BREAKING: Alex Acosta's Congressional Interview Transcript Released
Download PDF Below
Key Takeaways
Defending the 2008 Plea Deal with Jeffrey Epstein
Acosta repeatedly defended the decision to settle for a plea instead of going to federal trial, calling a trial a “crapshoot” due to evidentiary and victim cooperation issues.
He argued the deal still secured meaningful outcomes: Epstein served time, registered as a sex offender, and victims had a path to restitution.
He acknowledged that, in hindsight, the resolution left many feeling it was insufficient.
Victim Cooperation & Evidentiary Hurdles
Acosta said many victims were reluctant or inconsistent in testimony, increasing the risk of losing in court.
He emphasized that defense cross-examination would have been intense, making a prosecution in federal court risky.
Responsibility for the Work Release & leniencies
Acosta claimed his office objected when local authorities granted Epstein work-release privileges, asserting that the decision was in the hands of the state/local side.
He denied that Epstein got a “sweetheart deal” in the sense that his office overrode state decisions.
Role of Donald Trump & Other High-Profile Links
Acosta told lawmakers he never communicated with Donald Trump about Epstein while he was U.S. Attorney.
Republicans seized this as evidence Trump was uninvolved in the case.
However, Democrats insisted that while Trump might not have directly interacted with Acosta, questions remain about Trump’s broader association with Epstein and related documents.
Lack of Remorse & Political Fallout
Democrats criticized Acosta for showing no apparent remorse for the leniency and potential consequences of the deal.
The deal and Acosta’s later appointment (in the Trump administration) continue to generate political pressure and calls for further transparency.
Limitations of Knowledge & Uncertainty
Acosta said that if he had known then what is publicly known now, the case might have been handled differently.
He also testified that he doesn’t recall documents naming Trump in this matter.
Trump was Epstein's best friend and Acosta didnt think to interview him? That is a lie or it was done intentionally. I'm going with it's lie. Acosta lied to Congress
Having worked with attys for 18 years for the Commonwealth of MA, one thing I've learned is that when it comes to catastrophic, high profile cases, attys remember a lot more for many years after the case is closed. In my opinion, the Epstein case was well-beyond catastrophic...tell me I'm lying. Acosta lied and is G.A.F.