The U.S. Justice Department announced Friday that it will act on President Donald Trump’s request to investigate alleged ties between convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and former Democratic President Bill Clinton, as well as JPMorgan (JPM.N), a bank where Epstein held accounts. The move comes shortly after a congressional committee released thousands of documents shedding light on Trump’s own past interactions with Epstein, signaling the latest effort by Trump to shift scrutiny away from himself and toward political rivals.
Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that Jay Clayton, the top federal prosecutor in Manhattan, will lead the investigation. This decision adds another layer to the ongoing political and legal fallout surrounding Epstein, whose death by suicide in a Manhattan jail in 2019 has continued to fuel public and political debate. Many Trump supporters believe that details surrounding Epstein’s activities and connections have been obscured, including alleged ties to powerful figures, and some view Trump’s actions as an effort to address these perceived gaps.
Alongside Clinton, Trump indicated he requested the Justice Department to examine former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers and LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman, both prominent Democratic donors. All three individuals were referenced in the approximately 20,000 documents released by the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday. Trump wrote on social media, “Epstein was a Democrat, and he is the Democrat’s problem, not the Republican’s problem! 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 prior association with Epstein, noting that he was a client from 1998 to 2013, but stressing that the bank did not assist him in committing any “heinous acts.” Clinton and Summers did not immediately respond to requests for comment, while Hoffman could not be reached.
Trump Faces Scrutiny Over Epstein Ties
Trump’s personal connection with Epstein dates back to the 1990s and 2000s, though he has said he severed ties before Epstein’s 2008 guilty plea on charges of soliciting a minor for prostitution. Trump has consistently denied awareness of Epstein’s sexual abuse and trafficking of minors, but some of his supporters have suggested a cover-up by his administration. Amid these revelations, Trump has largely avoided taking questions from reporters.
Legislative action is also in motion, with the Republican-controlled House of Representatives expected to vote on a bill next week that would require the Justice Department to release all materials it holds on Epstein. The bill would need Senate approval and Trump’s signature to take effect. Despite Trump’s overall approval remaining high among Republicans, a Reuters/Ipsos poll from October found that only four in ten Republicans approved of his handling of the Epstein-related documents.
Legal experts have criticized Trump’s approach. Alan Rozenshtein, a University of Minnesota law professor and former Justice Department lawyer, said, “Trump is clearly desperately trying to distract from his own presence in the Epstein emails.” Patrick J. Cotter, a former federal prosecutor, stated, “It’s outrageously inappropriate for the president to be giving orders to the Department of Justice to investigate individual United States citizens. That is not how it’s supposed to work.”
JPMorgan recently paid $290 million in 2023 to some of Epstein’s victims to settle claims that it had ignored internal warnings and overlooked red flags while Epstein was a client. The bank did not admit wrongdoing in the settlement. Meanwhile, no credible evidence has emerged that Clinton, Summers, or Hoffman were involved in Epstein’s sex trafficking, though all have acknowledged connections with him. Clinton traveled on Epstein’s private jet several times before his 2008 conviction, Summers received philanthropic gifts from Epstein during his tenure at Harvard, and Hoffman met Epstein in professional settings. Epstein also associated with numerous other high-profile individuals, including the UK’s former Prince Andrew.
Trump has used the Justice Department to pursue other political opponents, some facing charges that outside experts describe as politically motivated. Clayton, the Manhattan prosecutor now leading this probe, is a political independent who previously chaired the Securities and Exchange Commission during Trump’s first term.
Justice Department Steps Into Epstein Investigation
The Justice Department’s announcement represents the latest development in the ongoing scrutiny of Epstein’s connections with prominent figures, as well as Trump’s efforts to direct attention toward political rivals. With investigations now underway, questions about Epstein’s relationships, the Justice Department’s role, and the broader political implications remain at the forefront of public discussion.
