Trump Officials Convened in Situation Room Over 10-Day Epstein Files Backlash
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 10
Trump Officials Convened in Situation Room Over 10-Day Epstein Files Backlash
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 10
Summary
July 17, 2025, brought Trump’s top aides into the White House Situation Room to contain a political crisis over the Epstein files, with JD Vance leading the meeting while Trump was absent.
A July 7 Justice Department-FBI memo said investigators found no Epstein “client list,” but the effort to quiet demands for disclosure instead triggered a loud backlash from Trump’s MAGA base.
The pressure was intensifying because The Wall Street Journal was preparing a damaging report on Trump’s relationship with Epstein, and aides were searching for a transparency gesture that could calm supporters.
Vance warned the issue was “a huge problem” and privately pushed to release all Justice Department Epstein material — even backing a congressional investigation — exposing divisions inside Trump’s coalition and White House.