Melinda Gates says the justice system could have prevented children from being harmed in the case of Jeffrey Epstein. In an interview, Gates argues that if society wants to protect children, “the justice system has to work.” Her comments come days after her ex-husband, Bill Gates, testified before a U.S. Congressional panel. Across the reporting, the focus remains on Gates’ assessment of the Epstein case and what she believes should have happened to stop abuses. The articles attribute the remarks to Gates’ interview remarks rather than to new legal findings or court decisions. The reports do not describe specific actions taken by authorities or provide new evidence beyond her statements about the effectiveness of the justice system. Overall, the coverage links her remarks to the recent congressional testimony timeline, but it centers on Gates’ perspective on whether the system failed to intervene early enough in Epstein’s crimes.