Jul 17, 2025 - Politics & Policy

Trump "would not recommend" a special prosecutor in Epstein case, Leavitt says

Rebecca Falconer

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks during a press briefing in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on July 17, 2025 in Washington, DC. — White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks during a press briefing at the White House on Thursday. Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

President Trump won't recommend a special prosecutor in the Jeffrey Epstein case, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Thursday.

Why it matters: The administration's conclusion that there's no evidence to suggest the disgraced financier was murdered or kept a "client list" sparked anger in the MAGA circles. Some, including Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) and far-right activist Laura Loomer, have suggested appointing a special counsel to the case.

What they're saying: "The president would not recommend a special prosecutor in the Epstein case," Leavitt said at a White House briefing Thursday. "That's how he feels."

Trump has made clear he wants everyone to move on from the case and this week took aim at who he called "PAST supporters" for their focus on what he called the "Jeffrey Epstein Hoax."
Go deeper: Trump makes it personal with MAGA over Epstein

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Trump "would not recommend" a special prosecutor in Epstein case, Leavitt says

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