Hegseth to remove 2000 National Guard troops from LA
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said the decision owed to the success of the mission.
"Thanks to our troops who stepped up to answer the call, the lawlessness in Los Angeles is subsiding," Parnell said in a statement.
"As such, the Secretary has ordered the release of 2000 California National Guardsmen from the federal protection mission."
Trump deployed the California National Guard troops to Los Angeles in June, against the wishes of Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, to quell protests triggered by immigration raids on workplaces by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
He also sent about 700 Marines.
Despite legal challenges, a US appeals court let Trump retain control of California's National Guard.
But his decision to send troops into Los Angeles prompted a national debate about the use of the military on US soil and inflamed political tension in the country's second-most-populous city.
The Pentagon has defended the deployment, saying safeguarding ICE agents ensures they can do their jobs.
Even after the withdrawal of those military personnel from Los Angeles, 2000 National Guard troops would remain in the city along with the roughly 700 Marines.
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The Advertiser
25 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
S&P 500, Nasdaq move higher after mixed earnings
The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq have risen, as investors sifted through a patchwork of earnings from megacaps like Alphabet and Tesla, while the Dow has been weighed down by losses in UnitedHealth and IBM. In early trading on Thursday, the S&P 500 gained 10.62 points, or 0.17 per cent, to 6,369.85 and the Nasdaq Composite gained 66.26 points, or 0.33 per cent, to 21,086.27. Alphabet rose 1.9 per cent after the Google parent raised its 2025 capital spending forecast by $US10 billion ($A15 billion) to $US85 billion ($A129 billion), shrugging off trade jitters, while electric vehicle maker Tesla tumbled 7.6 per cent as CEO Elon Musk warned of "a few rough quarters" due to cuts in EV incentives. Losses in UnitedHealth, IBM and Honeywell weighed on the blue-chip Dow, which fell 0.6 per cent -though it remained close to its December 4 record high. UnitedHealth lost 2.3 per cent. The insurer revealed it's cooperating with a Department of Justice probe into its Medicare practices, following reports of both criminal and civil investigations. IBM sank 9.5 per cent as its second-quarter results fell flat with investors, hampered by disappointing sales in its core software division. Honeywell, meanwhile, dipped 5.2 per cent despite topping Wall Street's expectations and raising its annual outlook. On the trade front, an EU spokesperson hinted that a deal was "within reach"—one that could slap a broad 15 per cent tariff on imports across the 27-member bloc, according to diplomats. Meanwhile, fresh signs of progress emerged after President Donald Trump struck an agreement with Japan, slicing tariffs on Japanese goods to 15 per cent. China and South Korea are also scrambling to clinch their own deals and sidestep Trump's hefty duties. Yet, some of Wall Street's heavyweights were starting to feel the sting of Trump's sweeping tariffs, injecting a dose of caution into the market mood. American Airlines fell 9.2 per cent after forecasting a bigger-than-expected third-quarter loss, hurt by sluggish domestic travel demand. Shares of ServiceNow rose 5.5 per cent after the software firm raised its annual subscription revenue forecast. Markets were also monitoring developments after the White House surprised investors that Trump - fresh from stepping up his criticism of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell - would pay a visit to the US central bank's headquarters later in the day. With the Fed widely expected to hold rates steady at next week's meeting, traders are now pricing in a 62 per cent chance of a September rate cut, according to CME's FedWatch tool. The latest Labour Department report showed weekly jobless claims fell to 217,000—well below estimates—signalling continued resilience in the US job market. "It (data) is a good guide for the health of the economy and this week's jobless claims show that the economy is ticking along just nicely," said Neil Birrell, chief investment officer at Premier Miton Investors. US business activity gained momentum in July, but companies hiked prices on goods and services—a move that's fuelling economists' predictions of faster inflation in the months ahead, largely driven by rising import tariffs Declining issues outnumbered advancers by a 2.05-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and by a 1.63-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq. The S&P 500 posted 21 new 52-week highs and two new lows, while the Nasdaq Composite recorded 40 new highs and 13 new lows. The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq have risen, as investors sifted through a patchwork of earnings from megacaps like Alphabet and Tesla, while the Dow has been