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This past Friday, Pam Bondi designated interim US attorney Jay Clayton to oversee an investigation into opponents of Donald Trump and their links with the late financier. This move came hours after Trump directed her to initiate the investigation.

In a statement, the Attorney General praised Clayton as “one of the most capable and trusted prosecutors in the country”. She added, “The department will handle this matter promptly and thoroughly to provide clarity for citizens.”

This action appears to contradict a recent memorandum from justice department officials which indicated that documents related to Epstein lacked grounds for additional investigations. According to the document, investigators “found no proof justifying probes into uncharged individuals”

The President Demands Focus on Democrats in Epstein Case

This news coincides with increasing pressure from the president on congressional Republicans to oppose the public disclosure of Epstein-related documents before an upcoming House vote in the coming days. Several lawmakers are expected to support the disclosure.

Recently released communications from Epstein have highlighted the president’s previous connections with the sex trafficker, revealing details that he was more aware of Epstein’s actions than earlier acknowledged.

On Friday, the President declared he would ask the Department of Justice to investigate Epstein’s ties with Democrats, including Bill Clinton, Larry Summers and Reid Hoffman. Interestingly, he also referred to the “Epstein hoax” as a “scam”.

Other Updates from the Day

• Trump announced he would file a lawsuit against the BBC, despite a formal apology from the network. Trump claimed the lawsuit could seek between a billion and $5bn.
• Jeffrey Epstein reportedly guided Steve Bannon during a 2018 media campaign to defend Trump’s policies. Text messages made public detail his role in coaching the influencer.
• American forces are planning for a partitioned Gaza, with a secure area under international and Israeli control and a restricted section left in ruins.
• State officials have revived the sole ongoing legal case against Trump after appointing a new lead prosecutor.
• The President changed tariff policy by cutting taxes on imported goods like beef, tomatoes, coffee and bananas to combat inflation concerns.
• The two nations reached a trade agreement to reduce tariffs on Swiss goods from 39% to 15%.

Other notable events featured calls to safeguard public lands, objections of an antisemitism watchdog, and a judge’s decision for a resolution in the Purdue Pharma case.