The Jeffrey Epstein scandal has shut down Congress, triggered a revolt among Republicans, and left President Donald Trump grasping for distractions .

TRUMP: “Crime in American Cities started to significantly rise when they went to CASHLESS BAIL. The WORST criminals are flooding our streets and endangering even our great law enforcement officers. It is a complete disaster, and must be ended, IMMEDIATELY!”

National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard leveled allegations against former President Barack Obama yesterday, claiming there is “irrefutable evidence” that he and his national security team manufactured a “false” intelligence analysis to show Russia helped Donald Trump win the 2016 election.

From the daily newsletter: the fracturing of the MAGA base. Plus: how Dartmouth College became the Ivy League’s Switzerland; and what “Eddington” tries to say about America.

Thus, by affirming the notion that incriminating “Epstein Files” exist, Democrats risk perpetuating the idea that both parties are toxically corrupt — a form of cynicism that Trump has long exploited to excuse his shameless graft and malfeasance.

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President Donald Trump said he was not contemplated granting clemency to Maxwell, an associate of deceased financier Jeffrey Epstein.

The White House is not denying that President Donald Trump's name appears in the files associated with financier Jeffrey Epstein, an administration official told Reuters on Wednesday. The official said the fact of Trump's name appearing in the files had been acknowledged in briefing binders that were shared with influencers.