The Real Reason Epstein Was Untouchable

Our government seems to believe the American people are stupid when it comes to Jeffrey Epstein. Not naïve or confused — stupid, as if we can’t put together basic timelines, read plea agreements, or notice when a serial sex trafficker keeps skating through consequences that would flatten anyone else.

Let’s drop the fairy tale. Epstein was not spared from accountability for decades by accident. He was spared by choice. Prosecutors chose not to throw the book at him, officials chose not to explain how he grew so very rich, and administration after administration chose to let him keep trafficking underage girls. In asking us to accept this as standard operating procedure, our government is asking the public to accept something no jury ever would.

So here is a radical idea: stop insulting us and tell the truth.

There are only two explanations for what happened with Epstein, and neither of them is comforting.

The first is sheer, cascading institutional cowardice. Prosecutors didn’t want the fight and politicians didn’t want to anger donors or embarrass themselves. They chose to protect predators at the expense of survivors because Epstein and his co-conspirators were powerful, rich, and connected.

The second is darker and far more corrosive. It also makes a lot more sense.