weighed down by losses in UnitedHealth and IBM. In early trading on Thursday, the S&P 500 gained 10.62 points, or 0.17 per cent, to 6,369.85 and the Nasdaq Composite gained 66.26 points, or 0.33 per cent, to 21,086.27. Alphabet rose 1.9 per cent after the Google parent raised its 2025 capital spending forecast by $US10 billion ($A15 billion) to $US85 billion ($A129 billion), shrugging off trade jitters, while electric vehicle maker Tesla tumbled 7.6 per cent as CEO Elon Musk warned of "a few rough quarters" due to cuts in EV incentives. Losses in UnitedHealth, IBM and Honeywell weighed on the blue-chip Dow, which fell 0.6 per cent -though it remained close to its December 4 record high. UnitedHealth lost 2.3 per cent. The insurer revealed it's cooperating with a Department of Justice probe into its Medicare practices, following reports of both criminal and civil investigations. IBM sank 9.5 per cent as its second-quarter results fell flat with investors, hampered by disappointing sales in its core software division. Honeywell, meanwhile, dipped 5.2 per cent despite topping Wall Street's expectations and raising its annual outlook. On the trade front, an EU spokesperson hinted that a deal was "within reach"—one that could slap a broad 15 per cent tariff on imports across the 27-member bloc, according to diplomats. Meanwhile, fresh signs of progress emerged after President Donald Trump struck an agreement with Japan, slicing tariffs on Japanese goods to 15 per cent. China and South Korea are also scrambling to clinch their own deals and sidestep Trump's hefty duties. Yet, some of Wall Street's heavyweights were starting to feel the sting of Trump's sweeping tariffs, injecting a dose of caution into the market mood. American Airlines fell 9.2 per cent after forecasting a bigger-than-expected third-quarter loss, hurt by sluggish domestic travel demand. Shares of ServiceNow rose 5.5 per cent after the software firm raised its annual subscription revenue forecast. Markets were also monitoring developments after the White House surprised investors that Trump - fresh from stepping up his criticism of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell - would pay a visit to the US central bank's headquarters later in the day. With the Fed widely expected to hold rates steady at next week's meeting, traders are now pricing in a 62 per cent chance of a September rate cut, according to CME's FedWatch tool. The latest Labour Department report showed weekly jobless claims fell to 217,000—well below estimates—signalling continued resilience in the US job market. "It (data) is a good guide for the health of the economy and this week's jobless claims show that the economy is ticking along just nicely," said Neil Birrell, chief investment officer at Premier Miton Investors. US business activity gained momentum in July, but companies hiked prices on goods and services—a move that's fuelling economists' predictions of faster inflation in the months ahead, largely driven by rising import tariffs Declining issues outnumbered advancers by a 2.05-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and by a 1.63-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq. The S&P 500 posted 21 new 52-week highs and two new lows, while the Nasdaq Composite recorded 40 new highs and 13 new lows. The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq have risen, as investors sifted through a patchwork of earnings from megacaps like Alphabet and Tesla, while the Dow has been weighed down by losses in UnitedHealth and IBM. In early trading on Thursday, the S&P 500 gained 10.62 points, or 0.17 per cent, to 6,369.85 and the Nasdaq Composite gained 66.26 points, or 0.33 per cent, to 21,086.27. Alphabet rose 1.9 per cent after the Google parent raised its 2025 capital spending forecast by $US10 billion ($A15 billion) to $US85 billion ($A129 billion), shrugging off trade jitters, while electric vehicle maker Tesla tumbled 7.6 per cent as CEO Elon Musk warned of "a few rough quarters" due to cuts in EV incentives. Losses in UnitedHealth, IBM and Honeywell weighed on the blue-chip Dow, which fell 0.6 per cent -though it remained close to its December 4 record high. UnitedHealth lost 2.3 per cent. The insurer revealed it's cooperating with a Department of Justice probe into its Medicare practices, following reports of both criminal and civil investigations. IBM sank 9.5 per cent as its second-quarter results fell flat with investors, hampered by disappointing sales in its core software division. Honeywell, meanwhile, dipped 5.2 per cent despite topping Wall Street's expectations and raising its annual outlook. On the trade front, an EU spokesperson hinted that a deal was "within reach"—one that could slap a broad 15 per cent tariff on imports across the 27-member bloc, according to diplomats. Meanwhile, fresh signs of progress emerged after President Donald Trump struck an agreement with Japan, slicing tariffs on Japanese goods to 15 per cent. China and South Korea are also scrambling to clinch their own deals and sidestep Trump's hefty duties. Yet, some of Wall Street's heavyweights were