Latest news with #specialprosecutor
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump Won't Recommend A Special Prosecutor In Epstein Case, White House Says
President Donald Trump will not recommend a special prosecutor in the investigation of late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said at a press briefing Thursday. 'The president would not recommend a special prosecutor in the Epstein case. That's how he feels,' Leavitt told reporters, as she confirmed that the idea had been floated to him by someone in the media. (A special prosecutor is usually relied on in instances where the main prosecutor has a conflict of interest or other issue that would prevent them from being unbiased in a particular case.) Epstein's death and his criminal trial, numerous investigations and lawsuits (collectively known as 'the Epstein files') have been the subject of debate for many right-wingers for years. Many have called for the files to be released — and some have — and for an additional investigation into Epstein and who was involved in his alleged sex trafficking. Trump previously had a relationship with the late disgraced financier, who died in a jail cell in 2019 as he awaited a trial on sex trafficking charges. Last year, while on the campaign trail, Trump claimed at least twice that he would release the Epstein files, but he has since reversed course. Billionaire Tesla CEO Elon Musk, whom Trump has had a rocky relationship with over the years, blasted Trump on his social media platform X over the Epstein files last month. 'Time to drop the really big bomb,' Musk said. '[Trump] is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public.' Last week, the Justice Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation said in a memo that they did not find any evidence that Epstein had a so-called 'client list' he had been rumored to have used as blackmail. It also said they would not release any additional information in the future. When prompted by a reporter at Thursday's press briefing, Leavitt rejected the idea that the White House could release the Epstein files with redactions protecting sensitive information. 'In terms of redactions or grand jury seals, those are questions for the Department of Justice. Those are also questions for the judges who have that information under a seal. And that would have to be requested and a judge would have to approve it. That's out of the president's control,' Leavitt said. Trump has largely tried to move away from the publicity surrounding the Epstein case, calling it a 'hoax.' Still, he's drawn the ire of some of his supporters and many of his Republican colleagues who continue to call for more transparency about the Epstein files. Fox News' Jacqui Heinrich asked Leavitt Thursday to 'clarify which part of the Epstein 'hoax' is the 'hoax'' that Trump has referred to. 'The president is referring to the fact that Democrats have now seized on this as if they ever wanted transparency when it comes to Jeffrey Epstein, which is an asinine suggestion for any Democrat to make,' Leavitt said. 'The Democrats had control of this building, the White House, for four years, and they didn't do a dang thing when it came to transparency in regards to Jeffrey Epstein and his heinous crimes.' While authorities said in the memo that they 'did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties,' they also confirmed that Epstein harmed more than 1,000 victims and that DOJ officials reviewed included more than 10,000 'downloaded videos and images of illegal child sex abuse material and other pornography.' It also included 10 hours worth of video footage — with one minute missing — of Epstein's prison cell before his death to prove that he died by suicide. Right-wing conspiracy theorists — including Trump, FBI Director Kash Patel and FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino — have argued that Epstein did not commit suicide, but was instead killed by powerful figures attempting to keep secrets hidden. 'One of our highest priorities is combatting child exploitation and bringing justice to victims,' the memo read. 'Perpetuating unfounded theories about Epstein serves neither of those ends.' The memo directly clashed with Attorney General Pam Bondi's claim to Fox News in February that she obtained the list and planned to review it following 'a directive by President Trump.' Related... Fired Jeffrey Epstein Prosecutor Warns Fear Is The 'Tool Of A Tyrant' Gavin Newsom Mocks Trump's Epstein Diversion With His Sweetest Jab Yet Rep. Jasmine Crockett Has 1 'Very Interesting' Question About Trump's Link To Epstein Trump Melts Down Over 'Jeffrey Epstein Hoax' — And The Internet Explodes
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump won't recommend special counsel in Epstein case
