🔵us-politics-live

A Republican-led Senate committee abruptly canceled the confirmation hearing for Paul Ingrassia, President Donald Trump’s nominee for Special Counsel, as GOP support for him began to falter. The hearing was scheduled for yesterday. The cancellation was announced by the committee without a rescheduled date.

President Donald Trump announced Saturday that he is actively working to broker a ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia, as deadly border clashes between the two Southeast Asian nations entered their third day, resulting in at least 33 deaths and displacing over 168,000 people. The leaders of both countries have agreed to meet immediately to negotiate a ceasefire, according to a Reuters report.

A United States Secret Service agent is accused of attempting to smuggle his wife onto a Secret Service plane accompanying President Trump's security detail to Scotland. The incident occurred as the President traveled to Scotland for an upcoming meeting. Five Secret Service sources informed [@RCPolitics](https://twitter.com/RCPolitics) of the alleged breach.

President Donald Trump announced Saturday that leaders of Cambodia and Thailand have agreed to meet immediately to de-escalate three days of fighting along their shared border, as he works to broker peace.

The Republican Party has advanced legislation aimed at making child care more affordable and has co-sponsored a significant bipartisan housing bill, according to reports from Bloomberg and Punchbowl News, respectively. This news comes as a Wall Street Journal poll indicates the Democratic Party's image has eroded to its lowest point in 35 years, with voters viewing the GOP more favorably on key election issues.

Deputy Director Dan of the FBI stated that his tenure has involved repeated relaying of "shocking" discoveries related to public corruption and the political weaponization of law enforcement and intelligence operations. Dan expressed a commitment to stamping out these issues, emphasizing that investigations are being conducted "by the book and in accordance with the law" to uncover "THE TRUTH."

Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) have released a 315-page bipartisan housing bill, the "Road to Housing Act of 2025," ahead of an expected markup next week. The bill encompasses numerous ideas and reforms and has secured full buy-in from the leadership of the Senate Banking Committee.

President Clinton issued a statement regarding Jeffrey Epstein on July 26th. The details of the statement were not immediately available, but it was released following recent developments in the case.

Former President Donald Trump stated that Europe must "stop this horrible invasion" and criticized leaders who have not addressed it, also calling to "stop the windmills." Trump made these remarks in comments shared on X on July 26th.

President Donald Trump visited Scotland this week, drawing crowds reported by supporters as enthusiastic, while domestic political news included discussions surrounding Ghislaine Maxwell's deposition and potential legislative actions in Missouri.

Ghislaine Maxwell has been granted limited immunity to speak with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, according to reports.

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries stated this morning that it is "imperative that humanitarian aid be surged into Gaza immediately," highlighting the ongoing crisis. The current political landscape sees Donald Trump, elected president in 2016 and re-elected in 2024, navigating a period of intense focus on the upcoming 2028 presidential election cycle, with a recent poll showing J.D. Vance leading Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

The United States has designated the Venezuela-based Cartel de Los Soles for supporting terrorist organizations Tren de Aragua and the Sinaloa Cartel, citing its role in narcotics trafficking and violence. Separately, Ghislaine Maxwell has reportedly been granted limited immunity to speak with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, answering questions for approximately nine hours over two days, according to sources cited by ABC News.

House Democrats are requesting the birthday book belonging to Jeffrey Epstein's estate, which reportedly contains a poem and drawing from Donald Trump, in an effort to obtain information without using subpoena power, according to Axios.

President Donald Trump arrived in Turnberry, Scotland, today, where a large crowd had gathered to await his appearance. The specific timing of his arrival was not immediately detailed, but his presence in the location was confirmed.

President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet with Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, on Sunday in Scotland to discuss transatlantic trade relations, according to a statement from von der Leyen.

President Donald Trump reiterated the United States' "FULL COMMITMENT to NATO," stating that "Together, we are achieving PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH in Europe," according to a statement from the Department of Defense. Meanwhile, Fed Chair Jerome Powell has informed associates that he will not resign, despite anticipated escalated pressure from President Trump over the next ten months. Separately, when asked about a letter sent to Jeffrey Epstein, President Trump stated, "I don't even know what they're talking about. Now, somebody could have written a letter and used my name, and that’s happened a lot."

