In a recent briefing, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that President Donald Trump “would not recommend” appointing a special prosecutor to investigate the controversial case involving Jeffrey Epstein. This statement comes amid growing calls from some members of the GOP for a more thorough investigation into the high-profile sex offender's activities. Leavitt emphasized, “The president would not recommend a special prosecutor in the Epstein case. That’s how he feels,” while addressing reporters.
During a CNN interview at the White House, Trump seemed to sidestep questions regarding the potential appointment of a special counsel. When asked about the matter, he stated, “I have nothing to do with it.” The authority to appoint a special counsel typically lies with the Attorney General and the Department of Justice (DOJ), which traditionally maintains a degree of independence from the White House to prevent any appearance of political bias or impropriety.
Despite the customary independence of the DOJ, President Trump has shown a tendency to challenge this norm. He has previously directed investigations into political adversaries and has even claimed the title of the “chief law enforcement officer in our country” during a speech at the DOJ, a title typically reserved for the Attorney General. However, when it comes to the Epstein case, Trump has exhibited a more deferential stance towards Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Trump has consistently stated that Bondi can disclose any information she deems “credible” regarding the investigation into Epstein. When pressed about whether the president should order the release of all files related to Epstein, Leavitt stated that such decisions are “out of the president’s control.” She further refrained from disclosing whether Trump had been briefed by Bondi on any unreleased details, telling CNN’s Kristen Holmes, “Not to my knowledge, and that’s a question for the attorney general.”
Recently, the Department of Justice issued an unsigned memo indicating that there is no evidence supporting claims that Epstein maintained a “client list” or that he was murdered. This revelation has sparked backlash among many of Trump’s supporters, particularly after Bondi had earlier suggested that a client list was within her possession. Bondi later clarified that she was referring to other files related to the Epstein investigation rather than a specific client list.
This DOJ memo, along with attempts to quell speculation surrounding further incriminating evidence linking Epstein to prominent individuals, has not mitigated the fervent calls for transparency from Trump’s supporters. In a recent comment, Trump dismissed those fixated on the Epstein files as “weaklings” who have fallen for a “hoax.”
Far-right activist and Trump ally Laura Loomer recently urged the administration to appoint a special counsel to conduct an independent investigation into the handling of the Epstein files. She expressed doubts about Bondi's transparency and effectiveness in managing the issue. Similarly, Republican Representative Lauren Boebert echoed these sentiments, stating in an interview with conservative podcaster Benny Johnson, “I think moving forward, we need a special counsel. That has got to happen. There has to be a special investigation into this if we aren’t going to be provided information.”
In a separate interview with conservative commentator John Solomon, Trump linked the Epstein investigation to other law enforcement matters that he believes have been mishandled. He suggested that the FBI should broaden its investigations to include the Epstein case, saying, “I think they could look at all of it. It’s all the same scam. They could look at this Jeffrey Epstein hoax also, because that’s the same stuff.”
As the situation continues to unfold, the discourse around the Epstein case and the potential for a special prosecutor remains a divisive topic within the GOP and among Trump's supporters.
