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On Friday, the Attorney General assigned interim US attorney Jay Clayton to lead an probe into opponents of the President and their links with Jeffrey Epstein. This move came just after the president instructed her to begin the investigation.

In a statement, the Attorney General highlighted Clayton as “among the nation’s top prosecutors”. She added, “As with all matters, the department will pursue this with urgency and integrity to deliver answers to the American people.”

This development seems to diverge from a recent memorandum from federal authorities which indicated that documents related to Epstein did not warrant further inquiries. As per the document, investigators “did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties”

The President Calls for Scrutiny of Political Opponents in the Epstein Case

This news coincides with growing demands from the president on lawmakers to oppose the public disclosure of Epstein-related documents before an upcoming House vote next week. Many Republicans are expected to support the disclosure.

Recently released communications from Epstein have brought attention to Trump’s previous connections with the sex trafficker, revealing details that he knew more about Epstein’s conduct than he has previously let on.

That same day, Trump announced he would ask the Department of Justice to examine Epstein’s ties with Democrats, including prominent individuals such as Clinton, Summers, and Hoffman. Interestingly, Trump also referred to the “Epstein hoax” as a “deception”.

Additional Updates from the Day

• Trump stated he would file a lawsuit against the BBC, despite a formal apology from the media outlet. Trump said the lawsuit could seek between a billion and $5bn.
• Epstein allegedly guided former Trump aide Steve Bannon during a 2018 media campaign to defend the president’s agenda. Communications made public detail Epstein’s role in coaching the influencer.
• US military are planning for a divided Gaza, with a secure area under joint military oversight and a “red zone” unreconstructed.
• State officials have reopened the sole ongoing legal case against the President after appointing a replacement attorney.
• Trump reversed tariff policy by reducing duties on imported goods like various food items to address rising costs.
• The two nations reached a trade agreement to lower tariffs on Swiss goods from a significant decrease.

Other notable events included appeals to protect national parks, objections of an monitoring group, and a court approval for a settlement in the OxyContin case.