Conspiracy theories and outrage have swirled around Epstein since 2006, when the financier first faced criminal charges related to sexual exploitation of underage girls. Fascination with the case reached new heights after Attorney General Pam Bondi suggested she had an Epstein “client list” on her desk but then didn't release documents with any new information.

There’s no pretending otherwise: disgraced and deceased financier Jeffrey Epstein has hijacked Washington. Speaker Mike Johnson on Tuesday announced he was starting the August recess a few days early to avoid the chamber having to vote on whether Congress should force the Justice Department to publish everything it has on Epstein,

President Trump has tried to attack, deflect and deny his way past the Jeffrey Epstein saga. He’s had less success than usual.

Trump had sought the release of documents after days of sustained pressure from some of his most loyal supporters.