The Trump administration has shifted its tone and message in response to persistent pressure about the Epstein records — especially from supporters who see the unreleased files as an unfulfilled promise.

The Department of Justice, led by Pam Bondi, on Friday released tapes of its two-day interview with Epstein’s procurer of underage girls, Ghislaine Maxwell—now 63 and serving her 20-year prison sentence in much more cushier digs thanks to her cooperation with the feds.

Controversy over the handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files had dogged the Trump administration for weeks. So as Congress went on their typical August recess, President Donald Trump’s team began discussing ways they could finally get ahead of the story.