Former President Donald Trump has publicly urged the Justice Department to release the names of all individuals connected to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, asserting that the ongoing scrutiny constitutes a “witch hunt” and a “Democrat inspired hoax.” Trump made these demands via posts on his social media platform, Truth Social, on Friday, expressing frustration over the perceived diversion of Justice Department resources.
Trump’s statements come in the wake of the Justice Department’s announcement of the discovery of over a million additional pages of documents potentially linked to the Epstein case. He argued that this development is being used by Democrats to distract from Republican successes and to target him personally. The former president insisted that the Democratic party, not the Republican party, was associated with Epstein.
“When do they say NO MORE, and work on Election Fraud etc.,” Trump wrote, questioning the focus on the Epstein investigation. He further asserted, “The Dems are the ones who worked with Epstein, not the Republicans. Release all of their names, embarrass them, and get back to helping our Country!” His rhetoric frames the investigation as a politically motivated attack by the “Radical Left.”
This recent call follows a Christmas Day statement by Trump where he claimed to have severed ties with the late sex offender “long before it became fashionable.” He reiterated his characterization of the Epstein files controversy as a “Radical Left Witch Hunt” in a Truth Social post on Thursday evening.
The Justice Department confirmed on Wednesday that the newly found documents could require “a few more weeks” to review and release, citing the extensive nature of the redaction process necessary to protect victims. This follows a partial release of Epstein-related files in December, which Congress had mandated. Lawyers are reportedly working around the clock to complete the legally mandated redactions.
Critics have already voiced concerns regarding the initial partial release of documents, pointing out that they were heavily redacted. The ongoing process and the political rhetoric surrounding it highlight the sensitive and contentious nature of the Epstein investigation, with significant attention focused on the potential implications for various public figures.
The Justice Department has stated its commitment to releasing the documents as expeditiously as possible, emphasizing the legal requirements involved in protecting sensitive information. The discovery of a substantial volume of additional material suggests the investigation and subsequent document release will continue to be a protracted process.
