DoJ watchdog will investigate release of Epstein files – US politics live | US news
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An internal Pentagon email outlines options for punishing NATO allies the United States believes do not support U.S. operations in the war with Iran, a U.S. official told Reuters; this included removing Spain from the alliance and reviewing the US position on Britain’s claim to the Falkland Islands.
The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe the email, said the policy options were detailed in a memo expressing frustration over some allies’ perceived reluctance or refusal to grant the United States access, basing and overflight rights (known as ABOs) for the Iran war.
The email stated that the ASG was “absolutely fundamental to NATO,” according to the official. Options are floating around at high levels in the Pentagon, the official added.
One of the options in the email envisages removing “difficult” countries from important or prestigious positions in NATO, the official said.
A majority of Americans blame Donald Trump for the increase in gas prices that has put pressure on the Republican party ahead of November’s midterm congressional elections, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll.
Nearly 77 percent of registered voters in the poll, which ended earlier this week, said Trump bears at least reasonable responsibility for the recent rise in gas prices resulting from his decision to launch a war on Iran along with U.S. ally Israel.
This view was widely shared across the political spectrum; 55% of Republican voters, 82% of independents and 95% of Democrats blame the high costs on the president.
About 58 percent of voters, including one in five Republicans and two-thirds of independents, said they would be less likely to support candidates in the November midterm elections who support Trump’s approach to conflict with Iran.
Release of Epstein files to be investigated by DOJ watchdog
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The Justice Department’s internal watchdog will examine the agency’s handling of records related to financier Jeffrey Epstein, including whether all relevant documents were disclosed and properly redacted.
William Blier, acting director of the department’s Office of Inspector General, said the investigation will examine compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, passed by Congress in November, which requires records related to Epstein to be made public, with limited exceptions.
He said:
Our primary aim is to evaluate the processes of identification, arrangement and publication of records held by the Ministry of Justice in accordance with the Law.
Blier added that the office will also examine “DOJ’s processes for addressing post-publication concerns.”
President Donald Trump, who had previously dismissed the Epstein-related controversy as a “hoax” driven by Democrats, initially opposed the measure, then supported it and signed it under pressure from fellow Republicans.
The Justice Department has released nearly 3.5 million pages of documents related to the Epstein investigations, but the disclosure comes more than a month after the legal deadline for release.
Policy It was reported on Thursday:
Alleged victims of Epstein’s sexual abuse have complained that the Justice Department repeatedly failed to redact photos and other details that might have identified them and that prosecutors failed to make public all the information they had about Epstein associates who allegedly knew of or conspired with his crimes but were never charged.
Lawmakers made similar complaints and said they suspected the Ministry of Justice had not released some relevant documents.
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