This browser does not support the Video element.
Jeffrey Epstein's alleged suicide note released
A note that may have been written by the late Jeffrey Epstein was unsealed by a federal judge. The note appears to read in part: "It is a treat to be able to choose one’s time to say goodbye."
Vice President JD Vance admitted this week that the Trump administration mishandled the release of Jeffrey Epstein’s case files.
Vance made the comments in a podcast interview with Joe Rogan.
What did Vance say about the Epstein files?
What they're saying:
Vance called out former Attorney General Pam Bondi, who once said there was an Epstein "client list" that was "sitting on my desk right now."
Bondi also gave conservative commentators and influencers binders that were called "The Epstein files: Phase 1″ and "Declassified."
RELATED: DOJ releases more Epstein files accusing Trump of sexual assault
"I know Pam. I like Pam. I don’t think there was anything malicious going on," Vance told Rogan. "I think Pam was trying to respond to the political moment. I think she overstated what we had and what we didn’t have."
FILE: Undated pictures provided by the US Department of Justice as part of the Jeffrey Epstein files. (Photo by Martin BUREAU / AFP via Getty Images)
"We absolutely screwed up the comms of the Epstein files. Like, we just did," Vance said. "But do I think the reason we screwed up the comms is because we were trying to hide something? No."
In addition to those comments, the Justice Department under Bondi had also offered
Epstein files saga
The backstory:
Epstein, a wealthy financier, was known for socializing with celebrities, politicians, billionaires and the academic elite, including President Donald Trump and former President Bill Clinton. Epstein was first accused of sexually abusing underage girls in 2005, but he made a secret deal with the U.S. attorney in Florida to avoid federal charges, enabling him to plead guilty in 2008 to a relatively minor state-level prostitution charge. He served 13 months in a jail work-release program.
In 2019, Manhattan federal prosecutors revived the case and charged Epstein with sex trafficking, alleging he sexually abused dozens of girls. He killed himself in jail a month after his arrest.
RELATED: Missing Epstein files: Trump sexual assault claims withheld, lawmakers say
Epstein’s longtime friend and former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell is serving a 20-year prison sentence for helping recruit some of his underage victims. The Trump administration has struggled to shake the saga because of the president’s close ties to Epstein. Conspiracy theorists and others have suspected government cover-ups and demanded more transparency.
Lawmakers eventually passed a measure that compelled the release of a massive trove of Epstein documents in the government’s possession. The Justice Department began releasing the documents in late December, which included photos, call logs, grand jury testimony and interview transcripts.
Todd Blanche defends DOJ’s handling of Epstein files
Dig deeper:
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, who’s being questioned by the Senate this week in confirmation hearings to become attorney general, acknowledged Wednesday that the Justice Department made redaction mistakes when reviewing and releasing the Epstein files.
This browser does not support the Video element.
Todd Blanche faces questions over Epstein Files
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche faces questions over Epstein Files and more during Wednesday's testimony. University of Southern California's Douglas Becker joins LiveNOW to break down the latest.
Blanche said he takes responsibility for the mistakes that were made, but also said department lawyers who reviewed the documents took pains to protect victims and quickly fixed any errors.
RELATED: Epstein victims to get $72.5 million from Bank of America
Blanche said the administration has been "extraordinarily transparent" in releasing the files, despite the department agreeing to release more records only after Congress passed a law forcing it to do so.
The Source: This article includes information from The Associated Press and previous FOX Local reporting.