On Thursday evening, Kathryn “Kathy” Ruemmler — former White House Counsel to President Barack Obama and previously Goldman Sachs’ top lawyer — announced her resignation, a move spurred by newly released documents revealing intimate and troubling ties to Jeffrey Epstein.
The Epstein emails, released under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, included thousands of pages of correspondence between Ruemmler and Epstein, uncovering a relationship that was far more transactional and alarming than previously acknowledged. Notably, an email from April 1, 2019, highlighted Epstein consulting Ruemmler on whether he should hire lawyer Alex Spiro.
This correspondence raises significant concerns about the connections the convicted sex offender maintained within America’s legal elite. Ruemmler's resignation is a notable consequence of the wider reckoning surrounding the Epstein scandal. It begs a critical question about the nature of the network built by Epstein—the implications of which are still unfolding.
Details from the released emails reveal not just a professional relationship, but a personal one, marked by gifts and expressions of fondness, which directly contrasts with Ruemmler’s public statements about her ties to Epstein. The wealth of communication over a span of five years, despite Epstein's criminal history as a sex offender, showcases the depth of influence he wielded even after his 2008 conviction.
The unfolding narratives link back not only to Ruemmler but also to figures like Steve Bannon, who referred Spiro to Epstein, and others involved in high-profile legal battles including Harvey Weinstein, whose defense was heavily entangled with Epstein's alleged operations.
As Ruemmler's narrative highlighted collapsing trust and accountability among the elite, her departure leaves lingering questions about the extent of Epstein's influence and the ongoing ramifications of his network on current elite legal practices.
