Donald Trump has publicly defended Attorney General Pam Bondi amidst growing backlash from some of his supporters regarding the Justice Department's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files. The controversy stems from the DOJ's decision to withhold certain records from the Epstein sex trafficking investigation, which has angered influential figures and supporters within the far-right media landscape.
Trump addressed the issue in a lengthy post on Truth Social, stating that Bondi is doing a "fantastic job". He urged his supporters to unify and questioned why they were giving publicity to files written by figures like Obama, Hillary Clinton, Comey, and Brennan. He also dismissed focus on Epstein, stating "nobody cares about" him. Instead, Trump has encouraged Bondi and the FBI to focus on investigating voter fraud, political corruption, and the 2020 election, which he continues to falsely claim was stolen.
The DOJ and FBI are facing criticism after concluding their inquiry into Epstein's case without releasing new files, including a rumored client list. This decision has led to accusations of unmet expectations and fueled conspiracy theories. Some conservative figures and MAGA loyalists, such as Laura Loomer, have even called for Bondi's resignation, feeling lied to by the Attorney General. Podcast host Megan Kelly also criticized Bondi's handling of the Epstein files.
Bondi has clarified her earlier comments about the Epstein files, stating that when she mentioned the client list being "sitting on my desk to be reviewed," she was referring to the file itself, along with other files like the JFK and MLK files. The DOJ did release a 10-hour video meant to prove Epstein's suicide in jail. However, even this action was met with scrutiny due to a missing minute in the recording, further fueling conspiracy theories.
Adding to the turmoil, reports have surfaced of a dispute between Bondi and FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino regarding the handling of the Epstein records. Some reports indicate that Bongino considered resigning over the issue. Furthermore, a Justice Department whistleblower has accused DOJ leadership of planning to ignore court orders, adding more pressure on Bondi. Bondi has refuted these claims, calling the whistleblower a "leaker asserting false claims".
The controversy surrounding the Epstein files has created a rift within the MAGA movement, with some figures blaming the Obama and Biden administrations for creating the files in the first place. Trump has also echoed this sentiment, suggesting that the files were created by his enemies to undermine him.
Despite the backlash, Trump has stood by Bondi, urging his supporters to let her do her job. He has also downplayed the importance of the Epstein case, urging people to focus on other issues such as election integrity and the country's economic success.
