Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein will be in the gallery for Trump’s speech, demanding US investigations into the financier’s powerful associates.

WASHINGTON: Survivors of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein will attend President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address.

They are demanding accountability for the crimes within Epstein’s network, according to lawmakers who held a press conference with the victims.

“Today the world will see Donald Trump have to face these survivors right there in the House gallery,” said Democratic Representative Pramila Jayapal.

She criticised the lack of US investigations compared to actions taken by other nations against Epstein’s associates.

“Ambassadors and princes have been arrested in other countries,” Jayapal said.

“But here in America, not a single investigation has been announced into the pedophiles and predators of Epstein’s horrific sex trafficking ring.”

Only one person, Ghislaine Maxwell, has been convicted in the US for her role in Epstein’s activities.

Maxwell is serving a 20-year prison sentence for providing minor girls to the financier.

Epstein died in a New York jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking.

Several prominent Americans have resigned after files revealed their post-conviction ties to Epstein.

Survivor Lisa Phillips called for “independent investigations into every single person of power” named in the recently released files.

“Some may have committed no crimes. Some may have,” Phillips stated.

“But every person connected to wrongdoing and Epstein’s world in any nation must be investigated, and, if appropriate, held accountable.”

Trump fought for months to prevent the release of the Epstein files.

He eventually signed the law passed by Congress requiring their publication.

The president’s name appears repeatedly in the files, though he has not been charged with any wrongdoing.

 The Sun Malaysia