Chapter 1: What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
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Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Giles Snyder. Attorney General Pam Bondi has named a senior federal prosecutor to look into the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's ties with prominent Democrats, banks, and institutions. President Trump had publicly called for the investigation, as NPR's Ryan Lucas reports.
In a post on social media, President Trump accused Democrats of using the controversy over the Jeffrey Epstein files to deflect from their own actions in the recent government shutdown. He also called on Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate former President Bill Clinton and other prominent Democrats whom Trump alleges were involved with Epstein.
In her own social media post, Bondi said she's tapping the U.S. attorney in Manhattan, Jay Clayton, to take the lead on the matter. The moves come as Trump continues to face questions about his own ties to Epstein. particularly after House Democrats released a batch of emails this week that raised questions as to what Trump knew about Epstein's activities with underage girls.
Ryan Lucas, NPR News, Washington.
President Trump denies knowing anything about the Epstein emails released by House Democrats.
Jeffrey Epstein and I had a very bad relationship for many years. But he also saw strength because I was president. So he dictated a couple of memos to himself. Give me a break.
Trump speaking to reporters there aboard Air Force One on his way to Mar-a-Lago, where he's spending the weekend. On Truth Social last night, Trump publicly cut ties with Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene.
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Chapter 2: What investigation is being launched into Jeffrey Epstein's ties?
She was one of four House Republicans who joined a Democrat signing a petition to force a vote on the Epstein files. She's also been critical of Trump and other Republican leaders on several issues, including affordability.
The Israeli military has blocked hundreds of Israeli peace activists from reaching the occupied West Bank this weekend, where they plan to help Palestinians with the olive harvest. The military says it declared the village where they were trying to go a closed military zone. NPR's Lauren Frayer reports from Tel Aviv.
Several busloads of volunteers were trying to reach the Israeli-occupied Palestinian village of Boreen. Their plan was to act as human shields to protect Palestinian farmers from Israeli settler attacks, which have hit a record high, according to the U.N. This week, settlers ransacked the West Bank's biggest dairy farm and also torched a mosque.
We will not stay silent while terror is conducting against Palestinians.
Lior Amichai, director of Peace Now and advocacy groups, sent NPR this voice memo from a checkpoint where Israeli soldiers blocked their passage to Borin.
Despite this peaceful action, the military and the police did not want us to join the Palestinians and prevented us from reaching it.
The Israeli military tells NPR it did this for public safety after a week marred by an increase in violent incidents. Lauren Fryer, NPR News, Tel Aviv.
Rain is expected to fall through the weekend in Southern California. Flood watches have been posted and evacuation warnings are in effect in areas scarred by recent wildfires. City officials say areas affected by the January wildfires are highly susceptible to mud and debris flows. The city of Charlotte, North Carolina, preparing for a federal immigration crackdown.
The Trump administration has not publicly announced a move, but the Mecklenburg County Sheriff says he was told by federal officials that the operation could begin as soon as today. Charlotte is North Carolina's largest city and a Democratic stronghold in the state. YouTube television subscribers can now access Disney programming again after a two-week blackout prompted by contract disputes.
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