President Donald Trump met with Federal Reserve officials yesterday at their headquarters, calling Fed Chair Jay Powell "a very good man" after a "really good meeting." Trump also stated he is considering rebate checks for low-income Americans, though the mechanism for this without congressional approval is unclear.

The United States announced this morning the lifting of sanctions on allies of Myanmar's junta, following praise for President Donald Trump from a Myanmar general. The decision comes as the U.S. government aims to re-evaluate its approach to the Southeast Asian nation.

The New York Times confirmed on July 24th that President Donald Trump was listed as a contributor to Jeffrey Epstein's 50th birthday book, publishing a page from the book featuring a handwritten letter by Ghislaine Maxwell and a 1997 inscription from Trump to Epstein. Separately, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on July 25th that the United States "strongly rejects" France's plan to recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly, calling the decision "reckless" and a setback for peace.

Senator J.D. Vance stated on Friday, July 25th, that The Wall Street Journal published a "hit piece" without providing evidence, specifically a letter allegedly written by President Donald Trump to Jeffrey Epstein. Vance questioned the veracity of the book and the letter, calling the report "disgraceful" and asserting that the newspaper is acting as a "Democrat SuperPAC." The basis for these claims stems from a New York Times report published on July 24th detailing a book that includes alleged poems written by Trump to Epstein.

The United States strongly rejects France's plan to recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly, calling the move reckless and a setback for peace. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the decision "only serves Hamas propaganda" and is "a slap in the face to the victims of October 7th."

President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order aimed at restoring order to American cities and addressing vagrancy through civil commitment, and also visited the Federal Reserve to discuss economic matters, including interest rates and construction project costs. The executive order on cities targets individuals struggling with drug addiction and mental health conditions, proposing long-term institutional settings for treatment to restore public order. During his visit to the Federal Reserve, the President questioned Fed Chair Jerome Powell about a $3.1 billion construction project, with Powell stating the building was completed five years prior.

President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order on Thursday aimed at restoring order to American cities by addressing homelessness and a separate order to reform college sports by prohibiting third-party pay-for-play payments to athletes. Earlier in the day, Trump visited the Federal Reserve Building, where he directly questioned Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on economic figures.

President Donald J. Trump is scheduled to visit the Federal Reserve today, July 24th, 2025, at 2 PM EST to review a construction project valued at over $3.1 billion. The visit includes Fed Chair Jerome Powell, Senators Tim Scott and Thom Tillis, OMB Director Russ Vought, and other officials. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has stayed an 8th Circuit decision concerning the Voting Rights Act in a case involving a North Dakota tribe's challenge to the state's election map, with Justices Thomas, Alito, and Gorsuch dissenting.

President Donald Trump has decided to permit Chevron to resume oil pumping operations in Venezuela, reversing a previous decision by his administration that revoked the company's license earlier this year. The move, confirmed today, is expected to allow oil extraction to continue without direct tax or fee payments flowing to the Venezuelan regime.

The Trump administration has reported a significant decrease in migrant arrests in June, with the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency stating this morning that June migrant arrests dropped 15 percent from the prior record, attributing this to the "most secure border in history." Meanwhile, concerns have been raised regarding President Trump's new AI Executive Order, with one representative expressing alarm over "rapid AI expansion with little to no guardrails and breaks," and the potential for federal funds to be withheld from states that regulate AI.

President Donald Trump is scheduled to tour the Federal Reserve's $2.5 billion renovation today, July 24th, escalating his pressure campaign on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) plans to announce its reorganization plan this morning, which includes closing several major Washington D.C. buildings and relocating staff to five locations across the country.

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley announced today that he will run for the U.S. Senate in North Carolina, seeking to replace Senator Tillis. President Trump has endorsed Whatley's bid, according to a Politico report. Whatley will step down as RNC chairman to pursue the Senate seat.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) posted an image titled "American Progress - John Gast" on their official X account at approximately 10:00 AM UTC on July 24th. The accompanying text stated, "A Heritage to be proud of, a Homeland worth Defending." The post was made on the DHSgov X account.

