WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) in a rare break with the White House suggested Attorney General Pam Bondi should explain her statements about the Jeffrey Epstein case.
President Donald Trump says she should release any credible information the Department of Justice has about the case weeks after the department said it would not release any more information.
President Trump has described this as the story that won’t die.
Jeffrey Epstein, the wealthy, well-connected New York financier, was charged with sex trafficking and his 2019 suicide led to allegations of a coverup years after his death.
“I don’t understand what the interest or what the fascination is. I really don’t,” said Trump.
President Trump has battled back criticism about his administration’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case since last week when the Department of Justice said it didn’t find an Epstein client list or evidence that Epstein blackmailed prominent individuals.
The memo says, “no further disclosure” of information about the case “would be appropriate or warranted” but on Tuesday the president said, “Whatever she thinks is credible…she should release.”
At a fentanyl press conference on Tuesday Attorney General Pam Bondi wouldn’t answer questions about the case.
“Nothing about Epstein. I’m not going to talk about Epstein,” said Bondi.
She’s faced criticism from Democrats and some Republicans, including Republican Congressman Tim Burchett.
“I’d just like to see the files turned over,” said Burchett.
Speaker Mike Johnson told conservative commentator Benny Johnson Bondi needs to explain her statements about the Epstein case saying, “We should put everything out there and let the people decide.”
Democrats weighed in on the controversy.
“We need transparency and accountability, and we need it now,” said Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.).
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