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On Friday, the Attorney General appointed Jay Clayton to oversee an investigation into political adversaries of Donald Trump and their relationships with the late financier. This decision came shortly after the president instructed her to initiate the investigation.

In a statement, the Attorney General highlighted Clayton as “a highly skilled and reliable legal expert”. She stated, “This case will be addressed with speed and honesty to ensure public transparency.”

This action appears to contradict a July memo from justice department officials which indicated that documents related to Epstein lacked grounds for further inquiries. According to the memo, authorities “found no proof justifying probes into uncharged individuals”

The President Demands Focus on Political Opponents in the Epstein Case

This news comes as increasing demands from the president on congressional Republicans to resist the public disclosure of files concerning Epstein ahead of an upcoming House vote next week. Many Republicans are expected to support the release.

Newly public communications from Epstein have spotlighted Trump’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 direct the Department of Justice to examine Epstein’s ties with Democrats, including prominent individuals such as Clinton, Summers, and Hoffman. Interestingly, he also described the “Epstein hoax” as a “deception”.

Other Developments from Friday

• The President announced he would file a lawsuit against the British broadcaster, despite a formal apology from the media outlet. Trump claimed the legal case could seek between a billion and $5bn.
• Epstein reportedly guided former Trump aide Steve Bannon during a 2018 media campaign to support the president’s agenda. Text messages made public detail his involvement in coaching Bannon.
• US military are planning for a divided Gaza, with a “green zone” under joint military oversight and a restricted section unreconstructed.
• State officials have revived the sole ongoing legal case against the President after appointing a replacement attorney.
• Trump changed trade measures by cutting taxes on food imports like various food items to combat inflation concerns.
• US and Switzerland concluded a trade agreement to lower import taxes on products from Switzerland from a significant decrease.

Other notable events featured appeals to protect national parks, objections of an antisemitism watchdog, and a judge’s decision for a resolution in the Purdue Pharma case.