Vance Links Epstein to Intelligence Networks

United States President JD Vance stated on Wednesday that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein maintained connections to elements of the Israeli intelligence apparatus and the highest levels of American intelligence. Speaking during a podcast interview, Vance addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding the release of federal records related to Epstein, who died in a New York City jail in 2019 while awaiting sex trafficking charges.

Vance acknowledged that the current administration mishandled the communication strategy regarding the release of 3.5 million documents, known as the Epstein files, which were made public in January 2026. While the President asserted that no definitive documentation exists to confirm Epstein served as a formal intelligence asset, he noted that the financier operated within circles connected to both US and Israeli intelligence entities.

The administration has faced scrutiny following the April 2026 firing of former Attorney General Pam Bondi, who had previously claimed to possess a client list that was never produced. Vance defended Bondi against allegations of malicious intent, characterizing the failure to disclose specific files as a breakdown in administrative transparency rather than a deliberate cover-up. The Epstein files contain extensive correspondence between the financier and senior Israeli officials, though the Department of Justice has not confirmed any formal espionage ties.