious or baffling or inscrutable reasons."
Disturbingly, the files disclosed previously unreported young victims, including a child as young as nine. Raskin stated, "You read through these files, and you read about 15-year-old girls, 14-year-old girls, 10-year-old girls. I saw a mention of a nine-year-old girl today. I mean, this is just preposterous and scandalous." The legislation mandating the release of these files prohibits redactions meant solely to protect powerful figures from embarrassment, while safeguarding victims' identities.
Broader Implications and Ongoing Investigations
Jeffrey Epstein, whose network infiltrated politics, business, academia, and celebrity circles, was found dead in his New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges. His death, ruled a suicide, continues to fuel suspicion and anger. The FBI estimates Epstein abused over one thousand victims over decades.
The ongoing congressional investigation, coupled with the demands for Prince Andrew's testimony and the push for "Virginia's Law," underscores a sustained effort to deliver justice for survivors. As momentum builds, the focus remains on uncovering the full truth and ensuring accountability, regardless of the status or power of those involved.
