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This past Friday, the Attorney General designated Jay Clayton to head an inquiry into political adversaries of Donald Trump and their links with Jeffrey Epstein. This move came hours after the president instructed her to initiate the investigation.

During an announcement, Bondi highlighted Clayton as “one of the most capable and trusted prosecutors in the country”. She added, “This case will be addressed with speed and honesty to ensure public transparency.”

This action appears to contradict a July memo from federal authorities which indicated that the Epstein files lacked grounds for additional investigations. According to the memo, investigators “did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties”

The President Demands Scrutiny of Democrats in the Epstein Case

The announcement comes as growing pressure from Trump on lawmakers to resist the full release of files concerning Epstein before an key congressional decision in the coming days. Many Republicans are expected to support the release.

Recently released communications from Epstein have spotlighted Trump’s previous connections with the convicted criminal, revealing details that he knew more about Epstein’s conduct than he has previously let on.

On Friday, the President declared he would ask the DOJ to examine Epstein’s ties with Democrats, specifically naming prominent individuals such as Clinton, Summers, and Hoffman. Paradoxically, Trump also referred to the “Epstein situation” as a “scam”.

Additional Updates from the Day

• Trump announced he would take legal action against the British broadcaster, even after a formal apology from the media outlet. Trump claimed the legal case could seek billions in damages.
• Epstein allegedly advised former Trump aide Steve Bannon during a pro-Trump effort to defend the president’s agenda. Text messages released detail his role in coaching Bannon.
• American forces are developing plans for a partitioned Gaza, with a “green zone” under international and Israeli control and a “red zone” unreconstructed.
• Georgia prosecutor have reopened the sole ongoing legal case against Trump after naming a new lead prosecutor.
• Trump changed trade measures by cutting duties on food imports like beef, tomatoes, coffee and bananas to combat rising costs.
• US and Switzerland concluded a trade agreement to reduce import taxes on products from Switzerland from a significant decrease.

Other notable events featured calls to safeguard public lands, objections of an antisemitism watchdog, and a court approval for a settlement in the OxyContin lawsuit.