Former Prince Andrew's arrest ignites bipartisan firestorm: 'Our work is just beginning'

WASHINGTON, DC: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, was taken into custody on Thursday morning, February 19, on suspicion of misconduct while in public office, according to Thames Valley Police. 

The reported arrest followed the US Department of Justice’s release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein.

Lawmakers from both parties responded publicly to the development, referencing accountability and ongoing investigations tied to Epstein. Mountbatten-Windsor had previously denied wrongdoing in connection with Epstein.

Lawmakers praise Andrew's arrest and call for broader accountability

Republican Rep Nancy Mace (R-SC) praised the arrest, linking it to congressional efforts to make Epstein-related records public.

“If you’re watching a former prince get arrested today, remember: four Republicans refused to flinch, refused to fold, and forced the Epstein files into the light. Courage has consequences," Mace stated.

"So does corruption. The powerful spent years believing they were untouchable,” Mace added. “Today, the world is watching them learn otherwise.”

Mace had previously called for Mountbatten-Windsor to be prosecuted “for any and all potential crimes committed on US soil.”

In an earlier statement, she said, “A cold dark cell. Prince Andrew in handcuffs. This is an image sending the right message. No one is above the law, victims deserve justice and Americans deserve confidence our system works as it was intended.” 

Democratic Rep Melanie Stansbury (D-NM) also commented on the arrest, writing in a post on X, “If a Prince can be held accountable, so can a President.”

Democratic members of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee posted: “No one connected to Jeffrey Epstein will escape accountability for their crimes. Our work is just beginning, and we will pursue justice for every individual.”

Rep Suhas Subramanyam (D-Va), a committee member, wrote, “Andrew Mountbatten Windsor has evaded justice for too long. We will continue to call on him to cooperate in our investigation, and I hope today’s arrest will lead to answers.”

Former Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga) also weighed in, criticizing the broader handling of the Epstein investigation.

“The UK has arrested Andrew because of the Epstein files and over here the President signed an EO protecting cancer causing Glyphosate in our foods and we have zero Epstein related arrest and investigations since release of the files,” she wrote. 

“And we are on the verge of going to war against Iran. That’s the current state of MAGA and MAHA,” Greene added.

Epstein Files and oversight investigation 

The arrest follows the passage of the 'Epstein Files Transparency Act', legislation requiring the DOJ to release documents tied to Epstein’s crimes.

The measure passed the House 427-1, was unanimously approved by the Senate and was signed into law by Trump in November after initially opposing it.

Documents released under the law showed that Mountbatten-Windsor shared confidential information with Epstein during his tenure as the United Kingdom’s special representative for trade and investment.

Authorities have indicated the investigation is not necessarily limited to those disclosures.

One of Epstein’s victims, the late Virginia Giuffre, alleged in her posthumous memoir that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor had exploited her. Mountbatten-Windsor has denied the allegations.

The investigation by UK authorities remains ongoing, and no formal charges have been announced.