starting to feel the sting of Trump's sweeping tariffs, injecting a dose of caution into the market mood. American Airlines fell 9.2 per cent after forecasting a bigger-than-expected third-quarter loss, hurt by sluggish domestic travel demand. Shares of ServiceNow rose 5.5 per cent after the software firm raised its annual subscription revenue forecast. Markets were also monitoring developments after the White House surprised investors that Trump - fresh from stepping up his criticism of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell - would pay a visit to the US central bank's headquarters later in the day. With the Fed widely expected to hold rates steady at next week's meeting, traders are now pricing in a 62 per cent chance of a September rate cut, according to CME's FedWatch tool. The latest Labour Department report showed weekly jobless claims fell to 217,000—well below estimates—signalling continued resilience in the US job market. "It (data) is a good guide for the health of the economy and this week's jobless claims show that the economy is ticking along just nicely," said Neil Birrell, chief investment officer at Premier Miton Investors. US business activity gained momentum in July, but companies hiked prices on goods and services—a move that's fuelling economists' predictions of faster inflation in the months ahead, largely driven by rising import tariffs Declining issues outnumbered advancers by a 2.05-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and by a 1.63-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq. The S&P 500 posted 21 new 52-week highs and two new lows, while the Nasdaq Composite recorded 40 new highs and 13 new lows. The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq have risen, as investors sifted through a patchwork of earnings from megacaps like Alphabet and Tesla, while the Dow has been weighed down by losses in UnitedHealth and IBM. In early trading on Thursday, the S&P 500 gained 10.62 points, or 0.17 per cent, to 6,369.85 and the Nasdaq Composite gained 66.26 points, or 0.33 per cent, to 21,086.27. Alphabet rose 1.9 per cent after the Google parent raised its 2025 capital spending forecast by $US10 billion ($A15 billion) to $US85 billion ($A129 billion), shrugging off trade jitters, while electric vehicle maker Tesla tumbled 7.6 per cent as CEO Elon Musk warned of "a few rough quarters" due to cuts in EV incentives. Losses in UnitedHealth, IBM and Honeywell weighed on the blue-chip Dow, which fell 0.6 per cent -though it remained close to its December 4 record high. UnitedHealth lost 2.3 per cent. The insurer revealed it's cooperating with a Department of Justice probe into its Medicare practices, following reports of both criminal and civil investigations. IBM sank 9.5 per cent as its second-quarter results fell flat with investors, hampered by disappointing sales in its core software division. Honeywell, meanwhile, dipped 5.2 per cent despite topping Wall Street's expectations and raising its annual outlook. On the trade front, an EU spokesperson hinted that a deal was "within reach"—one that could slap a broad 15 per cent tariff on imports across the 27-member bloc, according to diplomats. Meanwhile, fresh signs of progress emerged after President Donald Trump struck an agreement with Japan, slicing tariffs on Japanese goods to 15 per cent. China and South Korea are also scrambling to clinch their own deals and sidestep Trump's hefty duties. Yet, some of Wall Street's heavyweights were starting to feel the sting of Trump's sweeping tariffs, injecting a dose of caution into the market mood. American Airlines fell 9.2 per cent after forecasting a bigger-than-expected third-quarter loss, hurt by sluggish domestic travel demand. Shares of ServiceNow rose 5.5 per cent after the software firm raised its annual subscription revenue forecast. Markets were also monitoring developments after the White House surprised investors that Trump - fresh from stepping up his criticism of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell - would pay a visit to the US central bank's headquarters later in the day. With the Fed widely expected to hold rates steady at next week's meeting, traders are now pricing in a 62 per cent chance of a September rate cut, according to CME's FedWatch tool. The latest Labour Department report showed weekly jobless claims fell to 217,000—well below estimates—signalling continued resilience in the US job market. "It (data) is a good guide for the health of the economy and this week's jobless claims show that the economy is ticking along just nicely," said Neil Birrell, chief investment officer at Premier Miton Investors. US business activity gained momentum in July, but companies hiked prices on goods and services—a move that's fuelling economists' predictions of faster inflation in the months ahead, largely driven by rising import tariffs Declining issues outnumbered advancers by a 2.05-to-1 ratio on the NYSE and by a 1.63-to-1 ratio on the Nasdaq. The S&P 500 posted 21 new 52-week highs and two new lows, while the Nasdaq Composite recorded 40 new highs and 13 new lows.
