Bondi Assigns SDNY’s Jay Clayton To Lead Review of Clinton, Summers And Others; File-Disclosure Battle Heats Up In Congress
Monday, November 17, 2025, 9:30 A.M. ET. 4 Minute Read, By Jennifer Hodges, Political Editor: Englebrook Independent News,
WASHINGTON, DC.- The U.S. Department of Justice on Friday initiated a formal probe into alleged ties between several prominent Democratic figures and the late financier and pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, following a public request from President Donald J. Trump. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that Jay Clayton, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, will oversee the review. The DOJ emphasized that the effort is a preliminary investigative assessment rather than a criminal investigation at this stage.
The action comes as House Democrats, joined by a handful of Republicans, continue pressing for the full release of the “Epstein files,” a broad set of records that could include flight manifests, visitor logs, communications, financial documents, deposition transcripts, and sealed investigative materials. Many Democrats hope the disclosures will tie President Trump to alleged misconduct involving Epstein. But Republican leaders warn that Democrats may inadvertently force the release of information they may not want exposed.
Bondi: “We Will Follow The Facts Wherever They Lead;”
In a statement posted Friday, Bondi confirmed the DOJ “will fulfill the President’s request consistent with established procedures,” and noted that the Department has already initiated “a formal review of available materials, including prior investigative files, financial records, flight logs, and sworn statements.”
Bondi stressed that assigning Clayton is rooted in SDNY’s longstanding jurisdiction over Epstein-related matters. “This is a probe, not a prejudgment,” Bondi said. “We will follow the facts wherever they lead. No one is above scrutiny. This does not imply criminal wrongdoing by any individual, and credible evidence must support any further action.”
Trump Celebrates DOJ Action, Calls For ‘Full Disclosure;’
Speaking to reporters Friday evening, President Trump said the DOJ’s move is “the first real step toward the truth.”
“For years we’ve heard about Jeffrey Epstein’s connections to powerful Democrats,” Trump said. “Maybe it’s nothing. Maybe it’s something. But the American people deserve to know. Bill Clinton, Larry Summers, they’ve denied everything. Fine. The investigation will show that. This is about transparency.”
Trump added that he had reviewed “newly surfaced information” he believed merited further examination but declined to provide details.
Congressional File Fight: Full Release Could Cut Both Ways;
Democrats on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee continue pushing legislation to require the full release of Epstein-related documents held by the DOJ, dubbed the Epstein Files Transparency Act. A small number of Republicans have joined the effort.
GOP members counter that Democrats may be opening a political trapdoor.
“Democrats think this will damage Trump,” a senior Republican aide said. “But they may find there are disclosures in these files they did not want to become public.”
Past disclosures show that some Epstein records contain references to Trump, including emails in which Epstein said Trump “has never once been mentioned,” implying Trump may have been aware of victims. Other documents, however, include references to Democratic figures that have drawn Republican scrutiny.
Why Didn’t Merrick Garland Release the Files?
A key political question resurfacing this week is why, under Attorney General Merrick Garland, the Biden DOJ did not release the Epstein file sets despite bipartisan pressure and multiple subpoenas.
Garland and former Attorney General Eric Holder both told Congress they had “no knowledge” of certain file collections housed within the DOJ. Critics argue the Biden administration slow-walked or resisted file disclosure, while others cite:
- Ongoing sealed matters.
- Protection of victims’ identities.
- National security considerations.
- Constraints involving grand-jury secrecy.
Under Garland, the DOJ produced only partial document dumps, most of which contained previously public material, leaving thousands of pages unreviewed or undisclosed.
A Sensitive Probe With Global Implications;
Epstein’s network has spanned political, financial, academic, and global circles for decades. Investigators have repeatedly cautioned that presence in flight logs or appearances at social functions do not equate to criminal conduct. Still, the combination of Trump’s request, Bondi’s probe, and congressional pressure has placed renewed focus on unresolved questions and past failures to release key records.
Bondi closed her statement by acknowledging the persistence of public pressure: “The American people have waited years for clarity,” she said. “Our obligation is to provide it based on facts, not speculation.”
Editor’s Note;
This article is based on confirmed reporting from Reuters, ABC News, The Guardian, Politico, Axios, The Washington Post, Associated Press, and NBC News; congressional statements released by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee; public posts and statements by President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi on Friday, November 14, 2025; and verified DOJ materials and public legislative filings including the Epstein Files Transparency Act. All information in this report is attributed to publicly available and professionally verified sources.
— Jennifer Hodges, Political Editor
