‘Epstein files and the moral crisis in US’

This is apropos a letter to the Editor titled ‘Epstein files and the moral crisis in US’ carried by the newspaper on Sunday, Monday and yesterday.

The Associated Press made an essential point: none of the individuals named have been charged in connection with Epstein’s crimes. That fact must anchor any serious discussion. Yet it is legitimate for citizens to ask whether investigations were comprehensive, whether institutional blind spots existed and whether systemic safeguards have been strengthened to prevent future exploitation.

Trust in institutions depends on visible equality before the law. If powerful individuals were investigated and cleared, clarity strengthens legitimacy. If investigative gaps remain, transparency must close them.

Silence feeds suspicion. The Epstein scandal represents more than personal depravity. It represents a stress test for institutional credibility. When elites circulate within the orbit of a trafficker, even without criminal liability, the public demands explanation. The United States often positions itself as a defender of human rights globally. That moral posture requires internal consistency. Accountability cannot appear selective.

The solution is neither mob condemnation nor complacency. It is disciplined scrutiny. Congress retains oversight authority.

The Department of Justice retains prosecutorial authority. Independent journalism retains investigative authority. Survivors retain the right to justice and protection. If additional wrongdoing is uncovered, it must be prosecuted without regard to status. If no additional crimes are established, the public deserves clear communication explaining investigative findings.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026