Moral scandals have long shaped Western politics, but for decades they functioned as tests of institutional strength and the credibility of ethical discourse. Congress investigated, impeachment proceedings unfolded, and the world saw that power conferred no immunity from ethical or political responsibility. Despite the gravity of the allegations, early judicial responses were lenient, subsequent federal investigations lacked transparency, and public accountability remained fragmented. Unlike the cases of Nixon or Clinton—where scrutiny reinforced ethical norms—Epstein revealed how power could shield wrongdoing and erode institutional moral authority. Ethical rhetoric weakened, accountability became conditional, and trust—once earned through consistent action—eroded steadily.

Source: Daily News Egypt February 11, 2026 17:29 UTC