Todd Blanche doesn’t want to charge anyone else found in the Epstein filesImage: keystone
Following the publication of the investigative files in the case of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the US Department of Justice is not planning any further charges for the time being.
02/02/2026, 06:1302/02/2026, 1:16 p.m
During the examination, nothing was found that would enable criminal prosecution. US Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche told CNN. The whole world can now look at the published material and “judge for itself whether we were wrong,” he said. “There are many horrific photos that appear to have been taken by Mr. Epstein or people close to him, but that doesn’t necessarily allow us to prosecute anyone,” Blanche said.
The US Department of Justice released a final batch of investigation files on Friday. There are millions of pages, thousands of videos and photos. In a video, Epstein is asked if he is the “devil himself.” The US multimillionaire, who ran an abuse ring for years, is obviously not taking the question seriously. The evaluation of all files by the media and the public is likely to take several more days.
Epstein also a topic at the Grammys
Many well-known personalities appear in the published material, including US President Donald Trump. However, there is no evidence of the Republican’s involvement in the scandal. The US President denies knowing about Epstein’s criminal activities. Trump never wants to have been on the entrepreneur’s private island, which is said to have been the center of the abuse ring.
However, the US President’s opponents don’t believe him. The Epstein scandal was also an issue at the Grammys in the Democratic stronghold of Los Angeles.
Host Trevor Noah said after awarding the Grammy for Best Song to singer Billie Eilish that it was an award that everyone wanted – “just as much as Trump wants Greenland. Epstein’s island is gone.” Trump needed “a new one,” Noah said, to hang out with former President Bill Clinton, who also appeared prominently in the documents. Trump then threatened Noah with a lawsuit. Clinton also denies any wrongdoing.
Consequences in Great Britain
As things stand, the former British Prince Andrew, who fell deeply because of his connection to Epstein, remains one of the few who actually had to change their lives as a result of the documents. The brother of King Charles III. had to give up his offices and dignity and lives as a commoner.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke in favor of Andrew testifying before the US Congress when asked about it by reporters. He has “always said that anyone who has information should be prepared to share that information,” he said, “in whatever form.” Andrew did not comply with a request from Democrats to testify in Congress.
The former British ambassador to the USA, Peter Mandelson, drew personal consequences from the scandal late on Sunday evening. The politician resigned from the Labor Party. After new allegations about his connection to Epstein, he wanted to spare the British ruling party “further embarrassment,” he wrote in a letter to the party, according to the PA news agency.
Mandelson was removed from his ambassadorship to the US because of his ties to Epstein. He remained in touch with the American even after the allegations became known. In the course of the recent publication of documents, further involvement of Mandelson came to light. According to British media reports, the files show that Epstein had transferred money to Mandelson in the past. Mandelson describes these as “false allegations”. (sda/dpa)
More about the Epstein files: