Yesterday, United States Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that deceased sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein did not maintain a client list. She also said that no more files related to the wealthy financier’s sex trafficking investigation would be made public. This was after Ms. Bondi, in February, eagerly told Fox News that the Epstein “client list” was sitting on her desk.
The Justice Department also stated yesterday that they had images and videos of Epstein and his victims who are or appear to be minors, and thousands of downloaded materials depicting illegal child abuse and other pornography, which will never be released. Does anyone smell a rat here?
Bondi’s Bold Epstein Promises, But No Disclosures
Also in February, far-right influencers were invited to the White House and given binders marked “The Epstein Files: Phase 1” and “Declassified,” containing documents already released to the public. After this failed release, Bondi said officials were reviewing a “truckload” of previously withheld evidence that had been handed over by the FBI, and hopes were raised regarding upcoming releases.
In March, Bondi had another opportunity to dispel the existence of the list when Fox host Mark Levin interviewed her about the release of the information. In response, she proclaimed that “several Democratic officials in New York City might be holding information about the list because they “don’t like the names on the list” and that they were “trying to protect a lot of names and individuals.” Weeks passed, and there was little to no information released by the Justice Department regarding the list as observers grew frustrated.
Justice Department Announcement and Backlash Mounts
After Bondi’s announcement, right-wing conspiracy theorists were up in arms about what they perceived as a continuing government cover-up. Steve Bannon attacked enforcement agencies, saying, “We have to take these apparatuses down.” Alex Jones shared this comment: “next, the DOJ will say ‘Actually, Jeffrey Epstein never even existed,’” calling it “over the top sickening.
And Tucker Carlson chimed in on his podcast. “This is a cover-up. The president promised to reveal the truth about this. Pam Bondi, as you said, went on television and said, ‘We have the truth, we’re going to give it to you. “I think this is a big deal.”
The Trump administration, as always, circled the wagons in defense of Bondi. In her Monday briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that.
“Bondi was referring to the entirety of all the paperwork in relation to Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes when she announced that the list was on her desk. That’s what the attorney general was referring to, and I’ll let her speak for that. Again, when it comes to the FBI and Department of Justice, they are more than committed to make sure bad people are put behind bars.”
And Trump snapped at a reporter today who asked Bondi about her refusal to release additional documents regarding the Epstein case. Trump bounced on the reporter.
“Are you still talking about Jeffrey Epstein? This guy’s been talked about for years. I can’t believe you’re asking a question on Epstein at a time like this, where we’re having some of the greatest success and also tragedy with what happened in Texas — it just seems like a desecration.”
The Heat is On
And the spotlight is not only on Bondi but also on FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino, who, as a commentator, raised doubts about Epstein’s suicide. But the Justice Department, in its statement yesterday, dispelled any rumors that Epstein was murdered in prison. And FBI Director Kash Patel emphatically stated that he would work to have the Epstein list released so that the American public can know the truth about the heinous acts.
A cynical person might surmise that the administration was caught with their pants down after reading the list of names in the file and deciding against its release to avoid any embarrassing disclosures. Of course, that is hearsay and just speculation at this point. Still, one has to wonder.
