Six women who say they were trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein or his longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell made a public appeal on Tuesday in Washington, D.C., demanding the federal government release more investigative files. They also urged former President Donald Trump to publicly rule out a pardon for Maxwell. The women appeared alongside family members of Virginia Giuffre, a prominent Epstein accuser who died by suicide in April, and criticized what they called a long-standing failure to deliver justice.
Jess Michaels, who alleges Epstein raped her in 1991, described him as a “master manipulator” and said his behavior followed a calculated strategy that left young women and teenage girls defenseless. Michaels cited a “severe miscarriage of justice” and delays in accountability as her motivation for speaking out. Her remarks echoed the sentiments of other survivors who say they were also groomed and abused.
Wendy Avis and Jena-Lisa Jones, both of whom say they were 14 when Epstein abused them, condemned the silence of adults who may have witnessed the abuse. Jones stated that many people around Epstein “very clearly knew what was going on” but have refused to speak up. Avis, speaking publicly for the first time, stressed that victims like her still haven’t received justice, calling for broader recognition of the everyday people affected.
All six women, including Marijke Chartouni, Lisa Phillips, and Liz Stein, expressed deep frustration with the Justice Department. Stein accused officials of failing to protect or inform survivors and backed bipartisan efforts in Congress to force transparency. Their statements came just before the Republican-led House Oversight Committee released over 33,000 pages of Epstein-related documents.
Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie are leading a legislative push to investigate alleged mishandling of the federal probes into Epstein and Maxwell. Maxwell, currently serving a 20-year prison sentence, continues to deny wrongdoing. Phillips warned that if the system continues to fail them, survivors are prepared to take justice into their own hands: “We’ll compile our own list.”
Reasons Bees Are Lured to Outdoor Laundry 
Why Bees Might Buzz Around Your Laundry
When people hang clothes outside, especially on sunny days, insects often take notice. Among the most surprising visitors are bees—even on freshly washed garments or underwear. While it can be startling, there’s a natural explanation behind this behavior.
What Draws Bees to Clothes?
Bees rely heavily on their sense of smell to find food and communicate with their hive. Clean laundry, particularly light-colored pieces, can mimic the cues bees associate with flowers or nectar. Several factors contribute to their interest:
Fragrances from Detergents and SoftenersMany laundry products contain floral or fruity scents. Bees often mistake these fragrances for blossoms and land on clothes searching for nectar.
Moisture on Fabrics
Bees sometimes seek water to cool the hive or dilute honey. Damp clothing can appear as a small water source, attracting their attention.
Bright ColorsBees are drawn to light and bright shades like white, yellow, and pastels. These colors resemble natural flowers, making your laundry an appealing landing spot.
Heat from the SunSun-warmed clothes emit gentle heat. Bees may approach these garments to warm up, especially in cooler conditions.
Is It Dangerous?
Finding bees on intimate clothing can be alarming, but bees are generally non-aggressive. Still, they may sting if provoked. Handle the situation calmly—avoid shaking or swatting clothes, which can agitate them.
How to Handle Bees on Laundry
Wait It Out: Bees often leave once they realize there’s no nectar.
Move Clothes Gently: Use a hanger or stick to lift garments indoors without direct contact.
Switch Laundry Products: Fragrance-free detergents and softeners reduce attraction.
Avoid Peak Activity: Bees are most active around midday, so drying clothes indoors during these hours helps.
Preventive Measures
Use unscented or hypoallergenic detergents.
Shake clothes thoroughly before bringing them inside.
Dry garments under shaded or screened areas.
Install mesh barriers if bees frequently visit your outdoor space.
Final Thoughts
Bees on laundry are usually harmless, drawn by scents, moisture, or bright colors. Simple precautions keep your clothes bee-free. Remember, bees are vital to our ecosystem, so treating them with care benefits both humans and nature.