The fallout

Kathy Ruemmler, Barack Obama’s former White House counsel, wrote warmly to Epstein for years, called him like an “older brother,” took gifts, gave him media advice and in 2015 offered to show Woody Allen and Soon-Yi Previn around the White House. She said she regretted ever knowing him and resigned. [1][2][3]

Brad Karp’s emails showed a 2015 dinner, a 2016 request for help getting his son a role in a Woody Allen film, and praise in 2019 for a draft motion to protect Epstein’s plea deal. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem’s correspondence covered business, travel and the island. Lajčák and McSweeney left over messages and judgment, not alleged crimes. [4][5][6][7]

In Britain, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Peter Mandelson were arrested in 2026 on suspicion of misconduct in public office; see Prince Andrew and Peter Mandelson. In Norway, a former prime minister and two diplomats are under criminal investigation; see Norway. In the United States, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick kept his job despite calls to resign. [1]

Readers who see a two-tier system point out that the Americans named most often have kept their posts and fortunes, while Europeans faced police. Others note that U.S. prosecutors need evidence of a federal crime, not proof of bad company. Both observations are accurate as of today; open investigations could change them. [1][2][3]