DoJ Cover Up—Botched Redactions and Congressional Surveillance
The biggest flashpoint this week was AG Pam Bondi’s combative House Judiciary hearing on Feb. 11. Bipartisan anger erupted over two failures pulling in opposite directions: the DOJ redacted the names of alleged co-conspirators and powerful associates (Rep. Massie said six names were improperly hidden), while simultaneously failing to redact the identities of survivors—exposing nude images and names of dozens of victims, including minors. Then it emerged that the DOJ was tracking lawmakers’ search histories as they reviewed unredacted files at DOJ terminals. House Speaker Johnson called it inappropriate, and Democrats accused Bondi of “spying.” On X, Rep. Jayapal called the whole thing “one big, botched cover-up,” and Rep. Massie’s posts about viewing the files drew enormous engagement. The overarching thread: growing bipartisan distrust that the DOJ is acting in good faith.
Starmer’s Government on the Brink
The European fallout intensified dramatically this week. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government is in crisis after revelations that Peter Mandelson may have passed sensitive government information to Epstein during the 2008 financial crisis. The Metropolitan Police raided Mandelson’s home on Feb. 6 and opened a formal criminal investigation. Starmer’s chief of staff and communications director both resigned, and Scottish Labour’s leader called for Starmer to step down. On X, Rep. Ro Khanna’s widely shared quote captured the contrast: “This is bringing down the British government. It may bring down the monarchy... What are we doing here in the U.S.?” The theme that other countries are holding their elites more accountable than America is becoming a significant theme on X and in the news.
Epstein’s Living Network in the Current Administration
The newest and most politically charged theme is the spotlight on sitting Trump administration officials named in the files—particularly Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, whose 2012 email planning a trip to Epstein’s island contradicted his claim of cutting ties in 2006. The NYT reported that Lutnick’s interactions with Epstein were far more extensive than previously disclosed. Sen. Coons confronted Lutnick directly, and three members of Congress called for his resignation. Secretary of the Navy John Phelan and Deputy AG Steve Feinberg were also flagged. Meanwhile, Deputy AG Todd Blanche declared new prosecutions “unlikely,” fueling cynicism on X that accountability will stop at the water’s edge.
Obama White House Counsel Ousted from Goldman Sachs
Kathryn Ruemmler, who served as White House Counsel to President Barack Obama from 2011 to 2014 and was once shortlisted for Attorney General, resigned on February 13, 2026 as Chief Legal Officer of Goldman Sachs after newly released Epstein files revealed over 100 email exchanges and dozens of in-person meetings with the convicted sex offender between 2014 and 2019. The correspondence showed Ruemmler calling Epstein “Uncle Jeffrey” and accepting luxury gifts including Hermès bags and a fur coat, while also providing him legal advice on managing media coverage of abuse allegations—all this years after his 2008 sex crime conviction. She was even listed as a backup executor of Epstein’s 2019 will, and his cell phone records show he called her the night of his final arrest. Much of the initial coverage framed her primarily as a Goldman Sachs executive, underplaying her senior White House role and the broader questions her case raises about the circles of access and impunity the Epstein files continue to expose.
Sultan Leaves Logistics Giant After ‘Torture’ Email Released
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, the chairman and CEO of Dubai-based logistics giant DP World, was identified by Rep. Thomas Massie as the recipient of a 2009 Epstein email that read “where are you? are you ok, I loved the torture video”—a message whose full context has not been established. The DOJ had redacted Sulayem’s name, but after lawmakers gained access to unredacted files, both Massie and Rep. Ro Khanna named him publicly. The files also show Sulayem and Epstein exchanging messages about sexual experiences and corresponding about Epstein’s private island, all well after Epstein’s 2008 conviction. Sulayem was removed as DP World chairman and CEO effective immediately, making him one of the highest-profile executives globally to lose his position over the Epstein files. Canadian and UK financial groups paused future ventures with DP World in the aftermath. Sulayem has not been accused of criminal wrongdoing.
