Trump orders AG Bondi to investigate Epstein's ties to "political figures and financial institutions"

On Nov. 14, 2025, Trump posted on Truth Social instructing Bondi, the DOJ, and the FBI to investigate Epstein's 'involvement and relationship' with BCBill Clinton, former Treasury Secretary LSLarry Summers, LinkedIn co-founder RHReid Hoffman, and JPMorgan Chase. The directive came two days after House Democrats released Epstein emails that mention Trump by name.

Trump explicitly framed the directive as retaliation, writing: 'Now that the Democrats are using the Epstein Hoax, involving Democrats, not Republicans, to try and deflect from their disastrous SHUTDOWN... I will be asking A.G. Pam Bondi.' He compared it to 'another Russia, Russia, Russia Scam.'

Bondi responded publicly within hours on X: 'Thank you, Mr. President. SDNY U.S. Attorney JCJay Clayton is one of the most capable and trusted prosecutors in the country, and I've asked him to take the lead.' Former federal prosecutor Joyce Vance identified three DOJ norm violations in that single post: presidents don't direct investigations, DOJ doesn't publicize them, and AGs don't assign cases via social media.

JCJay Clayton, the prosecutor assigned to lead the Epstein probe, had never served as a prosecutor before Trump appointed him as interim U.S. attorney for the Southern District of 🗽New York in April 2025. He previously served as SEC chairman during Trump's first term. He now leads the same office that prosecuted Epstein in 2019 and convicted Ghislaine Maxwell in 2021.

No credible evidence has surfaced that Clinton, Summers, or Hoffman participated in Epstein's sex trafficking. Clinton appeared on Epstein's flight logs at least 16 times between 2002 and 2003 for trips his office said were related to Clinton Foundation work.

Summers corresponded frequently with Epstein by email; so did Obama White House counsel Kathryn Ruemmler, who represented Epstein as an attorney. Corresponding with Epstein was not a crime.

JPMorgan Chase had already settled a civil lawsuit brought by Epstein victims for $290 million in 2023, acknowledging it had maintained a banking relationship with Epstein. A bank spokesperson said on Nov. 14 that the government 'had damaging information' about Epstein's crimes and 'failed to share it with JPMorganChase.' The bank said it ended its relationship with Epstein years before his 2019 arrest.

Hoffman — a Democratic megadonor who had campaigned loudly for Epstein file release — responded directly: 'The call for an investigation is an obvious ploy to avoid releasing the files. Simply release all the files, and expose the people who had both deep and ongoing relationships with Epstein. I refuse to bend the knee to Donald Trump and his slanderous lies.'

The Bondi-Trump Epstein investigation follows a clear pattern

Earlier in 2025, Trump publicly directed Bondi to investigate Letitia James and James Comey

Both were subsequently indicted The use of the DOJ against political enemies, followed by indictments, is now an established feature of the second Trump administration — not an anomaly.