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This past Friday, Pam Bondi assigned Jay Clayton to lead an probe into opponents of Donald Trump and their relationships with the late financier. This action came hours after Trump ordered her to begin the investigation.

In a statement, Bondi commended Jay Clayton as “a highly skilled and reliable legal expert”. The official added, “The department will handle this matter promptly and thoroughly to provide clarity for citizens.”

This development seems to diverge from a July memo from justice department officials which stated that documents related to Epstein did not warrant additional investigations. According to the document, investigators “found no proof justifying probes into uncharged individuals”

Trump Demands Focus on Political Opponents in the Epstein Matter

The announcement coincides with increasing pressure from Trump on lawmakers to block the public disclosure of Epstein-related documents ahead of an key congressional decision next week. Many Republicans are anticipated to support the disclosure.

Newly public communications from Epstein have spotlighted 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, Trump announced he would ask the Department of Justice to examine connections between Epstein and Democratic figures, specifically naming Bill Clinton, Larry Summers and Reid Hoffman. Paradoxically, Trump also described the “Epstein hoax” as a “scam”.

Other Updates from Friday

• Trump announced he would take legal action against the BBC, despite an apology from the network. He said the legal case could seek between a billion and $5bn.
• Jeffrey Epstein allegedly guided Steve Bannon during a pro-Trump effort to defend the president’s agenda. Communications made public show his involvement in coaching Bannon.
• American forces are planning for a partitioned Gaza, with a secure area under joint military oversight and a “red zone” unreconstructed.
• State officials have reopened the sole ongoing legal case against Trump after appointing a replacement attorney.
• Trump reversed trade measures by cutting taxes on food imports like beef, tomatoes, coffee and bananas to combat inflation concerns.
• US and Switzerland reached a trade agreement to reduce tariffs on Swiss goods from 39% to 15%.

Additional developments included appeals to safeguard public lands, objections of an antisemitism watchdog, and a court approval for a resolution in the OxyContin lawsuit.