President Trump’s Justice Department is moving on superstar Hollywood producer (and former Hillary Clinton donor) Harvey Weinstein—ordering the FBI to open a probe into his sex crimes.
The FBI has apparently begun moving quickly with their investigation, over concerns that Weinstein was planning to flee the country—akin to what famed director Roman Polanski, who had been convicted of child molestation, did in the 1970s.
Weinstein is currently in rehab in Arizona, but the FBI is apparently looking into whether he committed any federal crimes, and also setting the stage for extradition if Weinstein heads to Europe.
It’s unclear whether or not Trump ordered the investigation himself, or if Attorney General Jeff Sessions did.
Trump has previously stated that he wasn’t shocked that Weinstein was engulfed in a rape scandal, stating simply: “I’ve known him for years. I’m not surprised.”
Adding a political angle to the FBI investigation of Weinstein is the fact that Weinstein is a prominent liberal—who has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to political campaigns, including Barack Obama’s campaigns and bundling nearly a million dollars for Hillary Clinton’s failed 2016 run.
Tellingly, it took the Obamas and the Clintons nearly a week to issue statements condemning the rapist, who Michelle Obama had called a “wonderful human being” and a “good friend” just four years ago.
As many as 30 women have now come forward to accuse Weinstein of sexual misconduct.
In addition to the FBI’s investigation, the NYPD has also begun conducting their own investigation of Weinstein. Unlike many other states, New York State has no statute of limitations on rape—meaning that Weinstein could soon face justice for crimes dating back decades.
