The arrest of Prince Andrew in the UK on suspicion of misconduct in public office has triggered renewed calls from US lawmakers for the Department of Justice to release files related to Jeffrey Epstein and pursue accountability in the United States.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, 66, was detained by British police on Thursday over allegations he shared confidential material with Epstein, the disgraced financier. He was released under investigation later that evening. The arrest is unrelated to any sexual misconduct claims, which he has consistently denied.
Responding to the development, US Representative Thomas Massie, who co-sponsored legislation to compel the release of Epstein files, wrote on social media: “Prince Andrew was just arrested... Now we need JUSTICE in the United States.” He urged Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel to act.
Other lawmakers echoed the sentiment. Representative Robert Garcia said the arrest was “an enormous step forward” but called for an end to what he described as a “White House cover up.” Representative Suhas Subramanyam noted that accountability in Europe contrasted with a lack of progress in the US. Representative Melanie Stansbury highlighted that Andrew was the first royal arrested since 1647, while Representative Nancy Mace claimed credit for calling for his arrest months earlier.
President Donald Trump described the arrest as “a shame” and “very sad,” adding that he had been “totally exonerated” regarding Epstein matters. Meanwhile, Skye Roberts, brother of the late Virginia Giuffre, said the UK was doing more than the US in pursuing justice for Epstein survivors.
