Trump latest: US president calls letter to Jeffrey Epstein 'fake' - as Congress approves more cuts worth $9bn
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ITV News
22 minutes ago
- ITV News
Bill and Hillary Clinton subpoenaed by US Congress for Epstein investigation
Former US President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary have been subpoenaed by the US Congress to testify about Jeffrey Epstein. The Clintons were among several high-profile people to be named by the House Oversight Committee on Tuesday as it began a congressional probe that lawmakers believe may show links to President Donald Trump and former top officials. The request by the Republican-controlled committee came while Congress is on a month-long break, indicating that interest in the Epstein files remains high - despite efforts by Trump to move past it. Lawmakers from both major political parties, as well as many in the Republican president's political base, have refused to let go of the issue. James Comer, the Republican chairman of the oversight committee, noted in letters to Attorney General Pam Bondi and the former officials that the cases of Epstein and his former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell 'have received immense public interest and scrutiny.' 'While the Department undertakes efforts to uncover and publicly disclose additional information related to Mr. Epstein and Ms. Maxwell's cases, it is imperative that Congress conduct oversight of the federal government's enforcement of sex trafficking laws generally and specifically its handling of the investigation and prosecution of Mr. Epstein and Ms. Maxwell,' Comer said. Since Epstein's 2019 death in a New York jail cell as he awaited trial for sex trafficking charges, conspiracy theories have swirled around over what information investigators gathered on Epstein — and who else knew about his sexual abuse of teenage girls. Conservative conspiracists have formed a core part of Trump's base, and his decision to rein back on his promise of releasing the files has created fury within some circles. The renewed focus on the Epstein files has also galvanised public opinion on the issue, with many polls showing a majority of Americans now believe they should be released. Bill Clinton was among a number of senior politicians acquainted with Epstein, a wealthy financier, before the criminal investigation against him in Florida became public two decades ago. Clinton has never been accused of wrongdoing by any of the women who say Epstein abused them. One of Epstein's victims, Virginia Giuffre, once gave a newspaper interview in which she described riding in a helicopter with Clinton and flirting with Trump, but she later said in a deposition that those things hadn't actually happened and were mistakes by the reporter. Clinton has previously said through a spokesperson that while he travelled on Epstein's jet, he never visited his homes and had no knowledge of his crimes. The committee is also demanding interviews under oath from former attorneys general spanning the last four presidential administrations: Merrick Garland, William Barr, Jeff Sessions, Loretta Lynch, Eric Holder and Alberto Gonzales. Lawmakers also subpoenaed former FBI Directors James Comey and Robert Mueller. The committee has also subpoenaed the Trump administration's Justice Department for its files on Epstein, in a move spearheaded by the Democrats on the committee. They were joined by some Republicans last month to successfully initiate the subpoena through a subcommittee of the House Oversight Committee. 'Today was an important step forward in our fight for transparency regarding the Epstein files and our dedication to seeking justice for the victims,' said Democrats Robert Garcia and Summer Lee, who initiated the subpoena, in a joint statement. They added: 'Now, we must continue putting pressure on the Department of Justice until we actually receive every document.' The subpoenas give the Justice Department until August 19 to hand over the requested records, though such requests are typically open to negotiation and can be resisted by the Trump administration. The committee is also asking the former officials to appear for the depositions throughout August, September and October, concluding with Hillary Clinton on October 9 and Bill Clinton on October 14. Multiple former presidents have voluntarily testified before Congress, but none has been compelled to do so. Trump resisted efforts to get him to testify in 2022 about the January 6 riots, with the committee ultimately withdrawing the subpoena. The committee had previously issued a subpoena for an interview with Maxwell, who had been serving a prison sentence in Florida for luring teenage girls to be sexually abused by Epstein but was recently transferred to a Texas facility. However, Comer has indicated he is willing to delay that deposition until after the Supreme Court decides whether to hear an appeal of her conviction. She argues she was wrongfully prosecuted. As the Justice Department has tried to appease demands for more disclosure, it has turned its attention to Maxwell. Officials interviewed her for several days last month. But Democrats stressed the importance of gaining direct access to the investigative files, rather than relying on Maxwell's words.
