Attention will swing back': Epstein outrage unlikely to subside despite Trump's Iran war

"During his third presidential run, Trump promised to release investigative files involving someone Trump had once called a terrific guy. This pledge served as ideological catnip to the far-right flank of Trump's base, many of whom believe that a cabal of elite figures participated in Epstein's trafficking of teenage girls."

"In a rare display of bipartisanship, members of Congress took matters into their own hands, conducting their own investigations and passing the Epstein Files Transparency Act in November. Trump, despite repeatedly calling the Epstein files a hoax, signed the bill into law. His justice department had 30 days to disclose publicly all Epstein files, with rare exceptions."

"Trump's DoJ did not meet Congress's deadline, disseminating one tranche at the 30-day mark and several others days and weeks later—including a 3 million document disclosure on 30 January—prompting still more ire from opponents and some diehard supporters who believe more files remain."

During Trump's third presidential campaign, he promised to release investigative files related to Jeffrey Epstein, appealing to his far-right base who believe elite figures participated in trafficking. Trump's administration initially mishandled the release, disseminating documents slowly before halting disclosures entirely in July, causing backlash from supporters. Congress responded with bipartisan action, passing the Epstein Files Transparency Act in November, which Trump signed despite calling the files a hoax. The Justice Department was required to disclose all Epstein files within 30 days with rare exceptions. However, the DoJ missed the deadline, releasing documents in multiple tranches over weeks, including a 3 million document disclosure on January 30. This continued pattern of delayed releases has sustained outrage among both opponents and some supporters who believe additional files remain undisclosed.

Read at www.theguardian.com