US DOJ Under Bipartisan Fire Amidst Unprecedented Global Political Scandal

2005: Donald & Melania Trump’s Wedding Day

The U.S. Department of Justice is now facing calls from Republican Senators to release Epstein files with President Donald Trump’s name in them. The move comes a day after House Democrats called for the appointment of a special counsel to investigate Attorney General Pam Bondi for allegedly committing perjury during her February 11 testimony before the House Judiciary Committee when she said, “there is no evidence that Donald Trump has committed a crime.”

“Release the documents,” said Sen. John Kennedy (R-La), a member of the Judiciary Committee. “Redact the names of the victims. Don’t release photographs, naked or otherwise, of minors. Release the documents. This is not going to go away until there is full disclosure and the American people want to know, and they’re entitled to know, who if anyone, did Epstein traffic these women to … and why they weren’t prosecuted.”

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) all called for a full release of the files. Grassley said he has not yet made a decision on whether he will hold a hearing on the Justice Department’s compliance with the law.

The Epstein Files span at least five U.S. presidential administrations, and Democrats are finally calling for accountability. House Oversight Committee member Yassamin Ansari (D-Az) and Congressman Shri Thanedar (D-MI) have said they would introduce articles of impeachment against Attorney General Pam Bondi for engaging in an Epstein files coverup and weaponizing the DoJ to go after Trump’s political opponents, among other charges.

Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), ranking member of the House Oversight Committee, said Tuesday that former Attorney General Merrick Garland, who served under President Biden, should testify to Congress about the files.

“Why the Department of Justice under Merrick Garland, or others, weren’t forthcoming in what was actually in these files, I think is an important question that has to be answered,” said Garcia on CNN’s The Situation Room. “I’ve talked to [House Oversight Committee] Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.), I think it’s important that we hear from Merrick Garland, and others, and former directors of the FBI and former attorneys general. That is an important part of this investigation.”

Hillary Clinton with Donald Trump and his sons Donald (left) and Eric during her years as First Lady. Credit: SARAH MERIANS

Epstein was first investigated for molesting an underage girl in March of 2005 by Palm Beach police. The FBI began their investigation in July of 2006. Alberto Gonzales was Attorney General at the time, under George W. Bush. Michael Mukasey subsequently served under Bush. Eric Holder then served under President Barack Obama, followed by Loretta Lynch. Jeff Sessions served as Trump’s first AG during his first term, followed by William Barr.

The FBI has also been aware of Epstein’s vast network of money laundering, political espionage and sex trafficking since 2006. Robert Mueller was FBI Director in 2006, having served since 2001 through Bush and Obama’s administrations. James Comey served both Obama and Trump, but was fired by Trump for his role in the Hillary Clinton email investigation. He was followed by Andrew McCabe, who was Acting Director for three months until he was also fired.

“The big picture is a tale of what can happen when law enforcement is politicized, public servants are attacked, and people who are supposed to cherish and protect our institutions become instruments for damaging those institutions and people,” McCabe said after he was fired in 2018.

He was replaced by Christopher Wray, who served both Trump and Biden until Kash Patel was appointed by Trump.