The Independent
22 minutes ago
- The Independent
Purdue University student freed from ICE detention after outcry from faith leaders
A Purdue University student from South Korea has been freed from federal detention, tearfully reuniting with her family and religious community in Manhattan following days of outcry from faith leaders in New York and abroad. Yeonsoo Go, 20, was taken into custody on Thursday during a routine immigration hearing in Manhattan, according to her attorneys and family. She was then transferred to a federal detention facility in Monroe, Louisiana, where she was held for three nights before being released without bail on Monday. Mary Rothwell Davis, an attorney for the Episcopal Diocese of New York, where Go's mother works as a priest, said the family had not received an explanation for the arrest or abrupt reversal. 'We don't know why it happened, but we're very happy that it did,' Davis said. 'We were moving heaven and earth to make it known that we thought this was a mistake.' A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security said Go had been placed in expedited removal proceedings for overstaying an expired visa. The agency did not respond to questions about what prompted Go's release. 'The fact of the matter is those who are in our country illegally have a choice — they can leave the country voluntarily or be arrested and deported," agency spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement. But Davis disputed the contention that Go was here illegally. She said Go has maintained a valid visa since arriving in the U.S. in 2021, along with her mother, Rev. Kyrie Kim, who leads a Korean congregation in the New York area. A graduate of Scarsdale High School in the suburbs of New York City, Go studies at Purdue's College of Pharmacy and remains active in the Episcopalian church, according to Davis. In recent days, clergy members, including Bishop Matthew Heyd, as well as the church leaders in Korea, have called on the Trump administration to release Go, insisting that her arrest was a mistake. 'Whether it was our outcry or some other factor that persuaded DHS to send her home, we don't know, but we're so grateful,' Davis said, adding that Go's experience in detention was 'unbelievably traumatic.' New York State Assemblymember Amy Paulin, a Democrat, said she had spoken by phone with Go, who she described as 'relieved' to be home. 'She is home, she is safe, and she is so grateful for the outpouring of love and support from this incredible community,' Paulin said.
The Independent
22 minutes ago
- The Independent
Elon Musk is the least popular public figure in America
Elon Musk is the least popular public figure in America, according to a new study. Pollster Gallup found that out of a list of 14 prominent figures, the tech billionaire came dead last, ranked just below Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has been accused of crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court. Gallup asked 1,000 random American adults between July 7 and July 21 what they thought of the figures, with 61 percent of respondents having an unfavorable opinion of the Tesla boss. Others on the list included Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, Joe Biden and Pope Leo XIV. Though the overwhelming majority had negative reactions towards him, 33 percent of respondents to the survey said they liked Musk, and six percent said they had no opinion on him at all. The world's richest man's fall from grace has been a speedy one, having enjoyed the self-proclaimed status of 'First Buddy' to Donald Trump – currying favor with the president and his stalwart MAGA base and leading controversial efforts by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to slash spending. Gallup put his 'net favorability rate' at -4 at the beginning of the year. However, following an explosive fallout between the pair in early June, in which they traded blows from their respective social media platforms, Musk was ousted from Trump's inner circle – with the president even suggesting that the South African-born businessman 'go back where he came from.' Gallup now puts his 'net favorability rate' at -28. Trump's lack of faith and endorsement have also mirrored that of Tesla 's stocks, which have been in steady decline. The electric vehicle manufacturer last month posted a 16 percent drop in net income for the second quarter of 2025 and a 12 percent fall in revenue for the same period. Musk and his reputation have even managed to turn people off EVs in general, according to a study by Williams College. While Trump's favorability was better than his former bestie's, the president still sits at 'net favorability' of -16; 57 percent of respondents hold a negative view of the president and 41 hold a positive one. Only two percent had no opinion. Several members of the president's close circle are viewed more positively, including vice president JD Vance, Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, and even Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Netanyahu and Rubio occupy the second and third lowest spots on the poll, with -23 and -26 'net favorability' respectively.
