WASHINGTON − Attorney General Pam Bondi told President Donald Trumpin May that he was mentioned several times by the government’sfiles on Jeffrey Epstein, according to accounts from the Wall Street Journal and CNN.
A representative from the White House did not deny that Trump’s name appears in the Epstein documents, stating to USA TODAY that the briefing binders Bondi created forMAGA influencersIn February, the president’s name was included. However, the official denied any claim that Trump committed any misconduct related to Epstein.
Bondi informed the president that he and numerous other individuals were mentioned in the documents, as reported by the sources.the Journal and CNNThe publication referenced “senior administration officials,” whereas CNN mentioned “individuals acquainted with the conversation.”
Being mentioned in these documents does not indicate that the individual has violated any laws.
“The reality is that the President expelled him from his club due to his inappropriate behavior,” said White House Communications Director Steven Cheung, mentioning Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club in Florida.
This is merely an extension of the fabricated news stories created by Democrats and the liberal media, similar to the Obama-era Russiagate scandal, whichPresident Trumpwas correct about,” Cheung said.
The reports provide possible further background on the Justice Department’s choice to keep the Epstein files confidential. In a memo issued on July 7, the department stated that a review of the documentsfailed to find any damaging list of clientswho could have been part of a sexual trafficking network with Epstein.
The same review did not find any proof that Epstein extorted influential individuals, or that he was killed while in detention.according to the memo. The chief medical examiner of New Yorkruled in 2019 that Epstein took his own lifebut Trump himself has previously shown doubt about that conclusion.
Definitely regarding the manner in which he (Epstein) died, it would be intriguing to discover what truly occurred there since that was an unusual scenario and the cameras weren’t functioning, and so on, and so forth,Trump stated on Fox & Friends Weekend on June 3, 2024.
Trump encounters criticism for his choice regarding the Epstein documents
The disclosures arrive as theThe Trump administration has encountered strong opposition.regarding the Justice Department’s choice to keep the Epstein documents confidential. Earlier this year, Bondi issued public remarks thatgenerated suspense regarding the Epstein documents.
“A new day has arrived, along with a new administration, and all information will be made public,” Bondi stated.Fox News commentator Sean Hannity in a March interview.
Under the spotlight, Trump has attempted to redirect focus towards other emotionally charged issues that appeal to his MAGA supporters, such as unverified claims that former President Barack Obama committed “treason” during the 2016 election, despite intelligence agencies determining that Russia was trying to sway the election in Trump’s favor. “It’s time to go after people,” Trump stated on July 22.
On July 15, Trump claimed that his political opponents “fabricated” the Epstein documents when a reporter inquired if Bondi had informed the president that his name appeared in the files.
No, no,” Trump stated. “She provided us with a very brief overview. Regarding the reliability of what they have witnessed, I believe these documents were fabricated by Comey, Obama, and they were also made up by Biden — and we endured years of that ‘Russia, Russia, Russia’ deception.
Trump has claimed that Bondi must disclose all “credible” details from the Epstein documents.
Last week, Trump mentioned that he instructed Bondi to request a federal court to release “all relevant Grand Jury testimony” from federal cases involving Epstein and his accomplice, a convicted sex trafficker.Ghislaine Maxwell. A a federal judge in Florida dismissedone of the administration’s proposals on July 23. Two additional proposals arestill under consideration in a federal court in Manhattan.
The Epstein files include extensive collections of images featuring Epstein and individuals who were minors or seemed to be minors, according to the Justice Department and FBI. They also include over 10,000 videos and images depicting illegal child sexual abuse material and other pornographic content. The agencies’ July 7 memo stated that federal authorities found “no justification to reconsider the release of these materials” and will not allow the distribution of child pornography.
The Department of Justice did not promptly reply to a request for statement.
This narrative has been revised to include more details.
This piece first was published on USA TODAY:Pam Bondi reportedly informed Donald Trump in May that his name appears in the Epstein documents.
