Latest news with #federalCustody
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Epstein fallout latest: Trump threatens to sue WSJ and orders release of grand jury testimony
Amid the fallout over his handling of the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, President Trump is now saying that he has directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to unseal grand jury testimony in the late accused sex trafficker's criminal case. 'Based on the ridiculous amount of publicity given to Jeffrey Epstein, I have asked Attorney General Pam Bondi to produce any and all pertinent Grand Jury testimony, subject to Court approval,' Trump wrote in a Truth Social post Thursday. 'This SCAM, perpetuated by the Democrats, should end, right now!' It's unclear whether a judge would approve such a request or if the release of that material would appease Trump supporters demanding to see all of the files the government has on Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 while in federal custody awaiting trial. The post came less than an hour after Trump vowed to sue the Wall Street Journal over a report that he sent Epstein a racy birthday letter in 2003. In a separate Truth Social post, the president said that he personally warned the newspaper's owner, Rupert Murdoch, and its editor, Emma Tucker, that the letter was 'FAKE' before the report was published and called the story 'false, malicious, and defamatory.' What did the WSJ report say? According to the Journal, Trump's letter, along with dozens of others, was part of a leather-bound book put together by Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell for the disgraced financier's 50th birthday. 'Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret,' Trump's letter concluded in a typewritten message to Epstein, per the Journal. The text was 'framed by the outline of a naked woman, which appears to be hand-drawn with heavy marker,' the report stated. 'A pair of small arcs denotes the woman's breasts, and the future president's signature is a squiggly 'Donald' below her waist, mimicking pubic hair.' The president responded in another Truth Social post after the Journal's story was published. "These are not my words, not the way I talk,' Trump wrote. 'Also, I don't draw pictures." How did we get here? Epstein has long been the focus of unfounded conspiracy theories, pushed by some of Trump's prominent supporters, which claim the late financier was murdered to conceal the names of powerful people on a secret 'client list.' During the 2024 campaign, Trump said he would consider releasing additional government files on Epstein. And when Trump took office earlier this year, he directed the Justice Department to conduct an exhaustive review of the evidence collected on Epstein. Appearing on Fox News in February, Attorney General Pam Bondi said the Epstein client list was 'sitting on my desk right now to review.' 'That's been a directive by President Trump,' she added. But last week, the DOJ and FBI released a two-page joint memo, concluding Epstein 'committed suicide in his cell' and had no 'client list.' What was the reaction to the memo? The memo angered some high-profile MAGA loyalists — including Tucker Carlson, former senior White House adviser Steve Bannon, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and far-right provocateur Laura Loomer — and led to a reported rift between Bondi and high-ranking FBI officials. Last weekend, Trump released a lengthy statement expressing his frustration over the Epstein saga. 'We're on one Team, MAGA, and I don't like what's happening,' Trump wrote on Truth Social. 'We have a PERFECT Administration, THE TALK OF THE WORLD, and 'selfish people' are trying to hurt it, all over a guy who never dies, Jeffrey Epstein. For years, it's Epstein, over and over again. 'One year ago our Country was DEAD, now it's the 'HOTTEST' Country anywhere in the World,' he added. 'Let's keep it that way, and not waste Time and Energy on Jeffrey Epstein, somebody that nobody cares about.' Then on Wednesday, Trump lashed out at his supporters while repeatedly referring to the case as 'the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax.' 'My PAST supporters have bought into this 'bullshit,' hook, line, and sinker,' the president fumed in a Truth Social post. 'All these people want to talk about, with strong prodding by the Fake News and the success starved Dems, is the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax.' What has Trump said about his relationship with Epstein? The Journal report also put a spotlight on the president's past relationship with Epstein. 'I've known Jeff for 15 years,' Trump told New York Magazine for a 2002 profile of Epstein. 'Terrific guy. He's a lot of fun to be with. It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side.' In 2019, after Epstein was arrested on federal sex trafficking charges, the president distanced himself, saying he was 'not a fan.' 'Well, I knew him like everybody in Palm Beach knew him,' Trump told reporters following Epstein's arrest. 'I mean, people in Palm Beach knew him. He was a fixture in Palm Beach. I had a falling out with him a long time ago. I don't think I've spoken to him for 15 years. I wasn't a fan."
