Trump lashes out at Republicans over Epstein backlash as DOJ fires Epstein prosecutor Maurene Comey

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday launched a scathing rebuke against members of his own Republican Party, criticising them for questioning his administration’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case.

Simultaneously, controversy erupted following reports that the US Department of Justice had dismissed Maurene Comey, the lead federal prosecutor in the Ghislaine Maxwell case and daughter of former FBI director James Comey.

Speaking from the Oval Office and later on Truth Social, Trump accused certain Republicans of “falling for a hoax” perpetrated by Democrats.

“Let these weaklings continue forward and do the Democrats’ work,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “I don’t want their support anymore.”

Epstein, a wealthy financier and convicted sex offender, was facing federal charges of sex-trafficking minors when he died by suicide in jail in 2019. The charges were dismissed posthumously.

Comey, who was an Assistant US Attorney in Manhattan, successfully prosecuted Epstein’s associate, British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell. Maxwell was convicted in 2021 and sentenced in 2022 to 20 years in prison for aiding Epstein in the sexual abuse of minors.

According to two unnamed sources cited by multiple US media outlets, Comey was dismissed from the Department of Justice without an official explanation. The timing of her firing has drawn scrutiny due to her involvement in politically sensitive cases.

Trump’s comments this week appear to reflect growing unease within his political base, following his administration’s abrupt reversal on a pledge to release documents related to Epstein’s alleged clientele.

Last week, the Justice Department concluded its internal review, stating there was “no incriminating client list” and no evidence of blackmail involving high-profile individuals.

The report reiterated the FBI’s previous finding that Epstein’s death in a Manhattan jail was a suicide and not the result of foul play.

These conclusions contradict earlier claims by Trump administration figures such as Kash Patel and Dan Bongino, who suggested there were hidden documents implicating powerful individuals.

In February, US Attorney General Pam Bondi added to speculation after suggesting certain files were “worth reviewing,” though she later clarified that her comment was not meant to imply the existence of a conspiracy.

Speaking on Wednesday, Trump reiterated that Bondi was authorised to release any “credible” documents from the case.

“If a document’s there that’s credible, she can release,” Trump told reporters. “I think it’s good.”

Despite the administration’s efforts to downplay the matter, dissatisfaction remains among Trump’s supporters and political allies.

Mike Flynn, a former US national security adviser and strong Trump backer, posted on X that he did not believe the Epstein issue was a “hoax”.

He called on Trump to “gather your team and figure out a way to move past this”.

Meanwhile, in Congress, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson has called on the Department of Justice to release more Epstein-related files.

Yet efforts by Democratic lawmakers to force broader disclosure have been blocked by Republican legislators.

These events have amplified speculation among conservative commentators and right-wing media outlets, who continue to claim that critical information is being withheld from the public.

The firing of Maurene Comey has added fuel to the fire, with critics alleging that the DOJ is targeting prosecutors who previously worked on investigations involving Trump or his associates.

No official comment has been made by the Department of Justice or the White House regarding Comey’s dismissal.

Observers note that her removal is the latest in a series of high-profile departures from federal legal teams involved in politically sensitive prosecutions.

The developments have laid bare growing tensions inside Trump’s political base, with some factions pushing for greater transparency and others rallying around Trump’s narrative that the Epstein case is a Democratic-led diversion.

While speculation continues, the Department of Justice maintains that its review has concluded, with no evidence supporting widespread allegations of a cover-up or foul play in Epstein’s death.