The U.S. Justice Department announced its intention to investigate Jeffrey Epstein’s connections with former President Bill Clinton and JPMorgan, responding to President Donald Trump’s request. Trump’s move to divert attention from his own ties to Epstein follows the release of documents by a congressional committee, raising queries about Trump’s relationship with the late financier. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi disclosed that Jay Clayton, the lead federal prosecutor in Manhattan, will oversee the inquiry.
Trump has urged the Justice Department to also look into former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers and Reid Hoffman, the founder of LinkedIn, mentioned in the recently unveiled Epstein-related documents. Trump emphasized that Epstein’s association with the Democrats, including Clinton, should not be attributed to his Republican party. JPMorgan expressed regret for its past dealings with Epstein, stating it did not aid him in committing any illicit acts.
In response to the developments, Clinton’s deputy chief of staff and Hoffman denied any involvement in Epstein’s wrongdoing, emphasizing they had no knowledge of his actions. Despite a previous memo stating no grounds for investigating third parties in the Epstein case, the Justice Department agreed to Trump’s request. The ongoing scrutiny reflects Trump’s efforts to distance himself from Epstein amid mounting public scrutiny.
The House of Representatives is set to vote on legislation compelling the Justice Department to release all Epstein-related materials. Amidst growing discontent, only a minority of Republicans approve of Trump’s handling of the Epstein affair, reflecting broader concerns about transparency and accountability. Critics argue that Trump’s attempts to shift focus may not overshadow his own links to Epstein, as the saga involving prominent figures continues to unfold.