Amidst a whirlwind of controversy, Attorney General Pam Bondi is facing calls from conservative quarters to step down following her earlier assertion that she possessed the so-called "Epstein List.
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However, the White House has swiftly moved to clarify the statement, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt explaining that Bondi's words were not to be taken literally.
According to the Western Journal, Axios recently reported that a memorandum from the Department of Justice and the FBI revealed the absence of any incriminating "client list." This revelation comes after Bondi, in a February interview with Fox News host John Roberts, stated that the list of Jeffrey Epstein's clients was on her desk for review. "Its sitting right now on my desk to review," Bondi had said in response to Roberts' query about the potential release of the list by the DOJ.
Bondi further elaborated that her review of the Epstein files, along with those of JFK and MLK, was a directive from President Donald Trump. When probed by Roberts about any shocking discoveries, Bondi responded with a simple "Not yet."
The issue was reignited when Fox News White House correspondent Peter Doocy questioned Leavitt about the whereabouts of the Epstein client list that Bondi claimed to have. Leavitt responded by referring to Bondi's original interview on Fox News, explaining that the Attorney General was referring to all paperwork related to Epstein's crimes.
Leavitt's explanation seemed plausible, given that Bondi had also mentioned reviewing JFK and MLK files, suggesting that the Epstein list was part of a broader review.
Newsweek reported that Epstein, who had high-profile connections including those in government, died in his cell in 2019, weeks after being arrested on sex trafficking charges. This followed his 2008 conviction in Florida for soliciting prostitution and soliciting prostitution from a minor. His death sparked widespread speculation that he was silenced to prevent him from revealing damaging information about his influential acquaintances.
A 2023 DOJ report concluded that Epstein died by suicide while in the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. However, the report also highlighted "numerous and serious failures" at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York, where Epstein was held, including non-functional video surveillance cameras in his cell area, as reported by Newsweek.
The recent clarification by Leavitt has led to a surge of criticism against Bondi, with several conservative media personalities arguing that she should be dismissed for allegedly lying about the Epstein list.
Robby Starbuck, for instance, questioned the credibility of Bondi's statements, while Turning Point USA correspondent Savanah Hernandez called for Bondi's resignation for "lying to the American public." Liz Wheeler, speaking to Glenn Beck, suggested that Bondi had become a liability to the Trump administration.
The unfolding controversy underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in public office, particularly in matters involving high-profile criminal cases. As the debate continues, the American public awaits further clarification on the existence and status of the elusive Epstein list.
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