WASHINGTON – Former President Donald Trump on Tuesday urged Pam Bondi, his reported frontrunner for U.S. Attorney General, to publicly release "whatever she thinks is credible" regarding the late disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. The statement, reported by ABC News, puts a sharp focus on Bondi's record as Florida's Attorney General and sets a complex stage for her potential nomination process.

Speaking to reporters late Tuesday, Trump addressed the persistent questions surrounding Bondi's connection to the state's handling of the Epstein case. "Pam is a terrific person, a great prosecutor," Trump said. "On the Epstein matter, I'd tell her to release whatever she thinks is credible. Absolutely. Let people see."

The remarks place Bondi, who served as Florida's Attorney General from 2011 to 2019, in a challenging position. While the widely condemned 2008 non-prosecution agreement with Epstein was brokered by federal prosecutors before her tenure, her office faced subsequent criticism from victims' advocates for not launching a more aggressive state-level investigation into Epstein's extensive sex trafficking network.

A Complex History in Florida

Jeffrey Epstein’s case has long been a sensitive political issue in Florida. The original 2008 deal, which granted him and his co-conspirators immunity from federal prosecution in exchange for a guilty plea to state charges and a 13-month jail sentence, has been a source of enduring outrage.

During Bondi's time as Attorney General, her office received complaints related to Epstein. Critics have argued that her office could have done more to pursue state charges based on new evidence or testimony from additional victims. Supporters, however, maintain that her jurisdiction was limited by the prior federal agreement and that her office handled all complaints appropriately within the legal framework that existed.

Trump's statement forces this history back to the forefront, effectively tasking Bondi with adjudicating her own record before a formal nomination has even been made.

Political Calculations and Confirmation Stakes

The timing of Trump's comment is significant, coming as his transition team vets candidates for key cabinet positions. By publicly encouraging transparency, the former president may be attempting to preemptively neutralize a contentious issue that would undoubtedly surface during Senate confirmation hearings.

If nominated, Bondi would face intense questioning from both Democrats and Republicans about what she knew about Epstein's operations, when she knew it, and why her office did not take further action. Her response to Trump's public call for disclosure will be closely watched by lawmakers and the public alike.

A spokesperson for Bondi has not yet responded to requests for comment on Trump's statement. The move could be seen as a test of loyalty and competence, or as a strategic effort to control a damaging narrative before it can be used by political opponents.

The statement also reignites public interest in the Epstein case, which has implicated a wide array of powerful and well-connected individuals. Epstein died by suicide in a Manhattan jail cell in August 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. The release of any new documents or information from Florida's state files could have far-reaching consequences, potentially shedding new light on the scope of his criminal enterprise and those who may have facilitated it.

For now, the political world waits to see how Pam Bondi will respond, a decision that could ultimately determine her path to becoming the nation's chief law enforcement officer.