Epstein Files Fuel Capitol Hill Divide, DOJ Interviews Maxwell

The Epstein files controversy continues to impact President Donald Trump's administration and Capitol Hill, with growing calls for the release of the documents. Trump has responded with a mix of deflection and attacks on political opponents and the media, including suing the Wall Street Journal over a letter bearing his name, while downplaying the significance of his name appearing multiple times in the files, as revealed in a May briefing from Attorney General Pam Bondi. Congressional action includes House Oversight Committee subpoenas for Department of Justice records and an upcoming deposition of Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's former girlfriend, who is serving a prison sentence for conspiracy to sexually abuse girls. Senate Democrats criticized Republicans for blocking efforts to link the release of Epstein materials to other legislation, and three House Republicans joined Democrats in pushing for transparency. Meanwhile, the DOJ continues its investigation, with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche interviewing Maxwell in Tallahassee. The White House has sought to shift focus away from the Epstein scandal by raising unrelated political issues, but public dissatisfaction with the handling of the files remains high.