Former Police Chief Alleges Trump Acknowledged Epstein Knowledge in 2006
Newly released documents from the US Department of Justice contain explosive claims from a former Florida police chief regarding Donald Trump's awareness of Jeffrey Epstein's criminal activities. Michael Reiter, who served as Palm Beach police chief until his retirement in 2009, has come forward to confirm he was the previously redacted source in the Epstein files, providing a detailed account that directly contradicts Trump's public statements.
Contradictory Accounts Emerge from FBI Interview
According to Reiter's October 2019 FBI interview, which was recently made public among three million Epstein-related documents, Trump telephoned him in July 2006 with surprising candor about the growing Epstein investigation. "Thank goodness you're stopping him, everyone has known he's been doing this," Trump allegedly told the police chief during their conversation.
This account stands in stark contrast to Trump's public position following Epstein's arrest in July 2019. When questioned about his knowledge of his former friend's abuse of teenage girls, Trump responded, "I had no idea." The discrepancy between these statements has raised significant questions about the former president's transparency regarding his relationship with the convicted sex offender.
Detailed Allegations from Law Enforcement Veteran
Reiter provided the Miami Herald with additional context about his conversation with Trump, confirming he was indeed the source referenced in the newly released documents. The former police chief described how local authorities had been actively interviewing numerous minor victims of Epstein throughout 2005 and 2006, with both the FBI and US attorney's office in South Florida conducting parallel investigations.
During his FBI interview, Reiter claimed Trump offered specific guidance about Epstein's associate Ghislaine Maxwell, describing her as Epstein's "operative" and advising investigators to "focus on her" because "she is evil." This characterization differs markedly from Trump's public comments about Maxwell following her July 2020 arrest, when he told reporters, "I wish her well, whatever it is."
Trump's Changing Narrative on Epstein Relationship
The former president has offered multiple explanations for his relationship with Epstein over the years. Trump has claimed he banned Epstein from his Mar-a-Lago club because the financier "stole" staff members, including Virginia Giuffre, who became one of Epstein's most prominent accusers. Giuffre has alleged that Epstein abused and trafficked her to powerful men, including Prince Andrew, who has denied all misconduct allegations.
Reiter's FBI interview summary includes another revealing claim: Trump told him he was "around Epstein once when teenagers were present" and that he "got the hell out of there." This admission, if accurate, suggests Trump had at least some awareness of Epstein's inappropriate associations with young people.
Political Implications and Document Release Controversy
Trump's relationship with Epstein has become a persistent political challenge for the former president. During his campaign, Trump promised to release the Epstein files, appealing to conspiracy-minded supporters on the right. However, he later appeared to waver on this commitment, drawing criticism from his base.
The eventual release of documents showing Trump's previously close relationship with Epstein prompted further controversy. While Trump ultimately signed the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which mandates the Department of Justice release all investigative documents, he has simultaneously dismissed the entire matter as a "hoax."
Investigation Outcome and Ongoing Questions
The original Epstein investigation concluded with what many have characterized as a "sweetheart" plea deal in 2008. This agreement allowed Epstein to avoid federal prosecution by pleading guilty to state-level prostitution charges, a resolution that has since been widely criticized as inadequate given the severity of the allegations.
The White House has deferred requests for comment on Reiter's allegations to the Department of Justice. The Guardian has approached both the Department of Justice and FBI for their responses to these new claims, which continue to raise questions about what powerful figures knew about Epstein's criminal enterprise and when they knew it.
