Washington, Feb 11 (NationPress) The White House has responded firmly to renewed inquiries regarding President Donald Trump’s historical connections to Jeffrey Epstein, expressing full support for Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that Trump has consistently distanced himself from Epstein.

“The president has maintained that he expelled Jeffrey Epstein from his Mar-a-Lago club due to Epstein's unsavory behavior,” she stated.

Leavitt further explained that Trump “severed ties with Epstein and has been forthright about it for many years.”

In light of newly surfaced documents mentioning a discussion between Trump and the Palm Beach police chief in the early 2000s, Leavitt said, “It was a phone call that may or may not have occurred in 2006. I'm not sure about that. What I can confirm is that President Trump has always maintained that he removed Epstein from his Mar-a-Lago club because of Epstein's misconduct, and that fact remains unchanged.”

She also highlighted the release of numerous documents related to the case.

“The disclosure of over 3 million files concerning Jeffrey Epstein and his abhorrent crimes illustrates the commitment to transparency that this president and administration have upheld by making these records available,” she commented.

When asked if Trump would consider a pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell, Leavitt stated that it was not being contemplated.

“The last time we discussed it, he indicated it was not something on his agenda,” she said.

Leavitt was also queried about Howard Lutnick after his testimony on Capitol Hill, where he acknowledged past interactions with Epstein.

“No. Secretary Lutnick is a crucial member of President Trump's team, and the president fully endorses the secretary,” she affirmed.

Leavitt then pivoted to discuss what she characterized as the administration’s broader successes.

“Once again, the Dow has surpassed 50,000 for the very first time,” she noted. She also mentioned a federal appeals court ruling that upheld the administration’s migrant detention policy, stating, “For an unprecedented ninth consecutive month, there were zero illegal border crossings at the southern border.”

Epstein, a financier, was charged with sex trafficking and died in federal custody in 2019. Maxwell was later convicted on federal charges related to sex trafficking. The case continues to attract political scrutiny due to the notable individuals associated with Epstein.

The administration contends that the document release signifies a commitment to transparency, while critics continue to seek clarity regarding past associations and decisions involving individuals mentioned in the files.