CNN Analyst Doubts Special Counsel Appointment For Epstein Files

CNN senior legal analyst Elie Honig has strongly criticized the idea of appointing a special counsel to oversee the Jeffrey Epstein case and the release of related files, calling it an ineffective and unprecedented move. Honig explained that special counsels are traditionally appointed only when there is a live criminal investigation involving conflicts of interest, often tied to the president or powerful figures, and that no such conditions exist here since Epstein is deceased and no new prosecutable charges are indicated by the FBI. The White House has considered appointing a special counsel or unredacting documents to address public dissatisfaction, but experts argue that such actions would be largely symbolic without substantive impact. Meanwhile, some political figures, such as Lauren Boebert, have made controversial and widely criticized suggestions like appointing Matt Gaetz as special counsel, a proposal widely mocked given Gaetz's own legal controversies. Retired General Mike Flynn has urged President Trump to take further action on the Epstein matter, though the president has asked supporters to stop questioning the issue. Overall, expert consensus suggests that appointing a special counsel in this context would not resolve the underlying concerns about the Epstein investigation or the handling of related DOJ files.