MSNBC host Joe Scarborough was visibly taken aback on Thursday as he delivered the breaking news that United Kingdom authorities had arrested former Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. The royal figure, who was stripped of his title last year amid ongoing scrutiny over his ties to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, was taken into custody by Thames Valley Police on his 66th birthday.
Arrest on Suspicion of Misconduct in Public Office
Scarborough confirmed the arrest, stating, "That's right, Prince Andrew has been arrested." The specific charge cited was "suspicion of misconduct in public office," a development that Scarborough initially praised as an example of justice being served. He contrasted this with what he described as the inaction of "morally bankrupt" Republican members of Congress in the United States.
"All across the world, gravity still holds in government," Scarborough remarked. He specifically called out Senator JD Vance, noting, "JD Vance is always looking down the end of his little nose at Europe. Well, at least they have shame in Europe. If somebody was hanging out with Jeffrey Epstein, there are consequences."
Scarborough's Critique of Republican Inaction
The host continued his sharp criticism, asserting, "No consequences here! And again, I keep saying it, Republicans are too stupid to listen to me because they've always been too stupid to do what's in their best interest. This is your own base you're screwing. This is your own base you're ignoring."
Scarborough and guest BBC reporter Katty Kay discussed the broader context, including former President Donald Trump's efforts to distance himself from his documented relationship with Epstein. Although Trump signed the Epstein Files Transparency Act last year, leading to the release of Department of Justice documents, Scarborough agreed that the White House continues to shield "people that they want to protect."
"And they're protecting Republicans," Scarborough emphasized. "And so again, if you did something horrific or if you were extraordinarily close to Jeffrey Epstein, if you got caught lying time and time again about your relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, you're off the hook!"
Background on Prince Andrew's Epstein Connections
Scarborough highlighted that the Republican Party had previously pledged to investigate the Epstein files, a topic he has covered on his show since 2015, when few beyond Miami Herald reporter Julie Brown were discussing it. The latest release of Epstein documents suggests that Andrew, while serving as the U.K. trade envoy in 2010 and 2011, provided Epstein with confidential information, including details on investment opportunities in Afghanistan's Helmand Province reconstruction.
This arrest adds to Andrew's legal troubles, as he was previously accused by late Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre of sexually assaulting her when she was a minor in 2001. His 2019 BBC interview, which was widely criticized and later adapted into a film, further damaged his reputation.
Criticism of House Oversight Committee
Scarborough also targeted House Republicans and House Oversight Committee Chair Rep. James Comer of Kentucky, who opted not to attend Wednesday's deposition of retail billionaire Les Wexner. Wexner is noted for having helped Epstein amass his considerable wealth.
"Comer and his committee doesn't even care about the man who started this hellscape," Scarborough stated. "They don't even show up for his deposition. That tells you how hypocritical and how morally bankrupt on this Epstein issue they are."
He concluded with a warning, "And all the money and all the campaign stops by the president, all of that, that doesn't help. That actually makes things worse for you, because you're covering up for people who consorted with Jeffrey Epstein. Good luck with that."
