Trump fumes as Epstein scandal dominates headlines, overshadows agenda

 https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/07/27/justice-epstein-memo-bondi-blanche-patel-trump/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=acq&utm_campaign=RH-ACQ&utm_content=dtpmonthly_202507028_RH_it&campaign_id=14378209

The White House and Justice Department’s response has been driven by no clear strategy other than asking the country to move on, people close to the situation told The Post.

Bongino and Patel were included in drafting, approving and advocating the release of the memo that detailed their decision not to release more from the files, according to emails reviewed by The Post and three people close to the president.

But since the backlash intensified, both have privately groused that if they were in charge, they would have released the Epstein files, redacting identifying information about victims, according to two people familiar with private conversations.

Bongino, a former Secret Service officer turned podcast host with a large right-wing following, was furious about the fallout over the memo and video release, the people said.