In a stunning turn of events, top officials in the Trump administration have voiced deep frustration over the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, highlighting internal discord and public backlash.
According to the Daily Caller, the controversy stems from a July 4, 2025, memo by the Department of Justice and FBI declaring no evidence of a "client list" or murder in Epstein's case, contradicting earlier statements and fueling anger among administration insiders and President Trump's supporters.
The saga began on Feb. 21, 2025, when Attorney General Pam Bondi appeared on Fox News’ “America Reports.” During the interview, host John Roberts pressed Bondi on the potential release of a list of Epstein’s clients. Bondi responded, suggesting she was actively reviewing such documents as part of President Trump’s directive.
“It is sitting on my desk right now to review,” Bondi said during the Feb. 21 interview. “That’s been a directive by President Trump, I’m reviewing that,” she continued. “I’m reviewing JFK files, MLK files. That’s all in the process of being reviewed because that was done at the directive of President Trump for all of these agencies,” Bondi added.
Just days later, on Feb. 27, 2025, the administration heightened public anticipation by releasing a white binder labeled “Epstein Files: Phase 1” to prominent conservative influencers. Personalities such as Chaya Raichik, Jack Posobiec, and Mike Cernovich were photographed leaving the White House with the documents. This move created significant hype, with many expecting further releases in potential “Phase 2” or “Phase 3” batches.
Internally, however, the binder release was quickly seen as a misstep by administration officials. Two sources told the Daily Caller that subsequent DOJ actions were aimed at mitigating the fallout from this early decision. The release shaped public perception, setting unrealistic expectations for the investigation’s outcome.
Less than two months before the final memo, FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino appeared on Fox News to defend findings that Epstein took his own life. This stance drew skepticism from some MAGA influencers, who began speculating about a possible cover-up. The public’s doubt only grew as the investigation progressed without clear answers.
On the night of July 4, 2025, Axios published a memo from the DOJ and FBI that stunned many. The memo stated there was no evidence of a “client list” or that Epstein was murdered, seemingly closing the case. This directly contradicted Bondi’s earlier comments, confusing within the administration and among Trump’s base.
A source familiar with the matter told the Daily Caller that very few people knew about the memo before its release. Senior officials expressed uncertainty about whether the Epstein case was truly concluded, as sealed documents remain tied to ongoing cases. Some within the administration felt the DOJ had overstated the evidence they held regarding Epstein’s alleged trafficking network.
On July 5, 2025, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt attempted to clarify Bondi’s earlier statements during a press briefing. Leavitt explained that Bondi was referring to a broader set of Epstein-related documents, not a specific list of clients. A source confirmed Bondi did have documents on her desk during the February interview, but was unaware of their exact contents at the time.
Following the July 4 memo, major MAGA social media personalities expressed outrage at the administration’s handling of the case. Some influencers who had promoted the “Phase 1” binder publicly called for Bondi’s resignation. The abrupt conclusion of the investigation left many of Trump’s supporters feeling betrayed and seeking accountability.
During a cabinet meeting on July 7, 2025, President Trump defended Bondi, who sat just two seats away from him. Trump also signaled a desire to shift focus away from the Epstein controversy during the same meeting. “Are you still talking about Jeffrey Epstein?” Trump asked a reporter present at the meeting. “This guy’s been talked about for years,” Trump continued. “We have Texas, we have this, we all of the things … And are people still talking about this guy? This creep?” he added. “It just seems like a desecration,” Trump said, expressing disbelief at the ongoing attention on Epstein amid other national issues.
Leavitt also defended Bondi’s broader efforts in a statement to the Daily Caller, emphasizing Trump’s support. “President Trump is proud of Attorney General Bondi’s efforts to execute his Make America Safe Again agenda, restore the integrity of the Department of Justice, and bring justice to victims of crime,” Leavitt said. “The continued fixation on sowing division in President Trump’s Cabinet is baseless and unfounded in reality,” she added.
Despite Trump’s wish to move on, an unnamed administration official stressed the public’s need for resolution. “You can arrest all the drug leaders and cartel leaders, but people want closure on this case, and the Attorney General must find a better way to reconcile that,” the official told the Daily Caller. The comment reflects ongoing tension within the administration over how to address lingering questions. The Epstein investigation has left a divide between the administration and some of Trump’s most vocal supporters. While senior officials grapple with the fallout, the public remains eager for transparency on the sealed documents. The mishandling of the case continues to cast a shadow over the administration’s efforts to focus on other priorities.