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On Friday, the Attorney General designated Jay Clayton to lead an inquiry into opponents of the President and their connections with the late financier. This decision came hours after the president directed her to begin the probe.

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

This development appears to contradict a July memo from justice department officials which stated that the Epstein files lacked grounds for additional investigations. As per the memo, authorities “lacked sufficient evidence to pursue cases against other parties.”

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

This news comes as growing pressure from Trump on lawmakers to block the public disclosure of Epstein-related documents before an upcoming House vote next week. Many Republicans are anticipated to back the release.

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

On Friday, the President announced he would direct the Department of Justice to examine Epstein’s ties with Democrats, specifically naming Bill Clinton, Larry Summers and Reid Hoffman. Interestingly, he also described the “Epstein hoax” as a “scam”.

Additional Updates from Friday

• Trump stated he would file a lawsuit against the BBC, even after an apology from the media outlet. Trump claimed the legal case could seek between a billion and $5bn.
• Epstein reportedly advised former Trump aide Steve Bannon during a pro-Trump effort to defend the president’s agenda. Text messages made public detail his involvement in coaching Bannon.
• American forces are planning for a divided Gaza, with a secure area under international and Israeli control and a “red zone” unreconstructed.
• State officials have revived the sole ongoing legal case against the President after naming a new lead prosecutor.
• Trump changed trade measures by reducing taxes on imported goods like beef, tomatoes, coffee and bananas to address inflation concerns.
• US and Switzerland concluded a trade agreement to lower tariffs on Swiss goods from 39% to 15%.

Additional developments featured appeals to safeguard public lands, objections of an antisemitism watchdog, and a court approval for a settlement in the Purdue Pharma lawsuit.