U.S. President Donald Trump has requested the Department of Justice to investigate former President Bill Clinton and other prominent Democrats over alleged ties to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The move follows the release of thousands of emails linking Epstein to high-profile figures, including Trump himself.
Trump told reporters and posted on social media that he asked Attorney General Pam Bondi and the FBI to examine Epstein’s connections with Clinton, former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman, and banks including JPMorgan Chase.
“Epstein was a Democrat, and he is the Democrat’s problem, not the Republican’s problem!” Trump wrote, calling the recent scrutiny of his own ties a “Democratic hoax.”
Bondi confirmed that US Attorney Jay Clayton has been appointed to lead the investigation, pledging to pursue the matter “with urgency and integrity.”
Newly released emails spark controversy
The release of over 20,000 pages of emails by the House Oversight Committee has renewed interest in Epstein’s relationships with political and business figures. A Wall Street Journal review found Trump mentioned in more than 1,600 of the 2,324 email threads.
Some emails appear to suggest Trump’s awareness of Epstein’s sexual relationships. In one 2011 email, Epstein wrote to Ghislaine Maxwell: “I want you to realize that that dog that hasn’t barked is Trump… [Victim] spent hours at my house with him.”
Trump and his team have repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, stating he had no involvement in Epstein’s criminal activities and that their mentions in the emails were misinterpreted.
Democrats push for transparency
Democrats on the House Oversight Committee, including Robert Garcia, argued that Trump is deflecting attention from questions about his own relationship with Epstein.
Meanwhile, a discharge petition signed by Democrat Adelita Grijalva triggered a vote on whether the Justice Department should release all documents related to Epstein’s investigation. Four Republicans, including Marjorie Taylor Greene, joined Democrats in supporting the release.
Epstein survivors and Virginia Giuffre’s family urged lawmakers to approve the release, calling it a moral duty to protect potential victims.
Political implications and reactions
Trump framed the investigation request as targeting Democrats, suggesting they had deeper connections with Epstein than he did. He wrote, “Don’t waste your time with Trump. I have a Country to run!”
Clinton has denied knowledge of Epstein’s criminal activities. JPMorgan Chase also stated that it regrets any association with Epstein and emphasized it did not assist in his crimes.
This unprecedented request to the DOJ highlights tensions over presidential authority, bipartisan scrutiny, and accountability for high-profile figures linked to Epstein.
