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This past Friday, the Attorney General appointed interim US attorney Jay Clayton to lead an inquiry into political adversaries of the President and their links with the late financier. This move came just after Trump directed her to begin the probe.

In a statement, the Attorney General praised Clayton as “a highly skilled and reliable legal expert”. She remarked, “The department will handle this matter promptly and thoroughly to provide clarity for citizens.”

This action seems to diverge from a recent memorandum from federal authorities which indicated that documents related to Epstein lacked grounds for further inquiries. According to the memo, investigators “did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties”

Trump Demands Scrutiny of Political Opponents in the Epstein Case

This news coincides with increasing demands from the president on congressional Republicans to resist the public disclosure of files concerning Epstein ahead of an key congressional decision next week. Several lawmakers are expected to back the disclosure.

Newly public emails from Epstein have spotlighted Trump’s previous connections with the sex trafficker, including information that his knowledge of Epstein’s behavior exceeded prior admissions.

On Friday, Trump declared he would ask the Department of Justice to examine 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 Developments from the Day

• Trump announced he would take legal action against the British broadcaster, even after a formal apology from the media outlet. He claimed the lawsuit could seek between a billion and $5bn.
• Jeffrey Epstein allegedly guided former Trump aide Steve Bannon during a pro-Trump effort to defend Trump’s policies. Communications released show Epstein’s role in coaching Bannon.
• American forces are planning for a partitioned Gaza, with a secure area under joint military oversight and a restricted section unreconstructed.
• State officials have revived the last remaining criminal case against the President after appointing a new lead prosecutor.
• Trump changed tariff policy by cutting taxes on imported goods like various food items to address inflation concerns.
• The two nations reached a deal to lower tariffs on products from Switzerland from a significant decrease.

Other notable events featured calls to protect national parks, criticism of an antisemitism watchdog, and a judge’s decision for a resolution in the Purdue Pharma lawsuit.