President Donald Trump said Attorney General Pam Bondi should release “whatever she thinks is credible” regarding the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. His remarks, made on Tuesday, July 15, while speaking to reporters, came as Bondi faces growing criticism from Republican lawmakers and Trump supporters over her handling of the case.
Trump also said he received a “very quick briefing” on the Department of Justice and FBI memo released last week, which found no incriminating client list and no credible evidence that Epstein blackmailed influential people. The memo confirmed that officials ruled Epstein’s 2019 death a suicide and found no basis to charge any uncharged third parties.
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Why are MAGA supporters upset?
Tension within the MAGA base grew after Bondi’s department said there was no evidence of a client list, appearing to contradict Bondi’s earlier February statement that a list was “sitting on [her] desk.”
Trump attempted to reassure supporters, defending Bondi’s performance and repeating that credible files should be released. He also said the Epstein case was “sordid but boring,” questioning continued public interest.
Trump’s daughter-in-law Lara Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., and Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., have all called for more transparency.
How are Democrats responding to the controversy?
Democrats are highlighting Republican divisions as they call for the full disclosure of the Epstein files.
Party leaders like Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif., and Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., have accused Trump and Bondi of withholding key information. The Democratic National Committee launched an automated social media campaign that posts daily updates about the unreleased files, and Democrats attempted to force a vote on the matter in the House.
According to Politico, polling from Blue Rose Research showed 70% of voters believe law enforcement is hiding information about Epstein’s associates, including 61% of Trump voters. Internal memos suggest Democrats see the controversy as a way to highlight broken campaign promises and undermine Trump’s credibility on government transparency.
Will this remain a political flashpoint?
While the issue continues to attract attention online and from lawmakers, some strategists on both sides expect it to fade. Republican officials, including Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, have deferred to Trump’s judgment. Others, such as Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk, say they trust the administration and are moving on.
Still, Bondi remains under scrutiny, especially following her response that the DOJ memo “speaks for itself” and her refusal to comment further on Epstein.