The Guardian
16-07-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
US House speaker Mike Johnson calls for release of Epstein files amid backlash
Mike Johnson, speaker of the House, called for the justice department to make public documents related to the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, breaking with Donald Trump over an issue that has roiled the president's rightwing base. It was a rare moment of friction between Trump and the speaker, a top ally on Capitol Hill, and came as the president faces growing backlash from conservatives who had expected him to make public everything known about Epstein, who killed himself in 2019 while in federal custody as he faced sex-trafficking charges. Last week, the justice department announced that his death was a suicide and that, despite conspiracy theories to the contrary, there was no list of his clients to be made public nor would there be further disclosures about the case. Conservative allies of the president have since criticized him and the attorney general, Pam Bondi, for what they see as opaque handling of a case that Trump campaigned on getting to the bottom of. 'It's a very delicate subject, but we should put everything out there and let the people decide it,' Johnson told Benny Johnson, a rightwing podcaster, in an interview released on Tuesday. 'I agree with the sentiment that we need to put it out there.' Referring to a comment Bondi made to Fox News this year that Epstein's client list was 'sitting on my desk right now to review', Johnson said: 'She needs to come forward and explain that to everybody. 'We need the DoJ focusing on the major priorities. So let's get this thing resolved,' the speaker added. Earlier in the day, Republicans voted down an attempt by Democrats to insert language into legislation that would require files related to the Epstein case to be made public. But the minority party is determined to keep the issue alive, and Democrats on the House judiciary committee have demanded that its Republican chair, Trump ally Jim Jordan, hold a hearing with Bondi and her deputy as well as the leaders of the FBI to answer questions about Epstein. Trump has sought to quell the furor that has erupted within his Maga base over the justice department's conclusion. Over the weekend, he wrote on Truth Social: 'One year ago our Country was DEAD, now it's the 'HOTTEST' Country anywhere in the World. Let's keep it that way, and not waste Time and Energy on Jeffrey Epstein, somebody that nobody cares about.' As he departed the White House for Pittsburgh earlier on Tuesday, Trump defended Bondi, but hinted that more documents could be forthcoming. 'She's handled it very well, and it's going to be up to her. Whatever she thinks is credible, she should release,' he said. Sign up to This Week in Trumpland A deep dive into the policies, controversies and oddities surrounding the Trump administration after newsletter promotion Speaking to NBC News on Tuesday, Bondi was asked about the frustration from Trump's Maga base surrounding her department's handling of the Epstein investigation. 'We're going to fight to keep America safe again,' she said on a different topic. 'We're fighting together as a team. That's what's so important right now. We've got a war on drugs. We've got a war on human trafficking, we've got cartels in this country … we have got foreign adversaries around this world as well, and we're all going to work together as a team.' Asked about Trump's earlier remarks that she should release whatever files she thinks are 'credible', Bondi added: 'Today, our memo speaks for itself. We'll get back to you on anything else. I haven't seen all of his statements today.' At a press conference earlier on drug enforcement, Bondi had refused to answer questions about Epstein. 'Today is about fentanyl overdoses throughout our country and people who have lost loved ones to fentanyl,' she said. 'That's the message that we're here to send today. Not Epstein. Not going to talk about Epstein.' Robert Mackey contributed reporting
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
US House speaker Mike Johnson calls for release of Epstein files amid backlash
Mike Johnson, speaker of the House, called for the justice department to make public documents related to the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, breaking with Donald Trump over an issue that has roiled the president's rightwing base. It was a rare moment of friction between Trump and the speaker, a top ally on Capitol Hill, and came as the president faces growing backlash from conservatives who had expected him to make public everything known about Epstein, who killed himself in 2019 while in federal custody as he faced sex-trafficking charges. Last week, the justice department announced that his death was a suicide and that, despite conspiracy theories to the contrary, there was no list of his clients to be made public nor would there be further disclosures about the case. Conservative allies of the president have since criticized him and the attorney general, Pam Bondi, for what they see as opaque handling of a case that Trump campaigned on getting to the bottom of. 'It's a very delicate subject, but we should put everything out there and let the people decide it,' Johnson told Benny Johnson, a rightwing podcaster, in an interview released on Tuesday. 'I agree with the sentiment that we need to put it out there.' Referring to a comment Bondi made to Fox News this year that Epstein's client list was 'sitting on my desk right now to review', Johnson said: 'She needs to come forward and explain that to everybody. 'We need the DoJ focusing on the major priorities. So let's get this thing resolved,' the speaker added. Earlier in the day, Republicans voted down an attempt by Democrats to insert language into legislation that would require files related to the Epstein case to be made public. But the minority party is determined to keep the issue alive, and Democrats on the House judiciary committee have demanded that its Republican chair, Trump ally Jim Jordan, hold a hearing with Bondi and her deputy as well as the leaders of the FBI to answer questions about Epstein. Trump has sought to quell the furor that has erupted within his Maga base over the justice department's conclusion. Over the weekend, he wrote on Truth Social: 'One year ago our Country was DEAD, now it's the 'HOTTEST' Country anywhere in the World. Let's keep it that way, and not waste Time and Energy on Jeffrey Epstein, somebody that nobody cares about.' As he departed the White House for Pittsburgh earlier on Tuesday, Trump defended Bondi, but hinted that more documents could be forthcoming. 