Trump Won’t Recommend a Special Prosecutor in Epstein Case, Leavitt Says
In a tense moment during the July 17 White House press briefing, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed President Trump’s firm stance: he will not recommend appointing a special prosecutor to probe Jeffrey Epstein-related documents, despite sustained pressure from his own conservative base and calls for further transparency Wikipedia+15The Guardian+15CBS News+15.
White House Signals End of the Line
During the briefing, Leavitt reiterated, “The president would not recommend a special prosecutor in the Epstein case. That’s how he feels,” emphasizing that decisions about sealed grand-jury materials lie with the Department of Justice and the courts—not the White House AP News+6The Guardian+6Axios+6.
Trump’s move comes after a detailed DOJ and FBI memo declared there is no “client list”, no signs of foul play surrounding Epstein’s 2019 death, and no credible evidence to justify further investigation AP News+7The Wall Street Journal+7ABC News+7. While the president had earlier labeled the issue a “hoax” and criticized critics as “weaklings,” Leavitt suggested that Trump supports transparency—”if the attorney general and DOJ come across any credible evidence”—but will not back a formal special-counsel appointment YouTube+5TIME+5CBS News+5.
Pressure from MAGA Allies
Trump’s MAGA supporters—including former adviser Steve Bannon, Rep. Lauren Boebert, and activists like Laura Loomer—had strongly advocated for appointing a special prosecutor to independently investigate the Epstein case CBS News+4The Daily Beast+4Axios+4. This group expressed skepticism and demanded full disclosure of sealed evidence, suggesting a deep-seated belief that greater revelations remain hidden.
But Trump dismissed their calls. Leavitt called Democratic activists pushing for more transparency “asinine,” insisting they were simply trying to politicize the matter. According to her, during the Biden administration, “they didn’t do a dang thing” when they controlled the levers of power TIMEAP News+6The Guardian+6YouTube+6.
What’s at Stake: DOJ Findings and Public Trust
At issue are two primary documents: a DOJ/FBI memo confirming Epstein’s death was ruled a suicide, without evidence of a “client list” or blackmail network involved The Daily Beast+6The Wall Street Journal+6CBS News+6, and a separate report clearing the deck of wrongdoing. The result angered many conservative voices, who claimed the documents shield powerful figures associated with Epstein.
Senator Ron Wyden went further, citing Treasury Department wire transactions—about 4,700 transfers worth $1.1 billion linked to Epstein’s network—as evidence warranting deeper scrutiny CBS News+2AP News+2ABC News+2The Daily Beast.
However, a daily wall of opposition rose against the notion of a special counsel. DOJ insiders, including Attorney General Pam Bondi, noted that “a special counsel is only justified when there’s active criminal investigation and evidence of conflict,” neither of which is present here . And Trump said he trusted the DOJ and courts to handle any credible revelations.
Bondi’s Role and Next Moves
Despite this, AG Bondi did announce intentions to petition the court to unseal grand-jury testimony, though she acknowledged that judges must approve such requests—an example of the administration’s attempt at partial transparency .
Leavitt stressed that any further release of material—particularly grand-jury transcripts—requires judicial authorization and is outside presidential jurisdiction .
Backlash and Political Fallout
The decision fueled ferocious backlash within MAGA ranks. Charlie Kirk, distraught lawmakers, and conservative influencers lambasted Trump for failing to follow through on pledges for transparency . Rep. Boebert criticized Pam Bondi directly for relinquishing documents she once claimed to want released .
Yet Trump pivoted—accusing Democrats of turning Epstein into “the biggest story that the American people care about,” and likening the controversy to a “hoax” perpetrated to distract from his policy achievements .
Conclusion: A Calculated Retreat
By rejecting the call for a special prosecutor, Trump has effectively drawn a line in the sand. The DOJ-backed memo offers a legal closure that he seems content to support, while pausing major further releases. Still, Bondi’s effort to unseal grand-jury testimony signals the administration may offer partial transparency by court order—just not via special counsel.
This strategic pivot aims to placate moderate critics while rebuffing fringe calls for a full-scale investigation. But given the furious criticism from influential MAGA voices and ongoing judicial involvement, the Epstein file saga appears far from resolved.
