Live updates: Trump administration news and the latest on the Epstein files

President Donald Trump has struggled to tamp down weeks of backlash over the administration’s decision not to release more documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation — a move that infuriated a vocal segment of the MAGA base and put the president at odds with some of his most ardent supporters.

The White House has dismissed the ongoing focus on the Epstein files, arguing that it’s distracting from the administration’s accomplishments and aiding Democrats’ efforts to damage the president.

Catch up here:

Trump reportedly named in Epstein documents: When Attorney General Pam Bondi briefed Trump in May on the Justice Department’s review of the documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case, she told him that his name appeared in the files, sources familiar with the discussion told CNN.

The sources familiar with the department’s review said the files appeared to include several unsubstantiated claims that the Justice Department found not to be credible, including those relating to Trump. It wasn’t clear in what context Trump’s name appeared in the files.

Inside the White House, officials were outraged that Bondi did not redact Trump’s name from publicly available materials contained in Epstein binders distributed to influencers in February, sources said. Her failure to protect the president during the episode has been a longstanding point of contention between the DOJ and the White House.

In the House of Representatives: In a surprise move, a House Oversight subcommittee voted yesterday to subpoena the Department of Justice for files related to Epstein. Wednesday’s vote amounted to a show of defiance by some House Republicans against Speaker Mike Johnson — who has attempted to tamp down on efforts to push the release of the documents.

The subpoena calls for the Epstein files in the Justice Department’s possession to be provided to Congress, but the names of the victims to be redacted. It also calls for communications between former Biden officials and the Justice Department related to the Epstein matter, in addition to depositions among some major figures, including Bill and Hillary Clinton and former FBI Director James Comey.

DOJ to meet with Epstein associate: Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche is expected to meet with Ghislaine Maxwell today, two people familiar with the meeting tell CNN. They will meet at the US attorney’s office in Tallahassee, according to a source.

The meeting comes after the Department of Justice said earlier this week it had reached out to Epstein’s former associate, with Blanche saying in a statement on Tuesday that if “Ghislane Maxwell has information about anyone who has committed crimes against victims, the FBI and the DOJ will hear what she has to say.”