WASHINGTON D.C. – In a move fraught with political implications, United States President Donald Trump on Friday, November 14, 2025, directed the Department of Justice (DOJ) to launch an investigation into the relationships between the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and several prominent Democratic figures. The directive, which targets individuals including former President Bill Clinton, has ignited a firestorm of controversy and created a public rift between Trump and one of his staunchest former allies, Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene.

US Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed on Friday that she has assigned Jay Clayton, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, to lead the new investigation. This decision follows a social media announcement by President Trump, in which he called for a probe into Epstein's ties with Clinton, former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, and LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman. Trump framed the issue as a “hoax” orchestrated by Democrats to deflect from other political issues.

The move represents a significant escalation in the political battle over the Epstein files and appears to contradict a July 2025 memo from the Justice Department and the FBI which stated that a review of the files found no evidence to warrant new investigations into uncharged third parties.

A Widening Political Divide

The President's directive has been met with sharp criticism, not least from within his own party. Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican from Georgia, publicly broke with Trump over his handling of the Epstein files. Greene is one of four House Republicans who joined Democrats in signing a discharge petition to force a vote on legislation that would compel the full release of the DOJ's Epstein investigation materials. She described the President's opposition to releasing the files as a "huge miscalculation" in an interview with CBS Mornings on Friday.

In response, President Trump publicly withdrew his endorsement of Greene in a social media post, accusing her of being a "ranting Lunatic" and stating he could not take her calls. Greene retorted on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, that she does not "worship or serve Donald Trump" and accused him of trying to "make an example" of her to intimidate other Republicans ahead of the vote.

New Investigation and Key Figures

The new investigation will be led by Jay Clayton, who previously served as the Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission during Trump's first administration. Attorney General Bondi praised Clayton as “one of the most capable and trusted prosecutors in the country.” The investigation's focus on Trump's political opponents has led to accusations of using the Justice Department for political ends.

In response to being named in Trump's call for an investigation, LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman challenged the President to “release all of the Epstein files: every person and every document in the files.” Hoffman stated that a complete release would bring justice to victims and show that the calls for an investigation into him are “nothing more than political persecution and slander.” A spokesperson for former President Clinton has stated that recently released emails “prove Bill Clinton did nothing and knew nothing.”

Pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell?

Adding another layer to the controversy, President Trump has repeatedly refused to rule out a presidential pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's former associate who was sentenced in 2022 to 20 years in federal prison for her role in the sex trafficking scheme. When asked about the possibility on multiple occasions, Trump has stated he would “have to take a look at it” and that he is “allowed” to issue a pardon.

Further Revelations from Epstein Documents

The political turmoil comes as newly released documents from Epstein's estate have brought forth other startling details. Transcripts of text messages appear to show that Epstein was in direct contact with a member of the U.S. House of Representatives during a 2019 congressional hearing with Michael Cohen, Trump's former lawyer. An analysis by The Washington Post suggests the lawmaker was Stacey Plaskett, the non-voting Democratic delegate for the U.S. Virgin Islands. The messages suggest Epstein may have been advising the lawmaker on their line of questioning.

While these events are centered in the United States, they carry global significance due to the U.S.'s role in international affairs. For Kenya and East Africa, the political instability and potential for a constitutional crisis in a major development and security partner warrant close observation. The focus on high-level corruption and the use of state institutions for political ends are themes that resonate globally, offering a case study in the challenges to democratic norms and the rule of law.