On Thursday, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) commented that the protests surrounding Jeffrey Epstein are partially a creation of President Trump.
“The Democrats didn’t initiate this,” Jeffries stated to reporters in the Capitol. “It’s Trump and his far-right allies who have brought this into public discourse over the years.”
He added, “Now they’re facing the consequences of their own actions.”
As part of his campaign, Trump has revealed government documents related to Epstein, who was a high-profile convicted pedophile and died in a Manhattan prison in 2019. Trump suggested that if he were to win, there might be further developments regarding Epstein’s alleged sex trafficking of minors.
Many of Trump’s supporters think these documents, which supposedly include “client lists,” could expose a network of individuals engaged in sex trafficking, allegedly protected by the government.
Additionally, some far-right commentators argue that Epstein didn’t die by suicide, as officially reported, but was murdered to keep him quiet—another theory that Trump has discussed.
However, last week, the Justice Department released unsigned notes that contradicted these claims. The notes stated that there’s no “client list” and that the department found no evidence of Epstein intimidating others related to any sex crimes. The cause of his death was confirmed to be suicide, dismissing theories of foul play.
This memo has angered many of Trump’s staunch supporters, especially since Trump has appointed Epstein conspiracy theorists to key positions, such as Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel, raising their hopes for a document release.
Vice President Vance contributed to this anticipation by stating it was “important” to release files come October, with Bondi fueling excitement earlier this year. Now, many are feeling let down.
This situation places Trump in a complicated spot. He is criticized by the very Maga movement he helped foster, which has thrived on a narrative of division.
On Wednesday, Trump publicly denounced some of his own supporters as “weak” and distanced himself from them.
“In just six months, I’ve achieved more than any president in history. These people are pushing agendas based on the Epstein hoaxes and fabrications by the desperate Democrats,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Let’s not let these vulnerable people hinder our significant accomplishments.”
Moreover, Trump has shifted the blame for the Epstein controversy away from the conservatives that fueled it, including himself, and directed it toward leading Democrats.
“They are the ones behind the Epstein files, just like they fabricated the Clinton/Steele dossier used against me.”
Despite the president’s messages, many conservatives remain unconvinced that the Epstein files should be confidential. At Capitol Hill, several lawmakers voted in favor of a spending reduction bill that passed on Thursday, which included another measure demanding the DOJ to release pertinent documents.
This resolution is largely symbolic since Congress has limited power to compel executive agencies. It’s unclear whether these messaging votes will resonate with conservatives who are pressing for the release of the Epstein files.
Jeffries emphasized that transparency is crucial for maintaining public trust in Washington.
“The most important thing now is for Congress to act together, in a bipartisan manner, to secure the transparency Americans deserve,” he mentioned. “What exactly is the Trump administration keeping from the public?”
“That’s a question that deserves an answer.”