'She's handled it very well, and it's going to be up to her. Whatever she thinks is credible, she should release,' he said. Related: Democrats demand Pam Bondi and Kash Patel be summoned for Epstein hearing Speaking to NBC News on Tuesday, Bondi was asked about the frustration from Trump's Maga base surrounding her department's handling of the Epstein investigation. 'We're going to fight to keep America safe again,' she said on a different topic. 'We're fighting together as a team. That's what's so important right now. We've got a war on drugs. We've got a war on human trafficking, we've got cartels in this country … we have got foreign adversaries around this world as well, and we're all going to work together as a team.' Asked about Trump's earlier remarks that she should release whatever files she thinks are 'credible', Bondi added: 'Today, our memo speaks for itself. We'll get back to you on anything else. I haven't seen all of his statements today.' At a press conference earlier on drug enforcement, Bondi had refused to answer questions about Epstein. 'Today is about fentanyl overdoses throughout our country and people who have lost loved ones to fentanyl,' she said. 'That's the message that we're here to send today. Not Epstein. Not going to talk about Epstein.' Robert Mackey contributed reporting
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Two more Ice deaths put US on track for one of deadliest years in immigration detention
The Trump administration is on track to oversee one of the deadliest years for immigrant detention as of late after the recent deaths of two men – one from Cuba and another from Canada – while in federal custody. A 75-year-old Cuban man died last week while being held by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice), CBS News reported, citing a notification sent to Congress. This would mark the 13th death in its facilities during the 2025 fiscal year, which began in October. At least two of those have been classified as suicides. In comparison, Ice reported 12 deaths in the fiscal year 2024. Advocates and immigration attorneys say deteriorating conditions inside an already strained detention system are contributing to the rise in deaths, which has unfolded as the administration aggressively ramps up efforts to deport millions of migrants. Under the past three administrations, the worst year saw 12 deaths in Ice custody. If the current pace continues, the total for 2025 could double those numbers. Critics say the system is collapsing under the pressure of Ice's target of detaining about 3,000 people each day. As of mid-June, more than 56,000 migrants were being held – that is 140% of the agency's stated capacity. 'These are the worst conditions I have seen in my 20-year career,' Paul Chavez, litigation and advocacy director at Americans for Immigrant Justice, told the New York Times. 'Conditions were never great, but this is horrendous.' Among the recent fatalities are 49-year-old Johnny Noviello, a Canadian who was found unresponsive on 23 June at a detention facility in Miami. Another is Jesus Molina-Veya, 45, who died on 7 June while in Ice custody in Atlanta. Molina-Veya, from Mexico, was found unconscious with a ligature around his neck, according to officials. His death remains under investigation. In response to Noviello's death, the Canadian government has pressed US authorities for more information. 'The government of Canada was notified of the death of a Canadian citizen while in custody in the United States. Canadian consular officials are urgently seeking more information from US officials. I offer my sincere condolences to the family,' Anita Anand, Canada's minister of foreign affairs, wrote on X. Despite the high death toll, immigration enforcement remains a top funding priority for the Trump administration. Border and immigration enforcement have been making up two-thirds of federal law enforcement spending. Under Trump's proposed 'big, beautiful bill', the US would commit $350bn to national security, including for the president's mass deportation agenda.
The Guardian
30-06-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Two more Ice deaths put US on track for one of deadliest years in immigration detention
The Trump administration is on track to oversee one of the deadliest years for immigrant detention as of late after the recent deaths of two men – one from Cuba and another from Canada – while in federal custody. A 75-year-old Cuban man died last week while being held by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice), CBS News reported, citing a notification sent to Congress. This would mark the 13th death in its facilities during the 2025 fiscal year, which began in October. At least two of those have been classified as suicides. In comparison, Ice reported 12 deaths in the fiscal year 2024. Advocates and immigration attorneys say deteriorating conditions inside an already strained detention system are contributing to the rise in deaths, which has unfolded as the administration aggressively ramps up efforts to deport millions of migrants. Under the past three administrations, the worst year saw 12 deaths in Ice custody. If the current pace continues, the total for 2025 could double those numbers. Critics say the system is collapsing under the pressure of Ice's target of detaining about 3,000 people each day. As of mid-June, more than 56,000 migrants were being held – that is 140% of the agency's stated capacity. 'These are the worst conditions I have seen in my 20-year career,' Paul Chavez, litigation and advocacy director at Americans for Immigrant Justice, told the New York Times. 'Conditions were never great, but this is horrendous.' Among the recent fatalities are 49-year-old Johnny Noviello, a Canadian who was found unresponsive on 23 June at a detention facility in Miami. Another is Jesus Molina-Veya, 45, who died on 7 June while in Ice custody in Atlanta. Molina-Veya, from Mexico, was found unconscious with a ligature around his neck, according to officials. His death remains under investigation. In response to Noviello's death, the Canadian government has pressed US authorities for more information. 'The government of Canada was notified of the death of a Canadian citizen while in custody in the United States. Canadian consular officials are urgently seeking more information from US officials. I offer my sincere condolences to the family,' Anita Anand, Canada's minister of foreign affairs, wrote on X. Despite the high death toll, immigration enforcement remains a top funding priority for the Trump administration. Border and immigration enforcement have been making up two-thirds of federal law enforcement spending. Under Trump's proposed 'big, beautiful bill', the US would commit $350bn to national security, including for the president's mass deportation agenda.
