The White House on Monday defended the Justice Department’s finding that no list of associates tied to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein exists, after earlier assurances from Attorney General Pam Bondi that such files would be released. A department review concluded there is “no evidence of an Epstein list” and reaffirmed that Epstein’s 2019 death in federal custody was a suicide. The clarification has revived scrutiny of Vice President JD Vance, who during an October 2024 podcast said “we need to release the Epstein list,” calling the matter “important.” Vance’s comments resurfaced on social media after the Justice Department’s report, prompting questions about whether the administration had back-tracked on its earlier pledge. Pressed on the discrepancy, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Bondi had “misspoken” when she suggested a roster of names existed and that the department’s review is now closed. Neither the Justice Department nor the vice president’s office indicated plans for further investigation.