Don’t Let Larry Summers Back Into Polite Society

Summers said he’s “ashamed” of his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and would step back from public life. This time it should be for good.

By Dylan Gyauch-Lewis, The Intercept

Larry Summers is the archetype of the technocratic Democratic insider. A prodigy whose abilities in the academy propelled him to powerful roles in government, he has for decades enjoyed close relationships with nearly every important figure in left-of-center politics, including advising former presidents Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and (in an informal role) Joe Biden. His CV gives the impression of the sort of shrewd politico who might broker an epic compromise to save the day in an episode of “The West Wing.”

Beyond the paragons of liberal society, Summers also has prodigious connections to more unsavory sorts, from financial bottom-feeders to goofy Silicon Valley founders like Jack Dorsey — and an outright criminal like human trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.

So it felt overdue when the Harvard Crimson first reported Monday night that Summers would “step back from all public commitments.” Summers was “deeply ashamed,” he told the paper in a statement, and he took “full responsibility for my misguided decision to continue communicating with Mr. Epstein.” The Harvard economist would continue teaching, he said in the statement, and he did not specify which commitments he’d be stepping back from.

Summers, it bears remembering, had been publicly chastened and made a comeback before.