A look at what happened in the US government this week
A look at what happened in the US government this week
*** lawyer for convicted Jeffrey Epstein accomplice Elaine Maxwell arrived at the federal courthouse in Tallahassee, Florida this morning. Sources tell CNN he and Maxwell are meeting with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanch, the current second in command at the Justice Department, and former criminal defense attorney for President Donald Trump. This is extremely unusual. You never have the #2 person in the Department of Justice go and interview anybody. Maxwell is serving *** 20 year federal. Sentence for carrying out *** years-long scheme with Epstein to groom and sexually abuse underage girls. In May, Attorney General Pam Bondi briefed Trump that his name was in the so-called Epstein files. Sources familiar with the conversation tell CNN it's *** claim Trump denies. Trump, who was once known to be good friends with Epstein, has never been charged with any wrongdoing related to Epstein's activities. Epstein died in jail awaiting trial in 2019. His death ruled *** suicide, leaving. Maxwell is likely the only person who knows the scope of his crimes. There's no way you could ever believe Maxwell. She knows that the only way she'll ever see the light of day and get out of that 20 year sentence is to get *** pardon. As for any possible deal between Maxwell and the DOJ, they have to be convinced that she has come fully clean on everybody and everything. She's shown no indication of any willingness to do that at any point. I'm Laura Aguirre reporting.
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A look at what happened in the US government this week
Fallout from the Trump administration's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files continued. President Donald Trump announced new trade deals. Trump signed his "AI Action Plan." Multiple federal judges pushed back against Trump's birthright citizenship order. Trump and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell appeared together publicly amid their contentious relationship.Here are the top stories involving the U.S. government this past week.Epstein files falloutA judge rejected a Trump administration request to unseal transcripts from grand jury investigations of Jeffrey Epstein years ago in Florida.Attorney General Pam Bondi briefed President Donald Trump in May that his name appeared in the files, according to multiple sources.Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche met Thursday with Ghislaine Maxwell, the imprisoned former girlfriend of Epstein.A House subcommittee on Wednesday voted to subpoena the Department of Justice for files in the sex trafficking investigation into Epstein.Speaker Mike Johnson said he does not plan to allow votes on any measures related to the Jeffrey Epstein case in the House until September, when the chamber returns from recess.Here is an updated timeline of the criminal cases against Epstein and Maxwell.Video below: Bondi facing Democratic calls to testify following report she told Trump he was in Epstein filesTrump's AI plan Trump signed three executive orders on artificial intelligence at a White House event Wednesday.The orders focus on deregulating the development of AI and countering so-called "woke AI."Critics warn that there are some potential risks to children under Trump's new AI policy.Trump's AI plan calls for massive data centers. Here's how it may affect energy in the U.S.Video below: The risks to children under President Trump's new AI policyIn other newsA federal judge on Friday blocked the Trump administration from ending birthright citizenship for the children of parents who are in the U.S. illegally, issuing the third court ruling blocking the birthright order nationwide since a key Supreme Court decision in June.Trump publicly scorned Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Thursday for the cost of an extensive building renovation as the two officials began a tour of the unfinished project. See the full exchange here. Trump signed a bill to cancel about $9 billion that had been approved for public broadcasting and foreign aid.The U.S. government is building a 5,000-person immigrant detention camp in west Texas.Trump announced trade deals this week with Japan, the Philippines and Indonesia.U.S. automakers say Trump's 15% tariff deal with Japan puts them at a disadvantage.Here's what Trump's trade deal with Japan means for your wallet.The Trump administration sued New York City over "sanctuary city" policies, continuing its crackdown.Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff said Thursday the U.S. is cutting short Gaza ceasefire talks because Hamas "shows a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire."Video below: World Health Organization warns of "mass starvation" in Gaza
Fallout from the Trump administration's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files continued. President Donald Trump announced new trade deals. Trump signed his "AI Action Plan." Multiple federal judges pushed back against Trump's birthright citizenship order. Trump and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell appeared together publicly amid their contentious relationship.
Here are the top stories involving the U.S. government this past week.
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Epstein files fallout
- A judge rejected a Trump administration request to unseal transcripts from grand jury investigations of Jeffrey Epstein years ago in Florida.
- Attorney General Pam Bondi briefed President Donald Trump in May that his name appeared in the files, according to multiple sources.
- Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche met Thursday with Ghislaine Maxwell, the imprisoned former girlfriend of Epstein.
- A House subcommittee on Wednesday voted to subpoena the Department of Justice for files in the sex trafficking investigation into Epstein.
- Speaker Mike Johnson said he does not plan to allow votes on any measures related to the Jeffrey Epstein case in the House until September, when the chamber returns from recess.
- Here is an updated timeline of the criminal cases against Epstein and Maxwell.
Video below: Bondi facing Democratic calls to testify following report she told Trump he was in Epstein files
Trump's AI plan
- Trump signed three executive orders on artificial intelligence at a White House event Wednesday.
- The orders focus on deregulating the development of AI and countering so-called "woke AI."
- Critics warn that there are some potential risks to children under Trump's new AI policy.
- Trump's AI plan calls for massive data centers. Here's how it may affect energy in the U.S.
Video below: The risks to children under President Trump's new AI policy
In other news
- A federal judge on Friday blocked the Trump administration from ending birthright citizenship for the children of parents who are in the U.S. illegally, issuing the third court ruling blocking the birthright order nationwide since a key Supreme Court decision in June.
- Trump publicly scorned Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Thursday for the cost of an extensive building renovation as the two officials began a tour of the unfinished project. See the full exchange here.
- Trump signed a bill to cancel about $9 billion that had been approved for public broadcasting and foreign aid.
- The U.S. government is building a 5,000-person immigrant detention camp in west Texas.
- Trump announced trade deals this week with Japan, the Philippines and Indonesia.
- U.S. automakers say Trump's 15% tariff deal with Japan puts them at a disadvantage.
- Here's what Trump's trade deal with Japan means for your wallet.
- The Trump administration sued New York City over "sanctuary city" policies, continuing its crackdown.
- Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff said Thursday the U.S. is cutting short Gaza ceasefire talks because Hamas "shows a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire."
Video below: World Health Organization warns of "mass starvation" in Gaza