Trump Won't Recommend A Special Prosecutor In Epstein Case, White House Says
'The president would not recommend a special prosecutor in the Epstein case. That's how he feels,' Leavitt told reporters, as she confirmed that the idea had been floated to him by someone in the media.
(A special prosecutor is usually relied on in instances where the main prosecutor has a conflict of interest or other issue that would prevent them from being unbiased in a particular case.)
Epstein's death and his criminal trial, numerous investigations and lawsuits (collectively known as 'the Epstein files') have been the subject of debate for many right-wingers for years. Many have called for the files to be released — and some have — and for an additional investigation into Epstein and who was involved in his alleged sex trafficking.
Trump previously had a relationship with the late disgraced financier, who died in a jail cell in 2019 as he awaited a trial on sex trafficking charges. Last year, while on the campaign trail, Trump claimed at least twice that he would release the Epstein files, but he has since reversed course.
Billionaire Tesla CEO Elon Musk, whom Trump has had a rocky relationship with over the years, blasted Trump on his social media platform X over the Epstein files last month.
'Time to drop the really big bomb,' Musk said. '[Trump] is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public.'
Last week, the Justice Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation said in a memo that they did not find any evidence that Epstein had a so-called 'client list' he had been rumored to have used as blackmail. It also said they would not release any additional information in the future.
When prompted by a reporter at Thursday's press briefing, Leavitt rejected the idea that the White House could release the Epstein files with redactions protecting sensitive information.
'In terms of redactions or grand jury seals, those are questions for the Department of Justice. Those are also questions for the judges who have that information under a seal. And that would have to be requested and a judge would have to approve it. That's out of the president's control,' Leavitt said.
Trump has largely tried to move away from the publicity surrounding the Epstein case, calling it a 'hoax.' Still, he's drawn the ire of some of his supporters and many of his Republican colleagues who continue to call for more transparency about the Epstein files.
Fox News' Jacqui Heinrich asked Leavitt Thursday to 'clarify which part of the Epstein 'hoax' is the 'hoax'' that Trump has referred to.
'The president is referring to the fact that Democrats have now seized on this as if they ever wanted transparency when it comes to Jeffrey Epstein, which is an asinine suggestion for any Democrat to make,' Leavitt said. 'The Democrats had control of this building, the White House, for four years, and they didn't do a dang thing when it came to transparency in regards to Jeffrey Epstein and his heinous crimes.'
While authorities said in the memo that they 'did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties,' they also confirmed that Epstein harmed more than 1,000 victims and that DOJ officials reviewed included more than 10,000 'downloaded videos and images of illegal child sex abuse material and other pornography.' It also included 10 hours worth of video footage — with one minute missing — of Epstein's prison cell before his death to prove that he died by suicide.
Right-wing conspiracy theorists — including Trump, FBI Director Kash Patel and FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino — have argued that Epstein did not commit suicide, but was instead killed by powerful figures attempting to keep secrets hidden.
'One of our highest priorities is combatting child exploitation and bringing justice to victims,' the memo read. 'Perpetuating unfounded theories about Epstein serves neither of those ends.'
The memo directly clashed with Attorney General Pam Bondi's claim to Fox News in February that she obtained the list and planned to review it following 'a directive by President Trump.'
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