The controversy surrounding Prince Andrew’s alleged links to Jeffrey Epstein has resurfaced on U.S. soil, and South Carolina Congresswoman Nancy Mace isn’t holding back.
Known for her outspoken nature, Mace is calling for the British royal to face prison time if implicated in any crimes related to Epstein’s criminal network.
Calls for Accountability on Social Media
Mace, 47, took to X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday to make her position clear.
“Now seems like a good time to discuss prosecuting Prince Andrew for any and all potential crimes on U.S. soil,” she wrote.
In another post, she added a vivid image: “A cold dark cell. Prince Andrew in handcuffs. Sends the right message.”
Her comments come amid decades of scrutiny over Andrew’s ties to Epstein, who died in 2019 while awaiting trial for federal sex trafficking charges.
Allegations From Virginia Giuffre
One of Epstein’s most prominent accusers, Virginia Giuffre, claimed she was sexually assaulted by Prince Andrew when she was just 17.
Andrew has consistently denied these allegations, stating he has “no recollection” of meeting Giuffre, despite the infamous photograph showing him smiling alongside her with Epstein’s associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, in the background.
While Andrew settled a civil suit for an undisclosed sum without admitting wrongdoing, he has never faced criminal charges in the Epstein case.
Reports suggest his relationship with Epstein may have extended beyond 2010, contrary to Andrew’s statements that he lost contact with Epstein that year.
Survivor Testimonies Shake Lawmakers
Giuffre tragically died by suicide in April at her home in Australia, but her story and those of other survivors are still influencing U.S. lawmakers.
This week, Epstein survivors, including Giuffre’s brother Sky Roberts, met with members of Congress to recount their experiences and push for stronger protections against child trafficking.
Mace, who is also an abuse survivor, left one closed-door House Oversight Committee meeting in tears after hearing the testimonies.
She later described experiencing a panic attack: “Sweating.
Hyperventilating. Shaking. I can’t breathe,” she said.
Bipartisan Push for Transparency
Mace has been one of the few Republicans backing a bipartisan bill aimed at compelling the Department of Justice to release nearly all documents related to Epstein.
The measure, advanced through a discharge petition by Reps. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and Ro Khanna, D-Calif., seeks to force the House to vote on the issue.
Most House Democrats have signed the petition, along with a handful of Republicans, including Mace, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Lauren Boebert.
The move comes despite former President Donald Trump labeling the issue a hoax.
Release of Epstein Documents
Last month, the DOJ handed over 34,000 pages of documents on Epstein to the House Oversight Committee.
About 33,300 of these pages were publicly released this week, though Democrats on the panel noted that many of the files were already known.
The committee’s top Democrat also suggested that the CIA and other agencies may still hold additional documents that haven’t been shared with Congress.
If the bill supported by Massie and Khanna passes, Attorney General Pam Bondi and the DOJ could be compelled to release even more information than what is currently public.
Neither Mace’s office nor Buckingham Palace responded to requests for comment.
Standing With Survivors
Through it all, Mace has emphasized her commitment to victims of abuse.
“As a survivor, I stand with victims demanding justice and full transparency. I also just signed the discharge petition to ensure the full truth comes out,” she wrote on social media Wednesday.