Boebert on call for Epstein special counsel: ‘People are frustrated’
Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), a fierce ally of President Trump’s, stressed the need for a special counsel to investigate the administration’s handling of files related to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, saying the American people are “frustrated” and want answers.
Boebert, one of the first people to call for an independent probe, said it’s important to devote the necessary time and resources to the investigation without losing sight of the president’s victories.
“People are frustrated. We want to know if there’s more information,” Boebert said in an interview Wednesday on NewsNation’s “On Balance.”
“I don’t know exactly what [Attorney General] Pam Bondi has seen or what she hasn’t seen,” she continued. “I’ve seen just as much that has been released from her as you have. And so I’m saying maybe someone else needs to take a look at this.”
“But also, we can walk and chew gum at the same time,” the Colorado Republican told host Leland Vittert. “We can also celebrate our secure border. We can celebrate that we are putting America first, that we are putting American energy dominance ahead as a priority.”
Boebert warned against letting the Epstein files distract from what she views as more important priorities coming from the White House.
“People want information on this. This is a big deal. And like you mentioned, President Trump, this wasn’t the main thing that he ran on,” Boebert said. “I would much rather have a secure border than a list from a dead pedophile at this time.”
“Do I think this is something that should be ignored? Absolutely not,” she added.
A number of prominent Republicans have also called for greater transparency since the Justice Department and FBI released a joint memo last week concluding Epstein died by suicide — refuting theories of foul play involved — and that the convicted sex offender did not keep a “client list” to blackmail high-profile individuals implicated in his alleged crimes.
Trump’s backers, including some now serving in his administration, have for years espoused conspiracy theories around Epstein’s death and suggested the government was covering up information that connected prominent Democrats to the case.
Trump has resisted calls for more information and, in recent days, has appeared exasperated by the fascination with Epstein. The president said Attorney General Pam Bondi can release “credible” evidence related to the case but has otherwise questioned why some of his followers are fixated on the issue.
Trump, during an Oval Office meeting with the crown prince of Bahrain on Wednesday, repeated his claim that the documents connected to Epstein were a “hoax” started by Democrats. Epstein was arrested on sex trafficking charges and died by suicide in 2019, during Trump’s first term.
“Some stupid Republicans and foolish Republicans fall into the net, and so they try and do the Democrats’ work,” the president said.