Trump says Justice Department should end focus on Epstein case

This Monday (2), after the release of a vast set of files linked to the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, Donald Trump stated that the Department of Justice should redirect its efforts to other fronts and leave the case aside.

According to Trump, the size of the material released — more than three million pages — raises questions about the priority given by the agency to the financier accused of sexual abuse. For the president, the Department of Justice’s actions should not focus exclusively on analyzing these documents, since, in his assessment, there are other relevant institutional demands to be addressed.

The files were released the previous week and involved a collection of more than 300 gigabytes of data, including official documents, videos, photographs and audio records. The material is stored in the FBI’s electronic case management system, known as Sentinel, used by the agency to centralize large federal investigations.

According to authorities from the Department of Justice itself, the internal analysis of the content has already been completed. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that the process was conducted without interference from the White House and that there was no direct executive oversight over the release of the material.

The so-called “Epstein Files” bring together records from different stages of investigations conducted over the years, including reports initially produced by the FBI in Miami and, later, by the agency’s office in New York. The documents include internal memos, information on possible targets, requests for warrants and subpoenas, as well as hundreds of forms used by federal agents to record statements from witnesses, victims and suspects.

Jeffrey Epstein, a billionaire born in New York, built his fortune after working in the financial sector, having worked at institutions such as Bear Stearns before founding his own company. Aimed exclusively at high net worth clients, his business allowed him to accumulate properties in different countries and maintain relationships with influential figures in the international political, economic and social world. People cited over the years, such as Prince Andrew, Bill Clinton and Donald Trump, have always denied involvement in illegal activities associated with the financier.

The first accusations against Epstein emerged in 2005, when teenagers reported abuse at his Florida residence. Although he avoided broader federal prosecution at the time, he served time for state crimes and was registered as a sex offender. New allegations led to the reopening of the case years later, culminating in a federal indictment for sex trafficking in 2019.

Shortly after being arrested, Epstein was found dead in his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York. Authorities concluded that the death was a suicide, although the episode continues to be surrounded by questions and parallel investigations.