US President Donald Trump will not recommend appointing a special prosecutor in the Jeffrey Epstein case, his press secretary says. Trump is facing pressure from some of his supporters and renewed public scrutiny on the convicted sex offender's connections to powerful figures. "The president would not recommend a special prosecutor in the Epstein case. That's how he feels," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Thursday. Leavitt said Trump had already directed the Justice Department and Attorney General Pam Bondi to conduct an "exhaustive review of all files", dismissing the renewed interest in Epstein as politically motivated and accusing Democrats of ignoring the issue during their time in power. Epstein, a wealthy financier, was facing federal charges of sex-trafficking minors when he died by suicide in jail in 2019. He had pleaded not guilty, and the case was dismissed after his death. The topic returned to the news last week after the Trump administration reversed course on its pledge to release documents it had previously suggested would offer major revelations about Epstein and his alleged clientele. Officials said Epstein did not maintain a much-hyped "client list" and said the evidence was clear he had died by suicide despite conspiracy theories to the contrary. That reversal has enraged some of Trump's most loyal followers. News organisation Just the News published excerpts on Wednesday from a Trump interview in which the president said he would be open to having a special counsel look into "anything credible" related to Epstein, as well as other long-standing grievances he and his supporters have long raised. But Leavitt appeared to close the door on a special counsel for the Epstein investigation, saying "the idea was floated from someone in the media to the president". Justice Department regulations allow for the attorney general to appoint and supervise an outside special counsel to investigate allegations of criminal wrongdoing in instances when prosecutors might face a potential or perceived conflict of interest. The department in recent years has appointed a succession of special counsels — sometimes, though not always, plucked from outside the agency — to lead investigations into politically sensitive matters, including into conduct by former president Joe Biden and by Trump. On Wednesday, Trump attacked supporters who have been critical of his administration's handling of the Epstein case. "Let these weaklings continue forward and do the Democrats work, don't even think about talking of our incredible and unprecedented success, because I don't want their support anymore!" Trump said on his platform Truth Social. Later in the day, he said Bondi should release whatever she thinks is credible. "Whatever's credible, she can release," he told reporters. "If a document's there that's credible, she can release. I think it's good." With AP
CBS News
4 days ago
- Politics
- CBS News
Trump "would not recommend" appointing a special prosecutor in Epstein case, Leavitt says
President Trump "would not recommend" that Attorney General Pam Bondi appoint a special prosecutor to handle the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday. Leavitt's remarks came after the president on Wednesday said the controversy over his administration's handling of information from investigations into the late convicted sex offender Epstein is a "hoax" and "bulls***," and lambasted Republicans calling for more transparency as "weaklings." Many of the president's supporters, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, have called for the Justice Department to release all of its records related to Epstein, who died in 2019 while awaiting trial for child sex trafficking. On Thursday, a reporter asked Leavitt if the president has asked Bondi to appoint a special prosecutor in the Epstein case. Some of the president's allies have called for such a move. "The president would not recommend a special prosecutor in the Epstein case," Leavitt said. "That's how he feels. And as for his discussions with the attorney general, I'm not sure." Bondi has been criticized by some in Mr. Trump's base after the Justice Department and FBI said in a memo earlier this month there was no evidence Epstein kept a "client list," and there was no evidence that Epstein had blackmailed prominent figures. The memo also said Epstein died by suicide while in federal custody in 2019. Frustration has continued to simmer, with some right-wing influencers calling for Bondi's resignation over her handling of the case's records. In the past, Bondi had pledged to release documents on the government's Epstein investigation. The president this week called interest in the Epstein case "boring," but also said Bondi should release "whatever she thinks is credible" in the Epstein case. Mr. Trump claimed conspiracies about the case were constructed by Democrats. "It's all been a big hoax, it's perpetrated by the Democrats, and some stupid Republicans and foolish Republicans fall into the net," Mr. Trump said in the Oval Office on Wednesday.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
The move comes after the president referred to 'past' supporters as 'weaklings' for wanting to know more.
President Donald Trump has once again snubbed his MAGA base by rejecting pleas to appoint a special prosecutor to examine the Epstein files. Despite Republicans' growing frustration over the political firestorm engulfing the president for his handling of the issue, Trump ruled out recommending an independent counsel to review the matter and assuage concerns about a possible cover-up. 'The president would not recommend a special prosecutor in the Epstein case,' White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt told reporters during a White House briefing on Thursday. 'That's how he feels.'
