# Epstein Files =\> Trump Impeachment & Conviction? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [November 10, 2025, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epstein-files-trump-impeachment-conviction/1024733 "2025-11-10T17:42:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 46
**Author:** ![JoePockets](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8dc957/32.png) [@JoePockets](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoePockets)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2026, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epstein-files-trump-impeachment-conviction/1024733/902 "2026-02-19T15:09:01Z")
The fact that they chose redaction was only an avenue to also redact names that they wanted to remain anonymous! The fact that they inadvertently left victims names unreacted sort of proves the DOJ’s mission! ---
**Author:** ![DWMarch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dwmarch/32/1010_2.png) [@DWMarch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DWMarch)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2026, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epstein-files-trump-impeachment-conviction/1024733/903 "2026-02-19T19:12:36Z")
Steve Bannon and Epstein were plotting to have Trump removed by the 25th Amendment in 2019: > **[Steve Bannon told Epstein that Trump should be removed using the 25th Amendment](https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/steve-bannon-told-epstein-trump-020106125.html?fr=sycsrp_catchall)** > > Bannon served a four-month prison sentence in 2024 for defying a subpoena as Congress investigated the pro-Trump January riot at the U.S. Capitol I wonder if that’s why Epstein died in jail. Nothing to do with the sins of the past (Trump protects those people) but rather more to do with a palace coup. We know from Trump’s very loud public statements that he believes the punishment for disloyalty is death. Imagine the world we would be living in right now if Steve Bannon and Jeffrey Epstein had actually managed to pull this off. Not sure if that’s a worse timeline or a better one. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2026, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epstein-files-trump-impeachment-conviction/1024733/904 "2026-02-19T19:25:36Z")
> [@DWMarch](#): > > I wonder if that’s why Epstein died in jail. Nothing to do with the sins of the past (Trump protects those people) but rather more to do with a palace coup. We know from Trump’s very loud public statements that he believes the punishment for disloyalty is death. That sounds like probably the worst conspiracy theory I’ve heard yet for how and why Epstein died. I don’t think Epstein had the power to do anything even before he went to prison, and that was especially true once he was locked up. Killing him would have done nothing. If Trump went around having people killed for disloyalty the bodies would have been piling up left and right. We’re not talking about Vladimir Putin, this is Trump, who talks a lot of crap he never follows through with. We’re getting into “Clinton body bag” territory here. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2026, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epstein-files-trump-impeachment-conviction/1024733/905 "2026-02-19T19:52:31Z")
> [@DWMarch](#): > > Steve Bannon and Epstein were plotting to have Trump removed by the 25th Amendment They have no role in the 25th amendment process. First, the vice-president has to favor it. Then, it requires a majority of “the principal officers of the executive departments” to go along. It may seem obvious to us here who are these executive departments heads – whomever has “secretary of” in their title. But Trump (and SCOTUS allies) would interpret this as he wished in the event of a close cabinet vote. So to remove the president with the 25th amendment, in practice, would require a supermajority of Trump’s own appointees. There is a way around this. Congress can change the body that can invoke the 25th amendment. Consider the constitutional phrase: “a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide.” But the Trump-appointed veep still has to go along. Also, Trump would fire any cabinet member who seemed to be plotting his removal. Therefore, the plot would have to be kept secret from Trump’s most loyal personal aides like Stephen Miller and Susie Wiles. The plotting would also have to be kept secret from Politico and the New York Times in an administration of leakers. Impossible. In practice, the 25th amendment is not self-executing. It requires Congress to pass a law specifying the body who, with the veep, gets to decide presidential removal. And Congress will not do that. So, as impossibly difficult it is for a U.S. president to lose a Senate impeachment trial, removal by the 25th amendment is a tougher haul. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2026, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epstein-files-trump-impeachment-conviction/1024733/906 "2026-02-19T20:18:27Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > > [@DWMarch](#): > > > > Steve Bannon and Epstein were plotting to have Trump removed by the 25th Amendment > > They have no role in the 25th amendment process. That doesn’t prevent them from plotting. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2026, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epstein-files-trump-impeachment-conviction/1024733/907 "2026-02-19T20:23:21Z")
More evidence that Ghislaine Maxwell and Epstein were actively targeting children prior to the year 2000 - as she said in her statements to Todd Blanche, prior to being moved to a nicer prison. [https://www.npr.org/2026/02/19/nx-s1-5707290/epstein-files-victims-interlochen-ghislaine-maxwell](https://www.npr.org/2026/02/19/nx-s1-5707290/epstein-files-victims-interlochen-ghislaine-maxwell) If Epstein did only begin his activities post-2000 then that would post-date the period where he and the President were partying together. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2026, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epstein-files-trump-impeachment-conviction/1024733/908 "2026-02-19T20:55:34Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > That doesn’t prevent them from plotting. I read the Independent article and do not understand the plot. It sounds like Bannon and Epstein were talking a bit but never got to practicalities — just like most 25th amendment posts here. If I am wrong, can someone explain to me how this plot is or was supposed to work? ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2026, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epstein-files-trump-impeachment-conviction/1024733/909 "2026-02-19T21:01:21Z")
They just thought Trump had to go after Republicans got their asses kicked in the mid-terms. The 25th was just the most likely remedy. They weren’t “plotting” any more than we on this board are plotting when we say Trump should be impeached. All they are guilty of in this exchange is disloyalty. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2026, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epstein-files-trump-impeachment-conviction/1024733/910 "2026-02-19T21:22:58Z")
> [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](#): > > They just thought Trump had to go after Republicans got their asses kicked For 10 years we’ve repeatedly run into situations where “in the face of this, he has to go” and nobody really does anything to make it so. So yeah, they were being unserious just blowing wind as usual. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2026, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epstein-files-trump-impeachment-conviction/1024733/911 "2026-02-19T21:34:26Z")
