Trump Administration Orders Investigation Into Epstein's Democratic Connections: Justice Department Response and Political Implications

In a social media post, Trump declared that Epstein was a Democrat and represented a problem for the Democratic party, not Republicans. (File)

Washington:

The US Justice Department announced on Friday its commitment to honor President Donald Trump's request to investigate Jeffrey Epstein's connections to former Democratic President Bill Clinton and JPMorgan, as Trump attempted to redirect attention from his own relationship with the convicted sex offender.

This decision follows the release of thousands of documents by a congressional committee two days prior, which raised fresh questions about Trump's relationship with the late financier. The move marks another instance where Trump has directed federal law enforcement to pursue individuals he perceives as political adversaries.

Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that Jay Clayton, Manhattan's top federal prosecutor, will spearhead the investigation.

For months, the Epstein scandal has been a political challenge for Trump, partially because he amplified conspiracy theories about Epstein to his supporters. Many Trump voters believe that Bondi and other Trump officials have concealed Epstein's connections to influential figures and obscured details regarding his 2019 suicide in a Manhattan jail.

Trump has utilized the Justice Department to target other perceived political enemies, notably former FBI Director James Comey and New York State Attorney General Letitia James, both of whom faced charges after Trump replaced the prosecutor leading their cases.

'Not How It's Supposed To Work'

Legal experts caution that Trump's demands could undermine resulting criminal cases, as judges can dismiss cases determined to be motivated by "vindictive prosecution" - an argument both Comey and James have raised, though judges have not yet ruled on their dismissal requests.

Patrick J. Cotter, a former federal prosecutor, described Trump's order for the department to investigate individual citizens as "outrageously inappropriate," adding, "That's not how it's supposed to work."

Along with Clinton, who socialized with Epstein in the early 2000s, Trump requested the Justice Department investigate former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers and LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman, a prominent Democratic donor. All three individuals were mentioned in the 20,000 Epstein-related documents released by the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday.

"Epstein was a Democrat, and he is the Democrat's problem, not the Republican's problem!" Trump wrote on social media. "They all know about him, don't waste your time with Trump. I have a Country to run!"

JPMorgan issued a statement expressing regret over its past association with Epstein, who was a client from 1998 to 2013, and denied helping him commit "heinous acts."

Clinton's deputy chief of staff, Angel Urena, stated on X, "These emails prove Bill Clinton did nothing and knew nothing. The rest is noise meant to distract from election losses, backfiring shutdowns, and who knows what else."

In a post on X, Hoffman called for Trump to release all Epstein files, stating his only engagement with Epstein involved fundraising for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

"I want this complete release because it will show that the calls for baseless investigations of me are nothing more than political persecution and slander," he said.

Summers did not immediately respond to comment requests.

The Justice Department's compliance with Trump's demand contradicts a July memo in which the department and FBI stated there was no "evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties" in the Epstein case.

"This systematic review revealed no incriminating 'client list,'" the memo stated. "There was also no credible evidence found that Epstein blackmailed prominent individuals as part of his actions."

Trump Faces Continued Pressure Over Epstein

Trump and Epstein maintained a friendship during the 1990s and 2000s, but Trump claims he severed ties before Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to charges of soliciting a minor for prostitution.

Trump has consistently denied knowledge of the late financier's abuse and sex trafficking of underage girls. Nevertheless, some of Trump's most ardent supporters have accused his administration of a cover-up. Trump, who typically engages with reporters, has avoided questions in recent days as new Epstein revelations have become public.

The Republican-controlled House of Representatives is expected to vote next week on legislation requiring the Justice Department to release all its Epstein material. Epstein was facing federal charges of sex trafficking minors at the time of his suicide. The measure will likely pass, despite House Speaker Mike Johnson's attempts to block the vote. Senate approval and Trump's signature would be necessary to compel the Justice Department to act.

According to an October Reuters/Ipsos poll, only four in ten Republicans approved of Trump's handling of the Epstein files, significantly below the nine in ten who approve of his overall White House performance.

Epstein Socialized With Well-Known Figures

JPMorgan paid $290 million in 2023 to some of Epstein's victims to settle accusations of turning a blind eye to his sex trafficking. The settlement followed embarrassing disclosures that JPMorgan ignored internal warnings and overlooked red flags about a valued client. The bank did not admit wrongdoing in the settlement.

No credible evidence has emerged implicating Clinton, Summers, or Hoffman in Epstein's sex trafficking. All have previously denied wrongdoing and expressed regret about their relationships with him.

Clinton flew on Epstein's private jet several times before the financier's 2008 conviction, while Summers accepted philanthropic gifts from Epstein while serving as Harvard University's president. Hoffman has acknowledged meeting with Epstein multiple times in professional contexts.

Before his 2008 conviction, Epstein worked and socialized with numerous well-known figures, including the UK's former Prince Andrew, who lost his royal title partly due to his association with Epstein.

Clayton, the prosecutor who will lead the investigation into Clinton, JPMorgan, and other figures, is a political independent who chaired the Securities and Exchange Commission during Trump's first White House term.