Bondi Discloses Inquiry into Trump Opponents and Jeffrey Epstein Ties
On Friday, the Attorney General designated Jay Clayton to head an investigation into opponents of Donald Trump and their relationships with Jeffrey Epstein. This decision came shortly after the president instructed her to launch the probe.
During an announcement, Bondi highlighted Clayton as “among the nation’s top prosecutors”. She remarked, “The department will handle this matter promptly and thoroughly to provide clarity for citizens.”
This action contrasts with a recent memorandum from federal authorities which stated that the Epstein files did not warrant further inquiries. According to the document, investigators “lacked sufficient evidence to pursue cases against other parties.”
The President Demands Focus on Political Opponents in the Epstein Matter
This news comes as growing demands from Trump on congressional Republicans to resist the full release of files concerning Epstein before an upcoming House vote in the coming days. Many Republicans are expected to support the release.
Recently released emails from Epstein have highlighted the president’s previous connections with the convicted criminal, including details that he knew more about Epstein’s conduct than he has previously let on.
That same day, the President announced 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 “scam”.
Other Developments from Friday
- Trump announced he would take legal action against the British broadcaster, despite a formal apology from the network. Trump claimed the lawsuit could seek billions in damages.
- Jeffrey Epstein reportedly advised former Trump aide Steve Bannon during a pro-Trump effort to defend the president’s agenda. Communications released detail his role in advising Bannon.
- US military are planning for a partitioned Gaza, with a “green zone” under joint military oversight and a “red zone” unreconstructed.
- State officials have revived the sole ongoing legal case against Trump after naming a new lead prosecutor.
- The President changed trade measures by reducing duties on imported goods like beef, tomatoes, coffee and bananas to combat inflation concerns.
- US and Switzerland reached a deal to reduce tariffs 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 resolution in the OxyContin case.