Megan Giles Cooney | Columnist
It is challenging not to write more about horrible Jeffrey Epstein. For a while, almost daily, my daughter and other young women in our lives shared their feelings about this awful story.
Still, too many people looked the other way.
Now, to my immense relief, there is finally more visceral American outrage about details in the latest (some 3 million pages) batch of the Epstein files released by the Department of Justice.
Widespread outrage, slow to bubble up, has arrived with full names, faces and documented acts of depravity by Epstein — and with references to powerful men associated one way or another with him.
Finally, even some prominent conservatives are joining the deeply horrified and angry people concerned about the hall pass Epstein received in life — and for seven years after death — for abusing vulnerable underage girls and young women.
The outrage is not nearly universal, though.
Before a congressional hearing Wednesday, Attorney General Pam Bondi sneered at and deflected questions about her handling of the Epstein files. She branded her interrogators failed politicians suffering from “Trump derangement syndrome.”
Bondi insists she’s complying with the new law requiring the Justice Department to scrutinize the files for public release and possible criminal prosecution. She also refused to respond to a congressman’s request to turn around and apologize to the several victims and their families seated in the audience.
Earlier this month, President Trump reiterated it is time for the country to move on from fixation with the Epstein files. Trump’s name is frequently mentioned in the files as an acquaintance of Epstein in New York City and Palm Beach social circles, before Epstein was convicted as a sex offender in 2008.
Europeans have been much swifter than Americans in labeling, rejecting and distancing themselves from associates of Epstein identified in the documents. They include business leaders and foreign officials, including a British prince and ambassador.
It is about time.
I hope the stain of Epstein’s orbit sticks to those who enabled him — people who shielded the monster from accountability. In effect, saving him while they saved themselves.
Epstein’s sex trafficking and abuse story demand a long shelf life. This can possibly happen with release of the final volumes of uncensored emails. Please don’t tire of or shy away from knowing the complete story due to the disgusting details.
Many of Epstein’s victims are tougher than the perpetrators. They are demanding accountability. Keep them in mind when focusing on the documents disclosing Epstein’s evil life.
Make the perpetrators squirm and answer for their association with the ultimate sexual predator and conman.
Megan Giles Cooney is a columnist for the Traverse City (MI) Record-Eagle. Reach her atmegangilescooney@gmail.com.
