Former Harvard University president Larry Summers has stated his intention to step back from his public commitments after emails with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein were released. I am deeply ashamed of my actions and recognise the pain they have caused, he remarked in a statement made to CBS News, ABC's US partner.
The emails unveiled by a House committee last week reveal that Summers, who served as US treasury secretary, continued to communicate with Epstein up until the day before Epstein's 2019 arrest for alleged sex trafficking.
Following this scandal, members of the House are expected to vote on a measure calling for the release of all outstanding Epstein-related files. This legislation would then proceed to the Senate, requiring the approval of US President Trump.
Summers held significant roles in US politics, serving as treasury secretary under President Bill Clinton and as director of the National Economic Council under Barack Obama. He was Harvard's president from 2001 to 2006 and currently teaches at the institution.
In his statement, Summers took complete responsibility for maintaining communication with Epstein, expressing a desire to rebuild trust and repair relationships with those closest to me. He mentioned, While continuing to fulfil my teaching obligations, I will be stepping back from public commitments as part of my broader effort.
Additionally, the Center for American Progress, where Summers held a senior fellowship, announced on Monday that he is no longer affiliated with the organisation. He still serves on the board of OpenAI but the future of his position remains uncertain.
These developments come alongside a broader investigation by the US Department of Justice into Epstein's connections, particularly with Clinton and several other prominent Democrats. Trump has called for inquiries into several individuals linked to Epstein, including Summers and LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman.
In the emails, Summers and Epstein reportedly arranged frequent dinners and discussed various prominent figures, showcasing Epstein's attempts to connect Summers with influential personalities across the globe. While they referenced Trump in some contexts, Summers expressed a need to distance himself from the then-president.
As public scrutiny intensifies surrounding Epstein's affiliations with various public figures, including repeated denials from Clinton about his knowledge of Epstein's illicit activities, the conversation about accountability within political circles continues to evolve.
The emails unveiled by a House committee last week reveal that Summers, who served as US treasury secretary, continued to communicate with Epstein up until the day before Epstein's 2019 arrest for alleged sex trafficking.
Following this scandal, members of the House are expected to vote on a measure calling for the release of all outstanding Epstein-related files. This legislation would then proceed to the Senate, requiring the approval of US President Trump.
Summers held significant roles in US politics, serving as treasury secretary under President Bill Clinton and as director of the National Economic Council under Barack Obama. He was Harvard's president from 2001 to 2006 and currently teaches at the institution.
In his statement, Summers took complete responsibility for maintaining communication with Epstein, expressing a desire to rebuild trust and repair relationships with those closest to me. He mentioned, While continuing to fulfil my teaching obligations, I will be stepping back from public commitments as part of my broader effort.
Additionally, the Center for American Progress, where Summers held a senior fellowship, announced on Monday that he is no longer affiliated with the organisation. He still serves on the board of OpenAI but the future of his position remains uncertain.
These developments come alongside a broader investigation by the US Department of Justice into Epstein's connections, particularly with Clinton and several other prominent Democrats. Trump has called for inquiries into several individuals linked to Epstein, including Summers and LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman.
In the emails, Summers and Epstein reportedly arranged frequent dinners and discussed various prominent figures, showcasing Epstein's attempts to connect Summers with influential personalities across the globe. While they referenced Trump in some contexts, Summers expressed a need to distance himself from the then-president.
As public scrutiny intensifies surrounding Epstein's affiliations with various public figures, including repeated denials from Clinton about his knowledge of Epstein's illicit activities, the conversation about accountability within political circles continues to evolve.
