TEHRAN – The newest attention on the Epstein files has torn the mask off the American system once again, showing just how deep the decay runs inside the country’s political and social power structure.

Every new document, every refusal to answer questions, and every redacted name makes it clearer that Epstein did not operate in the shadows by accident. He thrived because the institutions meant to protect the public instead protected the powerful, turning a blind eye for years while the same elite circles that shape American politics, finance, and diplomacy moved comfortably around him.

Ghislaine Maxwell’s decision to plead the Fifth Amendment before Congress was expected, but it still revealed a great deal. Her silence shields not only herself but also the many influential people who were part of Epstein’s world. Survivors have warned lawmakers that Maxwell has repeatedly refused to identify the men involved in Epstein’s crimes. Her lawyer’s public suggestion that she would “speak fully” if Donald Trump granted her clemency raises troubling questions about what she believes she knows and whom her testimony might affect.

Representative Melanie Stansbury has become one of the few members of Congress willing to speak openly about what she saw in the unredacted files. After reading them, she said she was disgusted. She explained that the FBI had tracked the names of well-known and powerful people, including presidents, based on what victims told investigators. She also pointed out that Trump’s name appears more than 38,000 times in the documents released so far, even though these files represent only part of what the Department of Justice holds. 

Stansbury argued that the public deserves full transparency and that the connections between Trump, his administration, and Epstein should not be hidden. Her comments stood out because most politicians in Washington avoid speaking so directly about these issues.

Trump has denied wrongdoing, and Epstein’s victims have not accused him of crimes. Even so, Stansbury’s remarks show why many people remain unsure about how distant he truly was from Epstein. Trump and Epstein were socially connected for years, appearing together in photos and attending the same events. 

Maxwell’s lawyer’s suggestion that she might talk if Trump helped her adds to the sense that she believes he has something at stake. Maxwell also met with a former Trump attorney to discuss related matters, which only deepens the questions. None of this proves criminal behavior, but it does raise concerns about why Trump’s name appears so often in the files and why Maxwell’s team seems to view him as someone who could protect her.

The larger issue goes far beyond Trump or Maxwell. The Epstein case shows how a system built to protect the powerful can fail the public. Epstein moved easily among billionaires, politicians, academics, and people connected to intelligence circles. Despite repeated warnings and survivor testimony, he continued his activities for years. Even now, the Department of Justice’s heavy redactions suggest that the instinct to protect influential people is still strong.

There have also been long-standing claims, though unproven, that Epstein and Maxwell had ties to intelligence agencies. Some journalists and former officials have suggested that Epstein may have been used as an intelligence asset, possibly even by Israeli services. These claims remain allegations, but they continue to circulate because of the unusual nature of Epstein’s network and because Maxwell’s father, Robert Maxwell, has long been reported to have had intelligence connections. Whether these theories are true or not, their persistence shows how little trust the public has in the official explanations.

In the end, the Epstein files reveal a system that often protects the powerful more than it protects the vulnerable. Maxwell’s silence, Trump’s deep presence in the documents, the DOJ’s redactions, and the reluctance of many politicians to confront the issue all point to a political order that fears exposure. 

Stansbury’s willingness to speak openly is rare, and it highlights how much the establishment has failed survivors and the public. The Epstein case is not only a scandal about individuals; it is a sign of how difficult it is for the American system to hold its most powerful members accountable.