The US Department of Justice announced on Friday (November 14) that it will continue to investigate Jeffrey Epstein’s alleged links to former President Bill Clinton and US bank JPMorgan, following a request for an investigation by President Donald Trump.
The move comes shortly after a congressional committee released thousands of documents raising new questions about Trump’s relationship with the late financier.
Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed that Jay Clayton, the top federal prosecutor in Manhattan, will lead the investigation.
Trump is targeting prominent Democrats
Trump, along with Clinton, called for investigations into former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers and LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman, both named in 20,000 Epstein-related documents released Wednesday by the House Oversight Committee.
“Epstein was a Democrat and it’s a Democrat problem, not a Republican problem! Everyone knows about him, don’t waste your time with Trump. I have a country to run!” Trump wrote on social media.
Trump’s ties to Epstein
Trump and Epstein were known throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. Trump says he severed ties with Epstein before the financier pleaded guilty in 2008 to charges of soliciting a minor for prostitution. Trump has repeatedly denied knowing about Epstein’s abuse of and sex trafficking of underage girls.
Despite these denials, some Trump supporters have accused his administration of a cover-up, alleging that federal officials covered up Epstein’s contacts with influential figures. Trump has avoided public comment in the past few days as new documents and revelations have emerged.
Congress event
The Republican-controlled House of Representatives is expected to vote next week on legislation forcing the Justice Department to release all material it has on Epstein, who was facing federal sex-trafficking charges at the time of his 2019 suicide.
If passed in the House, it would also require Senate approval and Trump’s signature to compel the Justice Department to act.