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Trump won't appoint a special prosecutor for Epstein 'hoax' as Karoline Leavitt mocks renewed interest
The White House clarified Thursday that President Donald Trump does not support appointing a special prosecutor to review files related to the Jeffrey Epstein case. It signals a shift in the president's thinking after he considered having his Attorney General Pam Bondi appoint one a day earlier following outrage from his MAGA base. 'The president would not recommend a special prosecutor in the Epstein case. That's how he feels,' White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told the Daily Mail in the daily briefing. Leavitt said the president was confident in the Justice Department's 'exhaustive' work on the case. 'The Attorney General and the FBI, led by Pam Bondi, Dan Bongino, Kash Patel. These are great patriots. Some of the most trusted voices in the Republican party movement,' she said. 'It's part of the reason the president appointed them to these high law enforcement positions.' Leavitt said Trump also supported the release of any new details in the case if necessary. 'The president has said if the Attorney General and Department of Justice and the FBI have more credible evidence in regards to Jeffrey Epstein's crimes, they should put that forward,' she said. Leavitt further mocked Congressional Democrats for demonstrating newfound interest in the case, accusing them of doing so now for political reasons. 'They had control of the White House for four years, and they didn't do a dang thing when it came to transparency in regards to Jeffrey Epstein and his heinous crimes,' she said. During an interview with on Wednesday, Trump seemed open to appointing a prosecutor to look into Epstein and other conspiracies. When he was asked about his support of a special prosecutor reviewing the 'weaponization' of the DOJ against conservatives in the 2016 election, Trump said he did and that a special prosecutor could look into the Epstein files as well. 'I think they could look at all of it. It's all the same scam. They could look at this Jeffrey Epstein hoax also, because that's the same stuff that's all put out by Democrats,' Trump said when asked what he'd most like to see the FBI investigate. Trump expressed concerns that former intelligence and law enforcement officials could have tampered with evidence surrounding Epstein case. 'I can imagine what they put into files, just like they did with the others. I mean, the Steele dossier was a total fake, right? It took two years to figure that out,' he said, referring to former FBI directors James Comey and Christopher Wray. He described the case as a 'hoax' and lamented that Republicans were still hung up on the case despite an effort by the Attorney General Pam Bondi and the Department of Justice to put the controversial case behind them. 'But they ought to look into the Jeffrey Epstein hoax too, because that's another hoax that's frankly, put out by the Democrats pushing, pushing the Republicans, and put out by the Democrats,' he added. The president and his administration face ongoing controversy after the Justice Department announced in a memo that there was no evidence to support the conspiracy theory that Epstein was murdered in prison and that he did not have a client 'list' that they could release. The news sparked outrage from the president's followers who anticipated the eventual release of the files after Trump promised during his presidential campaign to release them. Congressional Democrats jumped on the case, further exploiting the disappointment from Trump's base, even suggesting the president was tied up with the Epstein case and covering it up. Trump said Wednesday in the Oval Office he was discouraged by many of his supporters clinging to the case. 'I've lost a lot of faith in certain people, yeah, I've lost. Because they got duped by the Democrats,' he told reporters. On Wednesday, Trump also berated his followers on social media for their focus on the 'Epstein scam' he said was perpetrated by Democrats. 'Their new SCAM is what we will forever call the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax, and my PAST supporters have bought into this 'bullshit,' hook, line, and sinker. They haven't learned their lesson, and probably never will, even after being conned by the Lunatic Left for 8 long years,' he wrote. He criticized Republicans and his MAGA supporters for not focusing on his successes and distracting the public with the case. 'Let these weaklings continue forward and do the Democrats' work, don't even think about talking of our incredible and unprecedented success, because I don't want their support anymore!' he added. On Tuesday, Trump tried to dismiss the case as 'boring' and said he did not understand why the case was so important to his supporters. 'He's dead for a long time,' Trump said of the disgraced financier. 'He was never a big factor in terms of life. I don't understand why the Jeffrey Epstein case would be of interest to anybody.' The president spoke about the issue that threatens to further plague his presidency after a trip to Pennsylvania on Air Force One. 'It's pretty boring stuff. It's sordid, but it's boring, and I don't understand why it keeps going,' he said to reporters on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews. Epstein's associate Ghislane Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence in Florida after she was convicted in June 2022 for conspiring with her boss Epstein in the sexual exploitation of minors.