The Advertiser
28 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
Trump to check out Federal Reserve's pricey renovations
President Donald Trump plans to step foot in the Federal Reserve as his allies scrutinise its expensive building renovations, a highly personal and confrontational escalation of his campaign to pressure the central bank to slash interest rates. Trump administration officials have used concerns about the building overhaul to cast doubt on Fed Chairman Jerome Powell's decision-making. They were scheduled to inspect the site on Thursday, and the White House announced late Wednesday that the president would also be visiting. The visit reflects Trump's disregard for the traditional independence of the Fed, which plays a foundational role in the American economy by setting monetary policy that is supposed to be free of political influence. While previous presidents have criticised the Fed's decisions, Trump's sustained campaign is an unusual and, his critics say, dangerous departure from the norm. He has called on Powell to resign, insulted him repeatedly and suggested he could be fired. More recently, Trump has said he has no plans to oust Powell, which could be illegal. Pushing Powell out also would send shockwaves through global markets, potentially having the opposite effect that Trump wants as he pushes for lower borrowing costs. Trump, a Republican, appointed Powell during his first term, and President Joe Biden, a Democrat, extended his tenure. Powell's term doesn't end until next May, and he's previously insisted that he will serve until then. Not everyone in Trump's administration agrees with the president's contention that Powell needs to resign. "There's nothing that tells me that he should step down right now," said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, whom Trump has floated as a potential replacement for Powell, in a recent interview with Fox Business. "He's been a good public servant." Trump has criticised Powell for months because the chair has kept the short-term interest rate the Fed controls at 4.3 per cent this year, after cutting it three times last year. Powell says the Fed wants to see how the economy responds to Trump's sweeping tariffs on imports, which Powell says could push up inflation. Powell's caution has infuriated Trump, who has demanded the Fed cut borrowing costs to spur the economy and reduce the interest rates the federal government pays on its debt. Trump will likely be disappointed again soon. A key Fed committee is expected to keep rates where they are when it meets next week. The Fed has been renovating its Washington headquarters and a neighbouring building. With some of the construction occurring underground and as building materials have soared in price after inflation spiked in 2021 and 2022, the estimated cost has ballooned from $US1.9 billion ($A2.9 billion) to about $US2.5 billion ($A3.8 billion). When asked last week if the costly rebuilding could be grounds to fire Powell, Trump said: "I think it sort of is". "When you spend $US2.5 billion ($A3.8 billion) on, really, a renovation. I think it's really disgraceful," Trump said. President Donald Trump plans to step foot in the Federal Reserve as his allies scrutinise its expensive building renovations, a highly personal and confrontational escalation of his campaign to pressure the central bank to slash interest rates. Trump administration officials have used concerns about the building overhaul to cast doubt on Fed Chairman Jerome Powell's decision-making. They were scheduled to inspect the site on Thursday, and the White House announced late Wednesday that the president would also be visiting. The visit reflects Trump's disregard for the traditional independence of the Fed, which plays a foundational role in the American economy by setting monetary policy that is supposed to be free of political influence. While previous presidents have criticised the Fed's decisions, Trump's sustained campaign is an unusual and, his critics say, dangerous departure from the norm. He has called on Powell to resign, insulted him repeatedly and suggested he could be fired. More recently, Trump has said he has no plans to oust Powell, which could be illegal. Pushing Powell out also would send shockwaves through global markets, potentially having the opposite effect that Trump wants as he pushes for lower borrowing costs. Trump, a Republican, appointed Powell during his first term, and President Joe Biden, a Democrat, extended his tenure. Powell's term doesn't end until next May, and he's previously insisted that he will serve until then. Not everyone in Trump's administration agrees with the president's contention that Powell needs to resign. "There's nothing that tells me that he should step down right now," said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, whom Trump has floated as a potential replacement for Powell, in a recent interview with Fox Business. "He's been a good public servant." Trump has criticised Powell for months because the chair has kept the short-term interest rate the Fed controls at 4.3 per cent this year, after cutting it three times last year. Powell says the Fed wants to see how the economy responds to Trump's sweeping tariffs on imports, which Powell says could push up inflation. Powell's caution has infuriated Trump, who has demanded the Fed cut borrowing costs to spur the economy and reduce the interest rates the federal government pays on its debt. Trump will likely be disappointed again soon. A key Fed committee is expected to keep rates where they are when it meets next week. The Fed has been renovating its Washington headquarters and a neighbouring building. With some of the construction occurring underground and as building materials have soared in price after inflation spiked in 2021 and 2022, the estimated cost has ballooned from $US1.9 billion ($A2.9 billion) to about $US2.5 billion ($A3.8 billion). When asked last week if the costly rebuilding could be grounds to fire Powell, Trump said: "I think it sort of is". "When you spend $US2.5 billion ($A3.8 billion) on, really, a