How NC’s Virginia Foxx played a role in Epstein files debate
Good morning and welcome to Under the Dome. I’m Ronni Butts — welcome to Wednesday.
Here’s a look at the latest in North Carolina politics, starting with what’s happening in Washington, DC.
VIRGINIA FOXX AND THE EPSTEIN FILES
The possible existence of Jeffrey Epstein’s alleged “client list” has been a hot topic among Republicans and Democrats alike in D.C. Epstein was the famous financier who died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges.
The Trump administration hasn’t released any new information from the Epstein case, though that was one of President Donald Trump’s campaign promises. And in February, Attorney General Pam Bondi said she had Epstein files to review sitting on her desk.
But last week, the Department of Justice released a memo stating that no so-called client list exists, and that’s sparked a bipartisan uproar.
North Carolina U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx, a Republican, found herself trending online Monday as she led a congressional vote over whether the Trump administration should release Epstein case documentation. Ultimately, Foxx, who chairs the House Committee on Rules, joined Republicans in voting against an amendment to a bill that would have allowed the release of the files.
“I think most of us believe what’s appropriate will be released when it is time for the president to release it,” Foxx said in committee after the role call vote.
The debate grew louder on Tuesday, when Speaker Mike Johnson called for “transparency” and the release of the files, a rare departure from his usual public support of Trump.
McClatchy DC correspondent Danielle Battaglia breaks down Foxx’s role, and what this means for six years of conspiracy theories, investigations and discourse between Republicans and Democrats over the facts of the case.
— Sophia Bailly and Ronni Butts
TONY TATA CONFIRMED
Tony Tata has a long and polarizing history in North Carolina. Tata, a Republican, spent two years as superintendent of Wake County Public Schools until he was fired when Democrats took over the board. Then former Gov. Pat McCrory selected him as secretary of the N.C. Department of Transportation. He served until 2015.
In February, President Donald Trump nominated him — for the second time — to serve in the Department of Defense as Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness.
Danielle Battaglia covered his confirmation vote Tuesday, when the Senate voted 52-46 to approve his selection. Sens. Thom Tillis and Ted Budd, both Republicans, voted to confirm Tata.
Here’s more on Tata’s background and how much he’ll make annually in his new role.
NC ATTORNEY GENERAL AND SECRETARY OF STATE LAUNCH CRYPTO SCAM PREVENTION EFFORT
N.C. Attorney General Jeff Jackson and Secretary of State Elaine Marshall announced in a Tuesday press release that the pair is teaming up with state agencies and organizations to prevent bitcoin and cryptocurrency ATM scams.
Those agencies include the Department of Justice, AARP and United Way NC/NC 211.
Cryptocurrency-related financial loss is nearing $6 billion, Marshall said in the press release.
One AARP volunteer said in a statement that it’s “nearly impossible” to recover money once it’s taken the form of bitcoin.
Scams are becoming increasingly common at cryptocurrency ATMs across the state. Users are convinced to transfer money into cryptocurrency, which scammers obtain and exchange back into cash. Older adults are most vulnerable to these scams, according to the press release.
WHAT ELSE WE’RE WORKING ON
North Carolina-based employees of the National Institutes of Health are among thousands of federal health workers to lose their jobs, effective Monday, due to Trump administration cuts. The employees work for the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in Durham. Brian Gordon has the story about how many workers are affected.
North Carolina drivers now have up to two years to renew their licenses after they expire, but what does that mean for upcoming elections? The state requires voters to show an approved form of photo ID to cast a ballot. (There are few exceptions for voting with an expired license.) Here’s my story about how the Board of Elections is responding to the situation.
The UNC System announced last month that it is joining five Southern states to form a new accreditor for their public universities. Korie Dean reports in this week’s Dean’s List — our higher education newsletter — on new details about how the new organization will be structured, and the costs. (Want to subscribe to Dean’s List? Sign up here.)
— Today’s newsletter was by Sophia Bailly, Jessica Banov and Ronni Butts. Check your inbox tomorrow for more #ncpol.
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This story was originally published July 16, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
