Although Jeffrey Epstein passed away in 2019, he continues to be a burden for US President Donald Trump.
During his campaign for the 2024 presidential election, Trump pledged to unveil all documents related to Epstein held by the US Justice Department.
As President, he could fulfill that commitment with a simple social media update. Instead, he has taken every measure to block such revelations.
Some analysts suggest that Trump has finally changed his previous stance on disclosing the documents. This is not true. Instead, he has implemented a different approach to maintain his real goal – ongoing confidentiality.
He is counting on his loyal supporter, US Attorney-General Pam Bondi, to carry it out.
Attempt 1: Avoidance
In July, the Justice Department led by Bondi and FBI director Kash Patel announced that the thorough investigation into Epstein's trafficking of minors was concluded after a detailed examination of all relevant documents.
“The evidence we found does not support starting an investigation against any uncharged third parties,” the statement noted.
The department also mentioned that no further documents from the Epstein case would be made available: “Additional disclosures are neither justified nor suitable. ”
Attempt 2: The backlash
As Trump’s supporters expressed outrage over the absence of file releases from his administration, he criticized his fellow Republicans.
He labeled those advocating for increased openness as “foolish,” “dim-witted,” and duped by a “Democratic scheme. ”
This approach was ineffective.
Attempt 3: The insincere request
The frustration from MAGA supporters intensified. In response, Trump instructed Bondi to request the release of grand jury documents related to Epstein and his accomplice, Ghislane Maxwell.
It was a tactic. Trump and his legal team were aware that the courts were unlikely to release such documents, which represented only a small part of the DOJ's files. True to expectation, the documents were not released. Additionally, multiple judges issued scathing opinions revealing the absurdity of the situation and criticized Bondi for her pursuit of this course of action.
Attempt 4: The facade of clarity
Bondi's subsequent strategy for Trump involved supplying documents following a summons from the US House Oversight Committee.
It was revealed that merely 3 percent of the 20,000 documents presented were previously unseen. Additionally, courts had established that the Epstein files contained 100,000 documents. Where were the other files?
Attempt 5: The closure
In September, a Democrat secured victory in the Arizona special election for the US House of Representatives.
Consequently, a petition to discharge a resolution demanding the release of the Epstein files would obtain the vital 218th signature necessary to compel a vote on the House floor.
However, Trump's ally in the House, Republican Speaker Mike Johnson, declined to formally recognize newly elected member Adelita Grijalva.
He asserted that since the House was in recess due to the government shutdown, he was unable to welcome her. This was a tactic that allowed Trump time to influence votes.
Attempt 6: The Forceful Approach
In the House, three Republicans allied with Democrats to achieve the necessary 218 votes to advance the resolution concerning Epstein.
Bondi and Patel encountered one of these Republicans, Laura Boebert, in the situation room at the White House.
Nancy Mace was the second Republican target.
Trump publicly criticized the third Republican who left the party, Marjorie Taylor Greene. He rescinded his endorsement labeling her as wacky a disgrace a traitor and a nuisance.
None of the Republicans changed their stance. It appeared Trump would not succeed in the House vote.
Attempt 7: Returning to Bondi
Confronted with the fact that he couldn't prevent the House from approving the resolution that mandated the release of the Epstein documents, Trump stated that he would sign the resolution after it cleared the Senate.
This was also a tactic. He once more turned to Bondi for a way out. In a post on social media, Trump announced:
I will request AG Pam Bondi and the Justice Department, along with our wonderful patriots at the FBI, to investigate Jeffrey Epstein's connections and relations with Bill Clinton, Larry Summers, Reid Hoffman, JP Morgan, Chase, and numerous other individuals and entities to find out what was happening involving them and him.
Just 217 minutes later, Bondi replied:
Thank you, Mr. President. US Attorney Jay Clayton from the SDNY is one of the most skilled and reliable prosecutors in the nation, and I’ve asked him to head this effort. As with all issues, the Department will handle this with promptness and honesty to provide answers for the American public.
And here’s the twist: The Justice Department will not disclose information related to an ongoing investigation.
The inquiries initiated by Trump may very well be adequate. Jay Clayton, despite lacking any background in criminal law and previously holding an esteemed reputation as a corporate partner at the prestigious firm Sullivan & Cromwell, faces an important challenge to his integrity.
The rationale provided for the DOJ's regulation is that making certain information public might hinder the investigative efforts.
Disregard the fact that in July, Bondi remarked that the thorough examination by the department of the total records “failed to reveal any evidence that could justify an inquiry into uncharged third parties. ”
Furthermore, the department can decide to share or withhold information as it sees fit. There is no effective mechanism for enforcement.
If the Justice Department keeps information related to Trump regarding Epstein under wraps, the public may never be informed unless a whistleblower comes forward. However, Trump, Bondi, and Patel have removed from the department's upper echelons anyone who does not pledge loyalty to Trump.
The next time you hear claims that Trump has changed his previous stance on making the Epstein files public, keep in mind that he has not.
He could have mandated their release quite some time ago without needing a congressional order to do so.
Yet Pam Bondi has changed her mind regarding the files, now claiming they do contain elements that require additional inquiry into those linked to Epstein.
At the helm of America's Department of Justice is someone who is only trustworthy in the eyes of Donald Trump.
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