House Democrat urges King Charles to acknowledge Epstein victims during address to Congress

Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) on Sunday urged King Charles III to acknowledge the victims of deceased convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during his address to Congress next week when the monarch makes his first state visit to the U.S.

“I am hopeful that King Charles, when he speaks to the Congress, will acknowledge the Epstein survivors, will call for justice, will call for investigations and prosecutions,” Khanna said during a Sunday appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” 

“It would be an enormous gesture if when he’s speaking at the Congress, he does that. And I’m hopeful that he will,” he added. 

Charles is expected to address Congress on Tuesday during a four-day trip that includes stops in Washington, D.C., New York City and Virginia. 

He and his wife, Queen Camilla, had already said they will not meet with Epstein victims but have not shared any additional details about Charles’s speech to lawmakers outside of celebrating America’s 250th founding anniversary. 

Khanna, who is the co-author of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, said he was “disappointed” that Charles will not meet with victims. 

The royal visit comes as U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer continues to be questioned over his relationship with former ambassador to the U.S. Peter Mandelson, who was ousted from his job after his appearances in the Epstein files. Starmer has said he will not step aside.

Khanna has consistently pushed for men connected to the disgraced financier’s sex trafficking network to be publicly held accountable. 

Documents released due to the Epstein Files Transparency Act revealed more of the sex trafficker’s connections, with some including Epstein’s communications to Mandelson as well as Andrew Albert Christian Edward Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew.

Mandelson and Mountbatten-Windsor were arrested earlier this year amid an investigation into their ties to Epstein. 

Following his brother’s arrest, Charles said, “I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office,” in a statement to NewsNation. 

“What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities. In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation,” he added.

He continued, “Let me state clearly: the law must take its course. As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter. Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all.”

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