• Former President Donald Trump calls for federal investigation into JPMorgan Chase's long-standing relationship with Jeffrey Epstein
  • Internal documents reveal bank processed over $1 billion for Epstein across 15 years despite compliance flags
  • Congressional pressure mounts as Senator Wyden demands criminal probe over delayed suspicious activity reports

Former President Donald Trump is pushing for a federal investigation into JPMorgan Chase's extensive banking relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to people familiar with the matter. The call comes amid revelations that the nation's largest bank processed more than $1 billion for Epstein over a 15-year period, continuing their relationship even after his initial sex crime conviction.

Internal bank records show high-level executives, including former investment banking head Jes Staley, repeatedly resisted compliance officers' efforts to sever ties with Epstein. The bank only terminated the relationship in 2013—seven years after Epstein's initial arrest—following mounting internal pressure about suspicious transactions potentially linked to sex trafficking activities.

Senator Ron Wyden has separately called for a federal criminal investigation after discovering JPMorgan waited six years to file suspicious activity reports with regulators. The delay from Epstein's 2013 account termination until his 2019 arrest appears to violate federal anti-money laundering requirements, according to congressional sources briefed on the matter.

"The pattern of delayed reporting and executive override of compliance concerns raises serious questions about the bank's internal controls," said a staffer familiar with the Senate inquiry. House Democrats are simultaneously pressing the Justice Department for details about Epstein's network of co-conspirators, making the issue increasingly politically charged.

JPMorgan's stock traded at $310.18, up 0.28%, showing minimal immediate market impact from the developing controversy. The bank declined to comment on specific allegations but reiterated its commitment to robust compliance procedures in a statement.

The Epstein relationship spanned from the late 1990s through 2013, with internal documents indicating large cash withdrawals and payments to individuals later identified as victims. Compliance officers repeatedly flagged these transactions, but executives including Staley—who later resigned as Barclays CEO over Epstein-related probes—reportedly overrode those concerns.

Legal experts suggest the bank could face significant regulatory penalties if investigations confirm systematic failures in anti-money laundering protocols. "This isn't just about one bad client—it's about whether the bank's compliance culture properly balanced revenue against risk," noted a former federal prosecutor familiar with financial crimes cases.

House committees continue battling over releasing the full "Epstein files," with contentious debate expected in coming weeks. The outcome could have broader implications for how financial institutions manage high-risk clients and enforce due diligence requirements across the banking sector.

Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated the timeline of Epstein's banking relationship. The relationship ended in 2013, not 2014.