The Trump administration significantly reduced the staff of the State Department’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, with approximately half of the remaining workers being fired or demoted on July 18. This move came despite bipartisan support for anti-trafficking efforts and prior focus on the issue during the administration’s first term. The cuts have also been met with disappointment within the office, especially since the former president has backtracked on releasing evidence related to Jeffrey Epstein’s case. The reductions were a surprise, particularly given the previous interest from the administration and its earlier focus on combating human trafficking.
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The Trump administration, under the direction of Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, released over 230,000 pages of documents concerning the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., fulfilling a promise to declassify files related to assassinations. This move, coordinated with various government agencies and touted by officials as a commitment to transparency, comes in the wake of continued public interest in the Jeffrey Epstein case. The release of the MLK files has not satisfied public demand for information on the Epstein investigation, which remains a major point of focus. Critics have expressed frustration, with many online expressing a desire for the release of the Epstein files instead of the MLK documents.
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Interest in the Jeffrey Epstein case has surged, driving up sales of books and viewership of documentaries in response to public intrigue. This renewed interest coincides with controversies surrounding the government’s reluctance to release full investigation files, which has caused divisions within the MAGA base and drew a public reversal from former President Donald Trump. Despite initial calls for transparency, Trump has since downplayed the significance of the case, even criticizing those pursuing declassification. This shifting stance has created tension between certain Republican figures who have advocated for file releases and the administration’s position.
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Governor Ron DeSantis has called for the release of all files related to Jeffrey Epstein, emphasizing the need for transparency due to the belief that Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell were not acting alone. These remarks come amid criticism of the Justice Department’s handling of the Epstein case, which has sparked calls for openness. Furthermore, last week the Wall Street Journal reported that Trump sent a lewd letter to Epstein, which prompted Trump to file a $10 billion lawsuit against the Journal. DeSantis had previously signed legislation authorizing the public release of grand jury documents, reflecting his commitment to transparency regarding the case.
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Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has issued a veiled warning to Donald Trump regarding his handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case, as Trump attempts to downplay the situation and dismiss it as a “hoax” to appease both his MAGA followers and “radical left lunatics.” Greene’s tweet suggests that Trump’s base demands more transparency, warning that the base will turn on him if he doesn’t address the issue head-on. Furthermore, Greene has criticized Trump’s approach, previously stating that she does not “accept” it. Despite the comments, Greene voted against a measure that would have forced the Trump administration to release Epstein’s files, drawing accusations of hypocrisy.
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Newly unearthed video shows Donald Trump judging the Elite Model Agency’s 1991 “Look of the Year” competition, which featured young models and has since been linked to sexual misconduct allegations against its founder. This resurfacing of the video occurs amidst scrutiny over Trump’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case, and as polls reveal widespread dissatisfaction with transparency surrounding the case, even among a portion of MAGA supporters. Furthermore, Trump has been criticized for past behavior at beauty pageants, including Miss Teen USA events, and he has also been linked to Epstein, having attended parties with him and making remarks about Epstein’s interest in younger women. Trump’s reaction to those seeking more information on the Epstein case has shifted, making it a political tool.
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Protests are planned across the United Kingdom in response to Donald Trump’s upcoming visits. Trump is scheduled to visit Scotland in late July for private meetings and will return in September for a state visit hosted by King Charles III at Windsor Castle. Demonstrations are being organized by groups like the Stop Trump Coalition, who are planning protests in both Scotland and London. These protests will include a march in London, a “festival of resistance” in Scotland, and a Youth Walkout Against Trump at universities. The protests echo previous discontent with Trump’s visits, and activists are ready to make their disapproval known.
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Maria Farmer, an artist who accused Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell of sexual assault in the 1990s, stated that she informed law enforcement officials of her suspicions of Epstein’s associates, including Donald Trump. She recounted an unsettling encounter with Trump in Epstein’s office in 1995, and brought up Trump’s name again during an FBI re-interview in 2006. This account could introduce Trump’s name into unreleased Epstein-related files, and potentially fuel mistrust regarding the official version of events. The White House has contested Farmer’s account and has stated that Trump ended his friendship with Epstein many years ago.
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Following an alleged incident with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell in 1996, accuser Maria Farmer urged the FBI to investigate Donald Trump. Farmer, who was working for Epstein as an art advisor, reported being groped by Epstein and Maxwell. During the reporting of the incident, she expressed concerns about high-profile individuals connected to Epstein, including Trump, mentioning a concerning encounter in 1995. According to Farmer, Trump stared at her legs and made her feel scared.
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USA TODAY readers are reacting to President Trump’s call to move on from the Jeffrey Epstein case, with many expressing dissatisfaction. Many readers believe an Epstein “client list” exists, and some think the Trump administration had access to it. Several people are expressing a sense of betrayal as they believe the President is protecting people on the list. Some readers who supported Trump are now urging him to release the list or resign.
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John Q. Hosedrinker