Bondi: US Will Probe Epstein’s Ties to Clinton, Other Political Foes/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Under pressure from President Donald Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi has launched a Justice Department investigation into Jeffrey Epstein’s ties to prominent Democratic figures, including Bill Clinton. Trump accuses Democrats of hiding misconduct, despite no charges linking them to Epstein’s crimes. The move has intensified concerns over political interference in federal investigations.
Epstein Files Fallout Quick Looks
- Attorney General Pam Bondi assigns prosecutor Jay Clayton to lead Epstein-related probe.
- Trump demands investigation into ties between Epstein and political opponents, including Clinton.
- No evidence or accusations of sexual misconduct involve Trump’s named targets.
- Over 23,000 Epstein estate documents were released by congressional Republicans.
- House Democrats spotlight emails referencing Trump and Epstein’s alleged knowledge of abuse.
- Trump calls the investigation a “Democrat hoax” and accuses media of distraction tactics.
- JPMorgan Chase, Epstein’s former bank, distances itself but acknowledges prior regret.
- Clinton and others deny wrongdoing, calling Trump’s actions politically motivated deflection.
- Justice Department’s independence questioned as Trump claims legal authority to direct probe.
Deep Look
Justice Department Opens Epstein Investigation Into Clinton Ties at Trump’s Request
NEW YORK — The U.S. Department of Justice will open an investigation into Jeffrey Epstein’s connections to prominent Democratic figures, including former President Bill Clinton, at the direction of President Donald Trump. Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed Friday that she has appointed Manhattan U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton to lead the investigation into what Trump called a politically driven “Epstein Hoax.”
The decision follows a turbulent political week that saw House Republicans release over 23,000 pages of documents from Epstein’s estate while Democrats circulated a limited set of emails that mentioned Trump in potentially compromising contexts.
Bondi, in a post on X, called Clayton “one of the most capable and trusted prosecutors in the country” and promised an “urgent and thorough” inquiry. Clayton previously served as chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission and now leads the Southern District of New York—the same office that indicted Epstein in 2019 and later secured a conviction against Ghislaine Maxwell.
Trump, who once counted Epstein among his acquaintances, used his Truth Social platform earlier in the day to publicly demand the probe. He named Clinton, former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, LinkedIn co-founder and Democratic donor Reid Hoffman, and JPMorgan Chase as targets. Without citing evidence, Trump claimed the investigation would reveal deep Democratic corruption.
“This is another Russia, Russia, Russia scam,” Trump wrote, referencing the 2016 investigation into alleged Russian election interference. “All arrows point to the Democrats.”
Pressed by reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump defended his authority, saying, “I’m the chief law enforcement officer of the country. I’m allowed to do it.”
However, critics immediately raised red flags over political interference. The move continues a broader pattern since Trump returned to office, where the traditional boundary between the White House and the Justice Department has eroded.
Despite Trump’s assertions, none of the individuals he named have been accused of sexual misconduct by Epstein’s victims. An earlier July memo from the FBI stated that investigators found no basis to pursue charges against any unindicted third parties in the case.
JPMorgan Chase spokesperson Patricia Wexler reiterated the bank’s regret for maintaining ties with Epstein. “The government had damning information and failed to share it with us or other banks,” she said. The bank has previously paid millions to victims after lawsuits accused it of ignoring red flags.
Clinton, who flew on Epstein’s private jet and was photographed with him on several occasions, has denied any knowledge of the financier’s crimes.
“These emails prove Bill Clinton did nothing and knew nothing,” said Clinton spokesperson Angel Ureña. “The rest is noise meant to distract from election losses and shutdowns.”
Emails released this week include exchanges between Epstein and high-profile associates, including Summers and Hoffman. While the messages reveal social and philanthropic ties, no incriminating content has surfaced.
Summers, a former Harvard president and cabinet member under Clinton, expressed regret over his interactions with Epstein, calling them “a major error of judgment.”
Hoffman, who funded writer E. Jean Carroll’s lawsuit against Trump, said he met Epstein only for MIT fundraising purposes.
“I was never a client of Epstein’s and never engaged in any personal or business relationship with him,” Hoffman said. He accused Trump of political persecution and urged the full release of all Epstein files.
Bondi’s appointment of Clayton suggests the investigation will remain centered in New York, the jurisdiction where Epstein was charged in 2019 after previously receiving a lenient plea deal in Florida. That earlier agreement, widely criticized, allowed Epstein to serve only 13 months with work-release privileges after pleading guilty to soliciting prostitution from a minor.
Epstein’s 2019 arrest reignited scrutiny into his extensive social network, which included politicians, celebrities, academics, and financiers. He died by suicide in jail while awaiting trial for sex trafficking.
Trump, who previously teased releasing the Epstein case files during his campaign, has since reframed the matter as a partisan issue. As House Democrats pushed for transparency by releasing emails involving Trump and Epstein, the president and his allies struck back with a much larger document dump.
Among the documents shared by Republicans were emails to Steve Bannon and to Britain’s Prince Andrew—now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor—who settled a civil lawsuit with one of Epstein’s accusers.
Trump, speaking on Friday, said he has “no problem” with releasing the Epstein files but insisted any investigation should be comprehensive. “If you’re going to do it, then you have to go into Epstein’s friends,” he said, naming Clinton and Hoffman.
Still, Trump dismissed the controversy as another “Democrat hoax,” suggesting some Republicans who support full transparency are being manipulated.
“A few Republicans have gone along with it because they’re weak and ineffective,” he said.
The House is preparing for a vote next week that would compel the Justice Department to release all Epstein-related documents and communications. The measure has bipartisan support, though motivations differ: while some seek justice and transparency, others view it as a political weapon.
Observers say the investigation ordered by Trump risks further politicizing the Justice Department, especially given the absence of new allegations or evidence. Legal analysts note that reopening probes without cause—particularly when politically targeted—undermines the DOJ’s credibility.
Nonetheless, Bondi emphasized her office’s commitment to “integrity and urgency.” Trump praised her efforts but claimed credit for selecting Clayton. “He’s a great man, a great attorney,” Trump said.
As political and legal tensions intensify, the Epstein saga continues to stir controversy years after the disgraced financier’s death. Whether this latest chapter uncovers new facts or merely amplifies partisan conflict remains to be seen.
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