Summary
- Trump worries "innocent people" hurt by Epstein files.
- Encouraged DOJ to release more documents.
- Justice Department turning over records to Congress.
- Trump acknowledges the sensitive nature of files.
- Encouraged DOJ to release more documents to Congress.
Trump claimed that in spite of his reservations, he instructed Attorney General Pam Bondi to "give them everything you can give them."
"Innocent people shouldn’t be hurt but I’m in support of keeping it totally open, I couldn’t care less,"
Trump said during a White House event Aug. 22.
"You got a lot of people that could be mentioned in those files that don’t deserve to be… because he knew everybody in Palm Beach."
James Comer, the chair of the House Oversight Committee, stated that he anticipated receiving the first set of Epstein data from the DOJ on August 22 after the committee issued a subpoena for them on August 5.
Trump's MAGA base has been particularly critical of the administration's efforts to close the case against Epstein, a wealthy convicted sex offender who passed away in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex-trafficking charges.
Many Trump supporters have questioned the chief medical examiner's decision to declare Epstein's death a suicide and whether the government is hiding Epstein's possible clients from the public eye.
A "systematic review" of data "revealed no incriminating 'client list,'" according to a memo issued by the Justice Department on July 7. It also stated that
"no further disclosure would be appropriate or warranted."
In response to criticism, the Trump administration started to backtrack and ask for the release of grand jury records. Lawmakers have called for more thorough record disclosure.
Along with former top federal law enforcement officials like James Comey, Loretta Lynch, Eric Holder, Merrick Garland, Robert Mueller, William Barr, Jeff Sessions, and Alberto Gonzales, Republicans on the House Committee have also subpoenaed former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for depositions. This month is when those are supposed to start.
In remarks on Aug. 22, Trump noted that Clinton traveled on Epstein's aircraft and referred to Clinton and former Clinton Treasury Secretary Larry Summers. Summers, he said, was Epstein's "best friend."
Epstein and Trump had a long history together. According to media accounts, Bondi informed the president that his name appears in the Epstein files.
How will the DOJ determine who qualifies as an "innocent person" in the files?
The DOJ reviews all references in the files and cross-checks them against the evidence to assess whether there is any indication of wrongdoing or involvement in criminal activity. Those without credible links to illegal acts are considered potentially innocent.
The DOJ considers the context in which names appear—casual acquaintance or mention does not imply guilt. Innocent individuals may be referenced without any involvement in misconduct.
DOJ follows established procedures to avoid wrongful damage to individuals’ reputations, including notifying subjects or their legal counsel before public release where appropriate.