(AFP) – Democrats on Thursday accused US President Donald Trump and his officials of a “massive cover-up” in the handling of files tied to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, vowing an aggressive investigation and warning the administration not to destroy evidence.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer accused the US Department of Justice (DOJ), led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, of unlawfully withholding documents that could implicate or embarrass Trump, and pledged accountability for those responsible. “Let me be blunt, there is a massive cover up going on in the Justice Department to protect Donald Trump and people associated with Jeffrey Epstein,” Schumer told reporters.
“As we expected, Trump, Bondi and their minions have played games with the release of these files, released some documents they wanted to release and continue to hide others… President Trump — what are you trying to hide?” Epstein, who died in federal custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges involving minors, had extensive ties to political and business elites. His case has remained politically charged, with continuing disputes over the release of investigative records and the extent of his network.
The latest clash follows media reports that some FBI interview summaries related to a woman’s sexual assault allegations against Trump, dating to the 1980s when she was a minor, were not included in recently released government files. Trump has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing connected to the Epstein scandal.
Schumer said his party would review unredacted records and work with legal experts, victims’ attorneys, and whistleblowers to determine how the Justice Department flouted a transparency law requiring disclosure of Epstein-related materials. “We know the administration is withholding some documents unlawfully… Pam Bondi should listen carefully. The truth will come out — the whole ugly, ugly truth about what she’s doing to protect people in the files will come out,” Schumer added.
“The whole world is going to know exactly what she knew, when she knew it, and what she did to cover it up. Democrats are going to hold Pam Bondi and everyone involved at the DOJ accountable for this cover up.”
The veteran Democrat warned federal officials against tampering with evidence and demanded that the Department of Justice and FBI preserve Epstein investigation records, warning: “We will know if you are destroying documents.” Democrats say they are concerned that extensive redactions have concealed the identities of alleged associates while exposing victims, raising questions about whether the government is shielding influential figures.
The Justice Department has denied improper conduct, saying that withheld material falls within legal exemptions such as privileged communications, duplicate records, or ongoing investigations. Democrats argue that the missing interview records do not fit the categories cited by the department.
© 2024 AFP