renovation. I think it's really disgraceful," Trump said. President Donald Trump plans to step foot in the Federal Reserve as his allies scrutinise its expensive building renovations, a highly personal and confrontational escalation of his campaign to pressure the central bank to slash interest rates. Trump administration officials have used concerns about the building overhaul to cast doubt on Fed Chairman Jerome Powell's decision-making. They were scheduled to inspect the site on Thursday, and the White House announced late Wednesday that the president would also be visiting. The visit reflects Trump's disregard for the traditional independence of the Fed, which plays a foundational role in the American economy by setting monetary policy that is supposed to be free of political influence. While previous presidents have criticised the Fed's decisions, Trump's sustained campaign is an unusual and, his critics say, dangerous departure from the norm. He has called on Powell to resign, insulted him repeatedly and suggested he could be fired. More recently, Trump has said he has no plans to oust Powell, which could be illegal. Pushing Powell out also would send shockwaves through global markets, potentially having the opposite effect that Trump wants as he pushes for lower borrowing costs. Trump, a Republican, appointed Powell during his first term, and President Joe Biden, a Democrat, extended his tenure. Powell's term doesn't end until next May, and he's previously insisted that he will serve until then. Not everyone in Trump's administration agrees with the president's contention that Powell needs to resign. "There's nothing that tells me that he should step down right now," said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, whom Trump has floated as a potential replacement for Powell, in a recent interview with Fox Business. "He's been a good public servant." Trump has criticised Powell for months because the chair has kept the short-term interest rate the Fed controls at 4.3 per cent this year, after cutting it three times last year. Powell says the Fed wants to see how the economy responds to Trump's sweeping tariffs on imports, which Powell says could push up inflation. Powell's caution has infuriated Trump, who has demanded the Fed cut borrowing costs to spur the economy and reduce the interest rates the federal government pays on its debt. Trump will likely be disappointed again soon. A key Fed committee is expected to keep rates where they are when it meets next week. The Fed has been renovating its Washington headquarters and a neighbouring building. With some of the construction occurring underground and as building materials have soared in price after inflation spiked in 2021 and 2022, the estimated cost has ballooned from $US1.9 billion ($A2.9 billion) to about $US2.5 billion ($A3.8 billion). When asked last week if the costly rebuilding could be grounds to fire Powell, Trump said: "I think it sort of is". "When you spend $US2.5 billion ($A3.8 billion) on, really, a renovation. I think it's really disgraceful," Trump said. President Donald Trump plans to step foot in the Federal Reserve as his allies scrutinise its expensive building renovations, a highly personal and confrontational escalation of his campaign to pressure the central bank to slash interest rates. Trump administration officials have used concerns about the building overhaul to cast doubt on Fed Chairman Jerome Powell's decision-making. They were scheduled to inspect the site on Thursday, and the White House announced late Wednesday that the president would also be visiting. The visit reflects Trump's disregard for the traditional independence of the Fed, which plays a foundational role in the American economy by setting monetary policy that is supposed to be free of political influence. While previous presidents have criticised the Fed's decisions, Trump's sustained campaign is an unusual and, his critics say, dangerous departure from the norm. He has called on Powell to resign, insulted him repeatedly and suggested he could be fired. More recently, Trump has said he has no plans to oust Powell, which could be illegal. Pushing Powell out also would send shockwaves through global markets, potentially having the opposite effect that Trump wants as he pushes for lower borrowing costs. Trump, a Republican, appointed Powell during his first term, and President Joe Biden, a Democrat, extended his tenure. Powell's term doesn't end until next May, and he's previously insisted that he will serve until then. Not everyone in Trump's administration agrees with the president's contention that Powell needs to resign. "There's nothing that tells me that he should step down right now," said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, whom Trump has floated as a potential replacement for Powell, in a recent interview with Fox Business. "He's been a good public servant." Trump has criticised Powell for months because the chair has kept the short-term interest rate the Fed controls at 4.3 per cent this year, after cutting it three times last year. Powell says the Fed wants to see how the economy responds to Trump's sweeping tariffs on imports, which Powell says could push up inflation. Powell's caution has infuriated Trump, who has demanded the Fed cut borrowing costs to spur the economy and reduce the interest rates the federal government pays on its debt. Trump will likely be disappointed again soon. A key Fed committee is expected to keep rates where they are when it meets next week. The Fed has been renovating its Washington headquarters and a neighbouring building. With some of the construction occurring underground and as building materials have soared in price after inflation spiked in 2021 and 2022, the estimated cost has ballooned from $US1.9 billion ($A2.9 billion) to about $US2.5 billion ($A3.8 billion). When asked last week if the costly rebuilding could be grounds to fire Powell, Trump said: "I think it sort of is". "When you spend $US2.5 billion ($A3.8 billion) on, really, a renovation. I think it's really disgraceful," Trump said.
