Attorney General Pam Bondi announced on Friday that she has appointed Jay Clayton, the interim US attorney for the southern district of New York, to lead an investigation into Donald Trump's political adversaries and their ties to Jeffrey Epstein. The directive came hours after the president instructed her to do so.
The move marks a departure from a July memo issued by the justice department and the FBI, which stated that officials had found nothing in the Epstein files warranting further inquiries. The memo concluded that investigators 'did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties'.
It comes as Trump intensifies pressure on congressional Republicans to oppose the full release of Epstein-related files ahead of a crucial House vote expected next week. Many Republicans are anticipated to support the discharge petition demanding the justice department release all investigative files within 30 days.
The release of scores of Epstein's emails has highlighted the president's long history with the convicted sex trafficker, including indications that he knew more about Epstein's conduct than previously acknowledged. On Friday, Trump called for an investigation into Epstein's ties with Democrats, naming Bill Clinton, Larry Summers and Reid Hoffman, while also referring to an 'Epstein hoax'.
Several House Republicans, including Representatives Don Bacon, Tim Burchett and Rob Bresnahan, have indicated they will vote to release the files. The White House has applied heavy pressure on key Republicans, summoning Lauren Boebert to a meeting with Bondi and FBI director Kash Patel. Trump also contacted Nancy Mace, who explained her position as a sexual abuse survivor.
Democrats on the House oversight committee released three new emails suggesting Trump knew about Epstein's activities, including one where Epstein said 'of course [Trump] knew about the girls'. Trump's team dismissed these as cherry-picked, and Republicans released a larger trove of over 20,000 files, including documents showing Epstein's staff monitored Trump's air travel.
