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On Friday, the Attorney General appointed interim US attorney Jay Clayton to oversee an investigation into opponents of Donald Trump and their links with the late financier. This action came shortly after the president instructed her to launch the investigation.

In a statement, the Attorney General commended Clayton as “a highly skilled and reliable legal expert”. The official added, “As with all matters, the department will pursue this with urgency and integrity to deliver answers to the American people.”

This action appears to contradict a July memo from federal authorities which stated that documents related to Epstein did not warrant additional investigations. As per the document, investigators “lacked sufficient evidence to pursue cases against other parties.”

Trump Calls for Scrutiny of Political Opponents in the Epstein Matter

This news coincides with growing pressure from Trump on lawmakers to resist the public disclosure of files concerning Epstein ahead of an key congressional decision in the coming days. Many Republicans are anticipated to support the release.

Newly public communications from Jeffrey Epstein have brought attention to the president’s past involvement with the convicted criminal, revealing information that he knew more about Epstein’s conduct than he has previously let on.

That same day, Trump declared he would ask the Department of Justice to investigate Epstein’s ties with Democrats, specifically naming prominent individuals such as Clinton, Summers, and Hoffman. Paradoxically, Trump also referred to the “Epstein hoax” as a “deception”.

Other Developments from Friday

• Trump announced he would file a lawsuit against the BBC, even after an apology from the media outlet. He claimed the legal case could seek billions in damages.
• Epstein allegedly guided Steve Bannon during a pro-Trump effort to support Trump’s policies. Text messages released detail Epstein’s role in coaching the influencer.
• American forces are developing plans for a partitioned Gaza, with a “green zone” under international and Israeli control and a “red zone” unreconstructed.
• State officials have reopened the last remaining criminal case against Trump after naming a new lead prosecutor.
• The President changed trade measures by cutting taxes on food imports like various food items to address inflation concerns.
• The two nations concluded a deal to lower tariffs on products from Switzerland from 39% to 15%.

Additional developments included calls to safeguard public lands, criticism of an antisemitism watchdog, and a judge’s decision for a resolution in the Purdue Pharma lawsuit.