Trump administration orders release of Epstein court documents amid mounting pressure in US politics

Away from the main story on the blog today, Japan’s top tariff negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, plans to visit Washington next week for further talks with the United States. Tokyo aims to avoid President Donald Trump’s 25% tariff on imports from Japan by reaching a deal before the 1 August deadline. Akazawa stated, \"I intend to actively seek an agreement beneficial to both Japan and the United States while safeguarding our national interest.\" He hosted a US delegation in Osaka, led by treasury secretary Scott Bessent, during the US national day event at World Expo 2025. Akazawa did not discuss tariffs with Bessent.

Donald Trump has filed a lawsuit against Rupert Murdoch and two Wall Street Journal reporters for libel and slander over claims that he sent a lewd letter and sketch to Jeffrey Epstein. The lawsuit, seeking at least $10bn in damages, was filed in a federal court in Miami. Trump denied the allegations and called the letter fake.

In the aftermath of the Wall Street Journal's story, Trump's relationship with Murdoch appears strained. Despite previous interactions, Murdoch now faces legal action from Trump. The Journal published the Epstein allegations even after Trump and Murdoch were contacted to stop the article.

The justice department plans to release redacted grand jury transcripts in collaboration with New York prosecutors. The transcripts will show witness testimony and evidence presented during the secret grand jury proceedings related to the Epstein case.