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Epstein scandal shakes Trump's political base, high-profile Republicans demand release of secret files
Donald Trump's efforts to downplay criticism of his administration's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case by calling the entire affair a "hoax" appear to be failing. On Thursday, prominent figures from across the political spectrum took to the stage to accuse the former president, while some of his supporters released videos of themselves burning "Make America Great Again" hats in protest.
A few days ago, even Mike Johnson, the Republican Speaker of the House of Representatives and one of Trump's most loyal allies, demanded the full release of documents on the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender and longtime friend of Trump.
But the outrage doesn't stop there. Former Vice President Mike Pence told CBS News that "it's time for the administration to make all records of the Epstein investigation and prosecution transparent." Laura Loomer, a conspiracy theorist and close Trump adviser, called for the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate the Epstein case. "It's absurd to call a case where Ghislaine Maxwell was sentenced to 20 years in prison for her crimes in collaboration with a proven sex offender like Epstein a 'fraud,'" she said.
Meanwhile, Theo Von, a popular podcast host who attended Trump's inauguration, posted a critical comment on the lack of transparency, asking, "What's changed?", in a video of Senator JD Vance once demanding the release of Epstein's full client list.
Pressure from within the Republican ranks
Other Republican senators are also demanding answers. Senator Josh Hawley questioned the Justice Department's version, stating: "It's hard to believe that the DOJ and the FBI don't know who Epstein's clients were." He demanded that Maxwell be called to testify publicly.
In a rare clash between Trump and his ally Johnson, the House Speaker on Tuesday demanded that the Justice Department release more documents and called on Attorney General Pam Bondi to “publicly explain the situation.” Bondi has come under fire after initially saying she had a list of Epstein clients but later denying it.
However, Republican lawmakers in the House of Representatives voted twice this week to block Democratic demands for the release within 30 days of the full files on Epstein, with only one Republican, Ralph Norman of South Carolina, voting in favor.
The dismissal of a prosecutor and the spiral of public discontent
The crisis deepened after news broke that Maureen Comey, a federal prosecutor and daughter of former FBI Director James Comey who had been pursuing the Epstein and Maxwell criminal cases, was fired. The Justice Department gave no reason for the decision, raising more questions about institutional integrity.
As control of his traditional electorate slips away, Trump has attacked "stupid Republicans," accusing them of playing into the Democrats' hands by demanding documents on Epstein. "I call this the 'Epstein scam.' They're wasting time on a case that's over, instead of talking about our achievements," Trump said from the Oval Office during a meeting with the crown prince of Bahrain.
But the data is against him. According to a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll, 69% of Americans believe the federal government is hiding information about Epstein's clients, while about 25% are unsure. Only a minority believe in the current transparency. /"The Guardian"
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