I suspect more or less the same thing, but I can’t get a grip on why Trump would shy away from using this golden opportunity to destroy the very worst parts of the Deep State, after which he could take credit for cleaning out the Augean Stables. The zeal of his subordinates to go after the Epstein issue, then the sudden about face, suggests something changed. What?
Options: Trump learned that National Security interests really are in play; T has promised to protect Israel from dire fallout from exposure; or, T is convinced HE has exposure. Other possibilities = ?
One other possibility is that part of the files really are “fake” as President Trump said—”ringers”.
No doubt it would be a pain for the FBI to sort out the wheat from the chaff—but that could be a reasonable basis for delay not giving up in dismay.
Because I believe they (Beltway bureaucrats) would rather burn it all down and attack the Trumpean Deplorables with all the power, might, and resources of the deep state, than be held to account. I do think Trump thinks they will kill us or at best, destroy our lives before going down for their own abhorrent conduct.
The Beltway bureaucrats believe they are American Monarchs. Really.