The Hill - Top House Democrat: Former Prince Andrew arrest ‘enormous step forward’
California Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, called Thursday’s arrest of former Prince Andrew “an enormous step forward” in lawmakers’ investigation into the crimes of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
“Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest is an enormous step forward in our fight to secure justice for the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s horrific crimes,” Garcia wrote in a statement.
Democratic lawmakers on the committee requested congressional testimony from the former prince last November over his alleged ties to Epstein’s illicit activities.
King Charles III stripped his brother of his royal titles last October after the Justice Department released files related to its probe of the disgraced financier, which contained new details about the former prince’s relationship with Epstein.
Garcia commended British authorities for holding the disgraced royal “accountable with this arrest.” The ranking member echoed calls from other Democratic lawmakers for President Trump to face consequences over his alleged links to Epstein.
“Now it’s time for the United States to end this White House cover-up,” Garcia continued in his statement. “President Trump and his Epstein Administration are not above the law.”
Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) issued similar remarks Thursday in a post on the social platform X.
“If a Prince can be held accountable, so can a President,” Stansbury wrote in the post.
Additionally, Democratic lawmakers on the Oversight Committee announced in a Thursday press release that former U.K. official Peter Mandelson declined the committee’s recent request for a transcribed interview about his alleged “close ties” to the convicted sex offender.
Mandelson stepped down from his role as the British ambassador to the U.S. after his connection to Epstein became public. Previously, he had represented the country in the European Commission and in Parliament.
The lawmakers demanded a response from Mandelson by Feb. 27.