The White House declined to comment on the timing of a statement that seems likely to once more focus attention on the Epstein case.

WASHINGTON—First lady Melania Trump denied having ties to late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and called on Congress to hold a public hearing for his victims in a surprise announcement at the White House on Thursday.

First lady Melania Trump blasted “lies linking me to the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein” in remarks from the White House Thursday, attempting to distance herself from the convicted sex offender while calling on Congress to hold hearings allowing his victims to testify on Capitol Hill.

The Justice Department announced that Bondi would not comply with the House subpoena after Donald Trump fired her from her post.

The Five’ co-hosts comment on Democrats raging at the Trump administration’s war maneuvers and messaging about Iran. A 75-year-old woman said she was attacked in front of her Brooklyn home after a group of dog walkers accused her of throwing cleaning chemicals on them.

She called rumours that Epstein introduced her to Donald Trump "mean-spirited attempts to defame my reputation".

Former U.S. Attorney General ​Pam Bondi does not plan to appear for a planned interview with a House of Representatives ‌committee on the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files following her firing by President Donald Trump,

On Thursday, Melania Trump tried to deny having any connections to Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes, but the internet quickly produced receipts. The first lady said in prepared remarks at the White House that the first time she met the sex criminal was in 2000 at an event she and Donald Trump had attended together,