Trump directs AG to release Epstein case grand jury transcripts
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President Trump at the White House on Wednesday. Photo: Aaron Schwartz/CNP/Bloomberg via Getty Images
President Trump on Thursday directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to ask a court for the release of all relevant grand jury testimony in the case of disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The big picture: Trump has faced mounting pressure, including from MAGA circles, to take further action since his administration said a review found no evidence that convicted sex offender and disgraced financier Epstein kept a "client list" or that he was murdered.
Driving the news: "Based on the ridiculous amount of publicity given to Jeffrey Epstein, I have asked Attorney General Pam Bondi to produce any and all pertinent Grand Jury testimony, subject to Court approval. This SCAM, perpetuated by the Democrats, should end, right now!"
- Bondi said in response on X she's "ready to move the court tomorrow to unseal the grand jury transcripts."
State of play: The Trump administration's handling of the Epstein case has divided MAGA world, with FBI deputy director Dan Bongino taking a day off from work last Friday after clashing with Bondi, Axios' Marc Caputo first reported.
- In the face of criticism over her handling of the case, Bondi said Tuesday the DOJ and FBI memo on the findings "speaks for itself" as she dodged questions on the matter at a briefing.
- A day later, the president denounced those in MAGA world criticizing the inaction as "PAST supporters" and "weaklings" for not moving on from what he called the "Jeffrey Epstein Hoax."
- White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said earlier Wednesday that Trump "would not recommend" a special prosecutor in the Epstein case.
Meanwhile, House Republicans have twice blocked Democrats' attempts to force the release of the Epstein files.
Between the lines: Grand juries meet to discuss whether or not to indict a person who's been accused of a crime.
What we're watching: The Department of Justice will have to submit its case for releasing the grand jury files to a federal judge in New York, where Epstein was indicted.
- Representatives for the Justice Department did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment on Thursday evening.
Go deeper: Trump threatens to sue WSJ for story alleging racy letter to Epstein
Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.
