White House defends handling of Epstein files, chides press for coverage

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the Trump administration’s handling of the case of deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, saying “some of the most trusted voices in the Republican Party movement” reviewed files before the Justice Department decided not to release them publicly. Leavitt also said that President Donald Trump does not support appointing a special prosecutor in the case, and she chided the press for covering the controversy “like it’s the biggest story that the American people care about.” On Capitol Hill, the Republican-led House is scheduled to vote Thursday on legislation requested by Trump to cancel $9 billion in foreign aid and federal funding for public broadcasting. The Senate narrowly approved the measure early Thursday. The legislation faces a Friday deadline for final passage.