President Donald Trump has doubled down on claims that the Jeffrey Epstein files were created by Democratic leaders, stating that there is no reason to be interested in the files moving forward.
Trump’s claims come shortly after the Department of Justice and FBI released a joint memo claiming that there is no evidence to support the rumors about an Epstein “client list.”
The President previously claimed that “For years, it’s Epstein, over and over again. Why are we giving publicity to Files written by Obama, Crooked Hillary, Comey, Brennan, and the Losers and Criminals of the Biden Administration…,” as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
Now, Trump has seemingly doubled down on these claims, once again stating on July 15 that Democratic leaders created the files.
“And I would say that, you know, these files were made up by Comey. They were made up by Obama. They were made up by the Biden [administration]. And we went through years of that with the Russia, Russia, Russia hoax. With all of the different things that we had to go through. We’ve gone through years of it.”
Trump discussed the files again on the night of July 15, relating them to other “fake news” claims and stating that he does not understand the fascination with the case.
“I don’t understand why the Jeffrey Epstein case would be of interest to anybody. It’s pretty boring stuff…” Trump said. “I think really only pretty bad people, including fake news, want to keep something like that going. But, credible information, let them give it. Anything that’s credible, I would say ‘let them have it.’”
Despite claims by the President that the Epstein files are fake, Attorney General Pam Bondi previously claimed during an appearance on Fox News that the “client list” was waiting for review.
“It’s sitting on my desk right now to review. That’s been a directive by President Trump,” she said.
Bondi has clarified those statements, saying that she meant the files, not the client list, were on her desk.
These statements have seemingly created issues within the Trump administration and among Republican lawmakers, with many calling on Bondi to be more transparent about the claims being made about the files.
Notably, Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino is currently debating a resignation due to the handling of this issue, with the expectation that he will not remain with the bureau on any long-term basis, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson has also called for more transparency on the subject, noting that the files should be released to the public to demonstrate that there is nothing to be concerned about.
“It’s a very delicate subject, but you should put everything out there, let the people decide it,” Johnson said, per Politico.
Although many have blamed Trump for the lack of transparency, multiple political activists and commentators have presented alternative theories about the reasoning.
Alex Jones recently presented the theory that Trump could be using these files in an attempt to control the deep state.
“The question is, is Trump’s DOJ actually using this to control the deep state, or are they just so overwhelmed by it they are tapping out?” he asked, per Variety.
Additionally, Epstein’s former lawyer, Alan Dershowitz, claims that there is no specific “client list” related to the allegations, but rather judges who are preventing the release of important documents.
“So, many of the things that are being suppressed are being suppressed by two judges in Manhattan, and they’re doing it largely to protect the alleged accusers who are, in the view of the judges, victims, even though we don’t know what their actual status is,” he explained, according to The Hill.
There is no indication whether the release will actually take place, as House Republicans voted almost unanimously on July 15 against a measure to require the release of the files, according to Axios.