Questions persist about how Jeffrey Epstein, who once moved among the world's elite, was able to avoid federal prosecution for so long. A timeline suggests some answers.

The investigation into Epstein's crimes began in Palm Beach, Florida, where he faced initial charges and entered a controversial plea deal. Trump, a former friend of Epstein, faces scrutiny due to past associations and a recent lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal over a lewd letter.

A Florida federal judge on Wednesday declined to release additional grand jury documents from the criminal investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, marking the first roadblock in the Justice Department’s efforts to quell the public backlash over the handling of the case.

Republican House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson said the Jeffrey Epstein scandal was "not a hoax" in an interview released on Thursday, as the case continued to stoke turmoil within President Donald Trump's party.

"I think true accountability, especially for people that have been victimized by the Epstein episode, requires full transparency," Grassley said.

The American people — and above all, the victims of Mr. Epstein’s crimes — deserve answers to outstanding questions about how he operated, with whose help and in whose service. With the exception of redactions required to protect the innocent and materials that must be withheld while under court seal, the complete F.B.I. files should be released.

The congressman has also asked the director of federal prisons to protect Epstein's associate until she can testify before Congress.