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This past Friday, Pam Bondi assigned interim US attorney Jay Clayton to head an investigation into political adversaries of Donald Trump and their connections with the late financier. This move came shortly after the president directed her to launch the investigation.

During an announcement, Bondi praised Clayton as “among the nation’s top prosecutors”. 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 contrasts with a July memo from federal authorities which stated that the Epstein files did not warrant further inquiries. As per the memo, authorities “lacked sufficient evidence to pursue cases against other parties.”

Trump Demands Scrutiny of Democrats in the Epstein Matter

This news coincides with growing demands from the president on congressional Republicans to resist the full release of files concerning Epstein ahead of an key congressional decision next week. Several lawmakers are expected to back the release.

Newly public emails from Jeffrey Epstein have highlighted the president’s past involvement with the convicted criminal, revealing information that his knowledge of Epstein’s behavior exceeded prior admissions.

That same day, Trump declared he would direct the Department of Justice to investigate Epstein’s ties with Democrats, including Bill Clinton, Larry Summers and Reid Hoffman. Paradoxically, he also referred to the “Epstein hoax” as a “deception”.

Other Updates from Friday

• The President stated he would file a lawsuit against the BBC, even after a formal apology from the network. Trump claimed the legal case could seek billions in damages.
• Jeffrey Epstein reportedly advised former Trump aide Steve Bannon during a 2018 media campaign to defend Trump’s policies. Communications made public detail Epstein’s role in advising the influencer.
• American forces are planning for a partitioned Gaza, with a secure area under international and Israeli control and a restricted section unreconstructed.
• State officials have reopened the sole ongoing legal case against Trump after appointing a new lead prosecutor.
• The President changed trade measures by reducing duties on food imports like various food items to address rising costs.
• The two nations reached a trade agreement to reduce tariffs on Swiss goods from a significant decrease.

Other notable events featured appeals to safeguard public lands, objections of an antisemitism watchdog, and a court approval for a settlement in the OxyContin lawsuit.