> [@ShadowFacts](#): > > I’m sure Andrew has nothing to worry about, right @DrDeth ? > **[Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor released under investigation after arrest – live](https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/live/2026/feb/19/police-arrest-former-prince-andrew-mountbatten-windsor-sandringham-latest-updates)** > > Andrew pictured on Thursday evening as police say searches in Norfolk have ended Maybe. They didnt have enough evidence to get him on any sex related charges, but this is interesting, and could maybe result in a conviction. > [@DWMarch](#): > > Steve Bannon and Epstein were plotting to have Trump removed by the 25th Amendment in 2019: Neither had any power to do so. “Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.” > [@PhillyGuy](#): > > They have no role in the 25th amendment process. > > First, the vice-president has to favor it. > > Then, it requires a majority of “the principal officers of the executive departments” to go along. It may seem obvious to us here who are these executive departments heads – whomever has “secretary of” in their title Right. Now it was the Veep and the Secy of State- hmm, maybe they could organize it. > [@Atamasama](#): > > That sounds like probably the worst conspiracy theory I’ve heard yet for how and why Epstein died. It is up there, but falls short of "Hillary personally killing him. "- (The image of HC in a Ninja suit scaling the walls of the prison is slightly funny, to be fair). ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2026, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epstein-files-trump-impeachment-conviction/1024733/912 "2026-02-19T23:26:41Z")
> [@JRDelirious](#): > > For 10 years we’ve repeatedly run into situations where “in the face of this, he has to go” and nobody really does anything to make it so. So yeah, they were being unserious just blowing wind as usual. Possibly, but note that the idea that Epstein had compromising material on many major political figures is scarcely a conspiracy theory. It’s conceivable that Epstein and Bannon hoped to apply pressure to then-VP Pence and to other Cabinet officials (or whoever they thought would make up the Constitutional ‘body of officers’ who could invoke the 25th). ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2026, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epstein-files-trump-impeachment-conviction/1024733/913 "2026-02-20T00:39:47Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Maybe. They didnt have enough evidence to get him on any sex related charges, but this is interesting, and could maybe result in a conviction. I hope they have enough to make him spill all the beans on who was there, what they did, and exactly who else was providing Epstein with “favors” based on blackmail. Because I can’t think of any other reason why Andrew would give confidential government documents to Epstein. Epstein likely had video/photos of Andrew with young girls, and this was the Kompromat. So … WHO ELSE was being blackmailed by Epstein? Names please. I hope Andrew starts talking. Perhaps they’ll offer him a deal. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2026, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epstein-files-trump-impeachment-conviction/1024733/914 "2026-02-20T00:56:39Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > I hope Andrew starts talking. Thing is, even if Epstein was regularly blackmailing people with sexual kompromat (and there isn’t a great deal of evidence he did so widely, it has been argued that he mostly trafficked underage girls for himself), he wouldn’t have had much reason to give Prince Andrew any major details on it. It might require some serious evil villain-level monologuing: Epstein: “Haha, Prince Andrew - you’ve fallen for my little trap! Just like Bill Clinton (March 12th, 2002), Donald Trump (July 9th, 1999) and the Dalai Lama (various, 1992-2017) before you!” Best he could probably do is admit to his own transgressions and maybe some fellow partiers, but without providing all that much incriminating evidence beyond “I saw them there at that orgy.” Which given that only some of those exploited girls were underage probably isn’t enough to land anyone in prison. He might be able to nail Epstein for assorted financial malfeasance, but obviously that is not gonna do much at this stage. His goose may be cooked even further than it was, but I doubt he has much worth bargaining with. Because unlike Maxwell he was mostly just a client, not a procurer. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2026, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epstein-files-trump-impeachment-conviction/1024733/915 "2026-02-20T01:01:00Z")
Sure, use facts and logic to rain on my parade. Hummfffff. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2026, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epstein-files-trump-impeachment-conviction/1024733/916 "2026-02-20T01:07:30Z")
Withdrawn – given your last post, I should not pile on. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2026, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epstein-files-trump-impeachment-conviction/1024733/917 "2026-02-20T01:11:15Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Because I can’t think of any other reason why Andrew would give confidential government documents to Epstein. What is known is that Andrew passed along some official reports, including a “confidential brief” regarding investment opportunities in Afghanistan . In other words, investment stuff. Other stuff is just allegations- so far. We will see. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2026, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epstein-files-trump-impeachment-conviction/1024733/918 "2026-02-20T06:17:25Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Because I can’t think of any other reason why Andrew would give confidential government documents to Epstein. Insider trading/favours for a friend, using market-sensitive information on, e g , impending government policy changes. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2026, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epstein-files-trump-impeachment-conviction/1024733/919 "2026-02-20T06:40:04Z")
I guess I was not clear. I understand why Epstein would WANT the information. I don’t understand why Andrew woudl GIVE the information. Unless he was compromised in some fashion. Or just plain stupid. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2026, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epstein-files-trump-impeachment-conviction/1024733/920 "2026-02-20T06:50:05Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > Or just plain stupid. This is a very real option. Most of these rich white dudes, it turns out, are monumentally stupid. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2026, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epstein-files-trump-impeachment-conviction/1024733/921 "2026-02-20T07:33:01Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > Most of these rich white dudes, it turns out, are monumentally stupid. I understand now why they want AIs to compose their emails for them and then summarize the replies - most of them can barely read or write. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epstein-files-trump-impeachment-conviction/1024733.md?page=45) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/epstein-files-trump-impeachment-conviction/1024733.md?page=47)