WASHINGTON (AP) - Vice President JD Vance has expressed strong criticism regarding the way the Trump administration managed communications related to the controversial Jeffrey Epstein files. In a podcast interview with Joe Rogan, released on a Wednesday, Vance specifically highlighted the actions of former Attorney General Pam Bondi, who became infamous for her assertion that an alleged "client list" related to Epstein was "sitting on my desk right now."
Epstein, a convicted sex offender, was notorious for his extensive connections to high-profile individuals in various sectors. Vance pointed out that not only did Bondi’s remarks create significant public backlash, but the Justice Department under her leadership also distributed materials to conservative commentators and influencers, referencing these as "The Epstein files: Phase 10" and "Declassified."
During the podcast, Vance stated, "I know Pam. I like Pam. I don’t think there was anything malicious going on." He suggested that Bondi was genuinely trying to address the political environment at the time but admitted that she may have overstated the information available to the administration concerning the Epstein case. This overstatement led to Bondi being publicly criticized and contributed to a growing mistrust about the transparency of the administration's efforts regarding the Epstein files.
Vance stated plainly, "We absolutely screwed up the comms of the Epstein files. Like, we just did." However, he clarified that he does not believe the communication failures were due to an intention to conceal information. He emphasized that the administration's intentions were not sinister, despite the poor handling of the communications.
The Epstein files became a contentious issue for the Trump administration in 2022, leading lawmakers to enact a measure that mandated the release of a significant number of documents held by the government related to the investigations of the disgraced financier. In late December, the Justice Department began the process of releasing these documents, which included a variety of materials such as photographs, call logs, grand jury testimony, and transcripts of interviews. This release aimed to alleviate public concern regarding the handling of Epstein’s case and the transparency of the administration's investigative efforts.
Seung Min Kim contributed to this report as noted by The Associated Press.
