Joe Scarborough, co-host of Morning Joe, has criticised House Republicans for allegedly protecting allies with ties to Jeffrey Epstein, as former prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested in the UK on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
During Thursday’s broadcast, Scarborough accused Representative James Comer, chairman of the House Oversight Committee, of shielding Republicans named in the Epstein files. “If you’re a Republican, you’re off the hook,” he said, adding that the party is “morally bankrupt” on the issue.
Scarborough’s remarks followed Comer’s absence from the deposition of Leslie Wexner, a billionaire and former Victoria’s Secret CEO named multiple times in the Epstein files. A source said Comer missed the session due to oral surgery. The committee is investigating Epstein’s network, interviewing figures such as Wexner, former President Bill Clinton, and Epstein’s former accountant, Richard Kahn.
Andrew’s arrest comes after Virginia Giuffre, an Epstein survivor who died by suicide last year, accused him of sexually abusing her when she was 17. He denied the claims but settled a civil lawsuit in 2022. UK police have launched an investigation into his association with Epstein, including allegations of sharing sensitive information while serving as trade envoy.
Epstein died in federal custody in 2019 before facing trial. His former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted of child sex trafficking and sentenced to 20 years. No other associates have been convicted. Scarborough contrasted the UK’s response, saying: “At least they have shame in Europe… consequences. No consequences here.”
