Senior Democrats are calling for Donald Trump to testify regarding his association with Jeffrey Epstein following the release of new details in the Epstein files. Recently disclosed FBI case documents reveal information related to a whistleblower’s assertions that both Epstein and Trump allegedly mistreated her in the early 1990s when she was just 13 years old.
While the accusations remain unverified, the newly unveiled memos from the early hours of Friday contain accounts of multiple interviews with the unnamed woman. According to the woman, she encountered Trump in either New York or New Jersey while in the presence of Epstein.
Allegations from the woman’s October 2019 interview include claims that Trump physically assaulted her, stating that he struck her and engaged in other violent behavior. Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari has called for Trump to be subpoenaed, a sentiment echoed by House Oversight Committee Democrats investigating Epstein’s offenses.
If the committee decides to summon Trump, it would mark the first instance of a sitting President testifying before Congress since 1974. Democrats point to the recent subpoena of Bill Clinton as a precedent for such actions. Additionally, the committee has voted to subpoena Pam Bondi, Trump’s attorney general, to address concerns regarding the Justice Department’s handling of the file release delay.
The Department attributed the delay in releasing the memos to a clerical error, rectifying it promptly upon public notification. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed the allegations against Trump as baseless, emphasizing the lack of credible evidence and the woman’s criminal history.
Trump has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, citing the FBI summary of interviews where the woman referenced his discomfort with her gender expression. Despite the controversy, Trump asserts that the Epstein Files exonerate him and has faced criticism for his handling of the documents’ release.
A recent YouGov poll showed a majority of Americans, including Democrats, Independents, and some Republicans, believe Trump may be attempting to conceal Epstein’s crimes.
