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This past Friday, the Attorney General assigned interim US attorney Jay Clayton to head an inquiry into opponents of Donald Trump and their relationships with Jeffrey Epstein. This move came just after Trump instructed her to begin the probe.

During an announcement, the Attorney General highlighted Clayton as “among the nation’s top prosecutors”. She added, “As with all matters, the department will pursue this with urgency and integrity to deliver answers to the American people.”

This development seems to diverge from a July memo from justice department officials which declared that the Epstein files lacked grounds for further inquiries. According to the document, authorities “did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties”

Trump Calls for Focus on Democrats in Epstein Case

The announcement coincides with increasing pressure from Trump on congressional Republicans to block the full release of files concerning Epstein ahead of an key congressional decision in the coming days. Many Republicans are expected to support the release.

Newly public communications from Jeffrey Epstein have brought attention to Trump’s previous connections with the convicted criminal, including details that he was more aware of Epstein’s actions than earlier acknowledged.

That same day, Trump declared he would direct the DOJ to investigate Epstein’s ties with Democrats, including prominent individuals such as Clinton, Summers, and Hoffman. Interestingly, Trump also referred to the “Epstein hoax” as a “scam”.

Other Updates from the Day

• Trump announced he would file a lawsuit against the BBC, despite a formal apology from the network. He said the lawsuit could seek between a billion and $5bn.
• Epstein allegedly guided Steve Bannon during a pro-Trump effort to defend the president’s agenda. Text messages made public detail his role in coaching Bannon.
• US military are developing plans for a divided Gaza, with a secure area under international and Israeli control and a restricted section left in ruins.
• Georgia prosecutor have revived the last remaining criminal case against Trump after appointing a replacement attorney.
• Trump reversed trade measures by cutting taxes on imported goods like various food items to combat inflation concerns.
• US and Switzerland reached a trade agreement to lower import taxes on Swiss goods from a significant decrease.

Additional developments included calls to safeguard public lands, criticism of an antisemitism watchdog, and a judge’s decision for a resolution in the OxyContin lawsuit.