Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• DOJ releases redacted Maxwell interview transcripts; Trump distancing from Epstein — Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche interviewed Ghislaine Maxwell, serving a 20-year sentence for involvement in Epstein's abuse, in July 2025. On August 22, the DOJ published redacted transcripts of these interviews. Maxwell's statements largely supported Trump's efforts to distance himself from Epstein, stating she never witnessed them as close friends and never saw Trump in "massage settings." The transcripts also contained extensive questioning about Bill and Hillary Clinton's connections to Epstein, though Maxwell provided limited incriminating information about either political figure.
• Proffer interview recording of Ghislaine Maxwell released by DOJ — Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, Trump's former criminal defense lawyer, conducted and released a proffer interview with convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell. In the recording, Maxwell stated Trump "was never inappropriate with anybody" and claimed she was innocent of all charges and victims were lying. Following the interview, Maxwell was transferred to a minimum-security federal prison camp and placed atop the presidential pardon list.
• Administration released Ghislaine Maxwell interview transcripts — The Trump administration released portions of transcripts from Todd Blanche's interview with Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell. In the transcripts, Maxwell praised Trump, stating he was "always very cordial and very kind" to her and expressing admiration for his presidency. Maxwell is currently serving a sentence for sex trafficking convictions and is reportedly seeking a pardon.

Supporting reports

• ICE seeks millions for customized vehicles without open bidding — ICE proposed spending more than $2.4 million on customized vehicles, including $2.25 million for 25 Chevrolet Tahoes from Hendrick Motorsports and approximately $174,000 for custom wrapping with gold-detailed "DEFEND THE HOMELAND" emblems. The agency selected the companies without an open bidding process, as revealed in government contracting documents made public this week.

Supporting reports

• DOJ delays full release of Epstein Files to House Oversight Committee — The Department of Justice announced it would provide selected Epstein Files documents incrementally over time rather than delivering the full set to the House Oversight Committee as scheduled. Ranking Member Robert Garcia (D-CA) stated the committee demanded complete compliance with its bipartisan subpoena and called partial, handpicked productions "wholly insufficient and potentially misleading." Garcia also disputed Chairman James Comer's characterization of former AG Bill Barr's deposition testimony regarding Trump's connection to Epstein.
• DOJ transmitted first batch of Epstein documents to House Oversight Committee — The Department of Justice handed over the initial batch of Epstein-related documents to the House Oversight Committee. The DOJ is employing a piecemeal approach to document transmission. The House Oversight Committee stated its intention to make records public after thorough review to redact victims' identities and child sexual abuse material, and to consult with DOJ to ensure released documents do not negatively impact ongoing criminal cases.
• House Oversight Committee received incomplete Epstein files from DOJ — The Department of Justice sent the House Oversight Committee its first tranche of Epstein-related files in response to a congressional subpoena on Friday. House Oversight Ranking Member Robert Garcia stated that only 3% of the 33,000 pages contained new information; the remainder were already in the public domain. Garcia alleged the White House, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Speaker Mike Johnson were engaged in a "massive cover-up" by withholding the full unredacted client list and information about those involved in Epstein's crimes, instead releasing documents in limited tranches.

Supporting reports

• House Oversight Committee heard testimony on Epstein investigation — The House Oversight Committee began hearing testimony from subpoenaed witnesses after Democrats used a parliamentary maneuver to compel Chair James Comer (R-KY) to hold the hearings. Former Attorney General William Barr, who was in office when Jeffrey Epstein died in custody in 2019, testified behind closed doors. The Department of Justice was scheduled to begin releasing documents from the Epstein investigation on Tuesday but missed that deadline, with officials stating they would begin the release the following day.

Supporting reports

• State Department website omitted mention of Alaska summit — As of midday Sunday, August 17, there was no mention of the Alaska meeting between Trump and Putin on the State Department's website, although the website had been updated since Friday to acknowledge Indonesia Independence Day and the Gabonese Republic National Day.