NEW YORK (AP) — On Friday, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that she has directed Manhattan U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton to investigate sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s connections with various political figures, including former President Bill Clinton, in response to a demand from President Donald Trump. Bondi's decision came after congressional Republicans released around 23,000 pages of documents from Epstein’s estate, igniting a political controversy as House Democrats highlighted emails mentioning Trump.
While Trump has had a long-standing friendship with Epstein, he did not specify the alleged crimes he wanted investigated. Notably, none of the individuals he mentioned on social media, including Clinton, former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, and LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman, have been accused of sexual misconduct by Epstein’s victims. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump labeled the situation as “the Epstein Hoax,” asserting that it involved Democrats and called for a broader investigation that would also encompass financial institution JPMorgan Chase and numerous other associates.
Trump characterized the situation as akin to the “Russia, Russia, Russia Scam,” linking it to earlier allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 election. When asked about his authority to call for such investigations, Trump affirmed his position as the “chief law enforcement officer of the country,” suggesting it was within his purview. However, the FBI had previously stated in a July memo that its investigation did not provide evidence to warrant probing uncharged third parties in connection with Epstein.
Bondi’s rapid compliance with Trump’s request has raised concerns regarding the Independence of the Justice Department from the White House, a situation that has seemingly worsened during Trump's presidency. This development also serves as an apparent deflection tactic for Trump, who has faced scrutiny regarding his ties to Epstein. Despite Trump’s calls for investigation, none of the men he targeted were connected to sex crimes as per the accusations from Epstein’s known victims.
JPMorgan Chase expressed regret over its association with Epstein but defended that it did not facilitate his criminal actions. The company admitted to previously settling with Epstein's victims who claimed that the bank ignored warning signs regarding his illicit activities. Clinton, while admitting some interaction with Epstein, notably stated he was unaware of Epstein’s criminal conduct, and he has also never been accused of misconduct by Epstein’s victims. Clinton’s spokesperson emphasized that released emails demonstrate he had no involvement and labeled the ongoing inquiry as politically motivated noise.
Epstein, who pled guilty in Florida in 2008 to soliciting prostitution from a minor, was able to avoid lengthy imprisonment through a controversial plea deal. After serving just over a year, he returned to his regular life until federal charges in New York resurfaced in 2019. He subsequently died by suicide while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Both Summers and Hoffman, associated with Epstein through correspondence but not implicated in criminal activity, expressed regret over their relationships with him, acknowledging that their connections may have unintentionally benefitted Epstein.
As the House moves towards a vote to compel the Justice Department to release all related files, Trump's narrative has shifted from advocating for the release of Epstein’s files to framing the inquiry as a political attack against his administration. He urged for an investigation into Epstein's associates, continuing to assert that it is a Democrat-led hoax. Meanwhile, responses from figures like Hoffman highlight a broader discontent regarding the motivations behind Trump's allegations, questioning the integrity of the calls for further investigations.
Bondi praised Clayton as a capable prosecutor, underlining the urgency of the investigation to provide clarity for the public. A former SEC chairman, Clayton’s appointment to lead the probe signifies a significant political crossroad amid escalating tensions surrounding Epstein’s legacy and Trump's political positioning.