News.com.au
40 minutes ago
- News.com.au
Justice Dept to meet Epstein accomplice Maxwell on Thursday
A top Department of Justice official was expected to meet on Thursday with Ghislaine Maxwell, the imprisoned accomplice of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as President Donald Trump struggles to quell fury over his handling of the notorious case. The former British socialite is serving a 20-year sentence after being convicted in 2021 of sex trafficking minors on behalf of Epstein, who died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial in his own pedophile trafficking case. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche -- Trump's former personal lawyer for his hush money trial and two federal criminal cases -- was to interview Maxwell at a federal courthouse in Tallahassee, Florida, multiple US media reported. "If Ghislane Maxwell has information about anyone who has committed crimes against victims, the FBI and the DOJ will hear what she has to say," Blanche said in a statement on Tuesday. "No one is above the law -- and no lead is off-limits." Maxwell, the daughter of the late British press baron Robert Maxwell, is the only former Epstein associate who was convicted in connection with his activities, which right-wing conspiracy theorists allege included trafficking young models for VIPs. But Joyce Vance, an ex-federal prosecutor who now teaches law at the University of Alabama, said any "'new' testimony (Maxwell) offers is inherently unreliable unless backed by evidence." "Trump could give Ghislaine Maxwell a pardon on his last day in office, in exchange for favorable testimony now," Vance said in a post on X. "She knows he's her only chance for release." The meeting with Maxwell marks another attempt by the Trump administration to defuse anger among the Republican president's own supporters over what they have long seen as a cover-up of sex crimes by Epstein, a wealthy financier with high-level connections. - 'A creep' - A Wall Street Journal report on Wednesday hiked up that pressure as it claimed Trump's name was among hundreds found during a review of DOJ documents on Epstein, even if there was no indication of wrongdoing. Trump spokesman Steven Cheung called the report "fake news" and said Trump had long ago broken with Epstein and "kicked him out of his (Florida) club for being a creep." The same newspaper claimed last week that Trump had penned a sexually suggestive letter to Epstein, a former friend, for his birthday in 2003. Trump has sued for at least $10 billion over the story. Many of the president's core supporters want more transparency on the Epstein case, and Trump -- who has long fanned conspiracy theories -- had promised to deliver that on retaking the White House in January. But he has since dismissed the controversy as a "hoax," and the DOJ and FBI released a memo this month claiming the so-called Epstein files did not contain evidence that would justify further investigation. Epstein had committed suicide while in jail, did not blackmail any prominent figures, and did not keep a "client list," according to the FBI-DOJ memo. - Diversion - Seeking to redirect public attention, the White House has promoted unfounded claims in recent days that former president Barack Obama led a "years-long coup" against Trump around his victorious 2016 election. The extraordinary narrative claims that Obama had ordered intelligence assessments to be manipulated to accuse Russia of election interference to help Trump. Yet it runs counter to four separate criminal, counterintelligence and watchdog probes between 2019 and 2023 -- each of them concluding that Russia did interfere and did, in various ways, help Trump. Epstein was found hanging dead in his New York prison cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on charges that he sexually exploited hundreds of victims at his homes in New York and Florida. Among those with connections to Epstein was Britain's Prince Andrew, who settled a US civil case in February 2022 brought by Virginia Giuffre, who claimed he sexually assaulted her when she was 17. Giuffre, who accused Epstein of using her as a sex slave, committed suicide at her home in Australia in April.
