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This past Friday, Pam Bondi designated Jay Clayton to lead an probe into opponents of Donald Trump and their links with Jeffrey Epstein. This decision came just after Trump instructed her to initiate the investigation.

During an announcement, Bondi commended Clayton as “one of the most capable and trusted prosecutors in the country”. The official stated, “The department will handle this matter promptly and thoroughly to provide clarity for citizens.”

This action seems to diverge from a July memo from justice department officials which declared that the Epstein files did not warrant further inquiries. According to the memo, authorities “lacked sufficient evidence to pursue cases against other parties.”

The President Calls for Focus on Political Opponents in Epstein Case

This news comes as growing demands from the president on lawmakers to block the public disclosure of files concerning Epstein ahead of an upcoming House vote next week. Several lawmakers are expected to back the release.

Newly public emails from Jeffrey Epstein have brought attention to the president’s previous connections with the convicted criminal, including information that he knew more about Epstein’s conduct than he has previously let on.

On Friday, the President announced he would direct the DOJ to investigate Epstein’s ties with Democrats, specifically naming prominent individuals such as Clinton, Summers, and Hoffman. Paradoxically, he also referred to the “Epstein situation” as a “deception”.

Additional Developments from the Day

• Trump announced he would take legal action against the BBC, even after an apology from the media outlet. Trump said the legal case could seek between a billion and $5bn.
• Epstein reportedly guided Steve Bannon during a 2018 media campaign to defend Trump’s policies. Communications released show 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” left in ruins.
• State officials have reopened the last remaining criminal case against the President after appointing a new lead prosecutor.
• The President changed tariff policy by reducing taxes on imported goods like beef, tomatoes, coffee and bananas to address inflation concerns.
• The two nations reached a trade agreement to reduce import taxes on Swiss goods from 39% to 15%.

Other notable events included appeals to protect national parks, criticism of an antisemitism watchdog, and a court approval for a resolution in the Purdue Pharma case.