US President Donald Trump has instructed the Justice Department to provide additional documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender. In a social media post, Trump requested Attorney General Pam Bondi to produce all relevant grand jury testimony, as long as it is approved by the court. However, it is unclear whether Trump is authorizing the public release of these documents and when that may happen, as such action typically requires court approval.
This decision comes after persistent pressure from some of Trump’s loyal supporters who have been demanding further disclosures in the Epstein case. Shortly after, Bondi stated that her office is prepared to unseal the grand jury transcripts in court the following day. A grand jury is a group of citizens tasked with determining whether there is sufficient evidence to bring charges against an individual, essentially deciding whether probable cause exists to believe a crime has been committed.
It is unclear whether Trump’s request pertains to the original set of cases concerning Epstein in the early 2000s or if it relates to the federal charges brought against him in 2019. Some grand jury documents have already been released in the case against Epstein in Florida in 2006, in which he was charged with soliciting a prostitute. The case was heavily criticized due to the lack of serious charges and the severity of the testimony given by victims, including multiple minors.
During his campaign last year, Trump promised to release files related to the disgraced financier. However, Bondi recently announced that the US Justice Department did not believe Epstein had a so-called “client list” that could implicate high-profile associates. She also confirmed that Epstein took his own life in prison, contrary to various conspiracy theories surrounding his death.
Bondi’s initial statement promising major revelations, including names and flight logs, prompted anger from many of Trump’s supporters when she stated that the Justice Department did not have a list of Epstein’s associates or clients. Conservative commentator Charlie Kirk praised Trump’s decision, calling it a response to longstanding demands from the grassroots.
Epstein died in his prison cell in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking charges. More than a decade prior, he was convicted of soliciting prostitution from a minor and registered as a sex offender.
Trump also announced his intention to sue The Wall Street Journal newspaper for publishing an article alleging that a “bawdy” birthday greeting bearing his name was sent to Epstein in 2003, before Epstein was charged with sex crimes. Trump claims that the story is “fake” and has threatened legal action against the newspaper and its owner, Rupert Murdoch, calling the article “false, malicious, and defamatory.”
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9w1014rlq9o
