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This past Friday, Pam Bondi assigned Jay Clayton to lead an investigation into opponents of the President and their connections with the late financier. This move came shortly after Trump instructed her to launch the investigation.

In a statement, Bondi highlighted 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 justice department officials which declared that documents related to Epstein did not warrant additional investigations. According to the memo, investigators “lacked sufficient evidence to pursue cases against other parties.”

Trump Calls for Scrutiny of Democrats in Epstein Case

The announcement coincides with growing demands from the president on congressional Republicans to block the public disclosure of Epstein-related documents ahead of an key congressional decision next week. Several lawmakers are anticipated to support the disclosure.

Newly public communications from Epstein have highlighted the president’s past involvement with the sex trafficker, including details that he was more aware of Epstein’s actions than earlier acknowledged.

On Friday, Trump announced he would ask the DOJ to investigate Epstein’s ties with Democrats, including Bill Clinton, Larry Summers and Reid Hoffman. Paradoxically, Trump also referred to the “Epstein hoax” as a “scam”.

Additional Updates from the Day

• The President stated he would file a lawsuit against the British broadcaster, even after a formal apology from the network. Trump said the lawsuit could seek between a billion and $5bn.
• Epstein allegedly advised Steve Bannon during a 2018 media campaign to support Trump’s policies. Communications made public show his role in advising Bannon.
• American forces are planning for a divided 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 appointing a new lead prosecutor.
• Trump reversed trade measures by reducing taxes on imported goods like beef, tomatoes, coffee and bananas to combat rising costs.
• The two nations concluded a trade agreement to reduce tariffs on products from Switzerland from a significant decrease.

Additional developments included calls to safeguard public lands, criticism of an monitoring group, and a court approval for a settlement in the OxyContin lawsuit.