Columbia University has agreed to pay $221 million to the U.S. government and over $20 million to Jewish employees to resolve claims of past discrimination, according to statements released yesterday. The university will also end Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies, shift to merit-based admissions, and protect student civil liberties, as part of a deal negotiated with the Trump administration.

President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit the Federal Reserve on Thursday, July 25th, months after publicly criticizing its chair, Jerome Powell.

Jeffrey Epstein's deposition testimony, where he invoked his Fifth, Sixth, and 14th Amendment rights when questioned about socializing with Donald Trump in the presence of females under 18, was released on Tuesday. Separately, Columbia University agreed to pay over $220 million to the federal government to resolve claims of past discrimination, a deal praised by Attorney General Pam Bondi as a "seismic shift" in combating antisemitism. Australia announced it would lift trade barriers on U.S. beef, following a similar agreement with Japan involving a $550 billion investment fund.

The Trump administration on Tuesday authorized $322 million in arms deals for Ukraine, including HAWK Phase III Missile systems and Bradley armored vehicles. Meanwhile, House Republicans voted 8-2 to subpoena Jeffrey Epstein's files, a move Democrats had been pushing for, according to reports. Separately, former Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard announced she has referred former President Barack Obama to the DOJ for criminal prosecution, alleging a "treasonous conspiracy" and a "coup" against the Trump administration.

The Trump administration's State Department green-lit $322 million in arms deals for Ukraine, including HAWK Phase III missile systems and Bradley armored vehicles, on July 23rd. This development occurred as new details emerged regarding President Donald Trump's name appearing in the Jeffrey Epstein files, with the Justice Department informing Trump of this in May, according to reports.

President Trump's administration is reviewing whether to allow federal government contracts for Elon Musk's xAI company, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt stating today that Trump "doesn't want" such contracts. This comes as the Justice Department informed Trump in May that his name appeared in Jeffrey Epstein's files, according to The Wall Street Journal. Separately, House Oversight Chair James Comer "issued a subpoena to Ghislaine Maxwell for a deposition" at the Federal Correctional Institution Tallahassee on August 11, 2025, with the Department of Justice cooperating to facilitate the deposition.

President Donald Trump announced America's AI Action Plan today, aiming to accelerate innovation, build AI and energy infrastructure, and lead in international AI development. The plan, shaped by Silicon Valley tech leaders, seeks to make building data centers easier and promote American AI technology exports, according to White House officials.

Former Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva announced today that he is running for LA County Sheriff again, citing "failed leadership" and "lawlessness" on the streets.

The United States and Indonesia reached a reciprocal trade agreement on Monday, July 22, 2024, which will eliminate 99% of tariffs on American industrial, tech, and agricultural products sold in Indonesia, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. Under the terms of the deal, American products will face a 0% tariff rate in Indonesia, while Indonesian products sold in the U.S. will face a 19% tariff rate. President Donald Trump announced the trade deal on Monday.

The House Oversight Committee today voted to subpoena Ghislaine Maxwell for a deposition regarding the Jeffrey Epstein case, a motion offered by Representative Tim Burchett (R-TN) and supported by both Republican and Democratic members, according to Representative Burchett and Daniella Micaela of Punchbowl News. This development comes as House Republicans grapple with what Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) described as an "Epstein-fueled crisis," with many members expressing frustration over the handling of information related to the case.

The House Oversight Committee today voted to subpoena Ghislaine Maxwell for a deposition, a motion introduced by Representative Tim Burchett and supported by Committee Chair James Comer and other Republicans, as well as Democrats on the panel. This development comes amid ongoing discussions within the House Republican Conference regarding the handling of information related to the Epstein case, with Speaker Mike Johnson indicating efforts to “expedite” the release of information.

AstraZeneca announced plans to invest $50 billion in the United States for manufacturing and research and development, a decision accelerated by President Donald Trump’s threat of 200% tariffs, according to AstraZeneca’s CEO in an interview with ABC News Live. This announcement was made yesterday, July 21, 2024.

The U.S. House Rules Committee adjourned on Monday evening, and is unlikely to reconvene this week, amidst growing calls for the release of additional information related to Jeffrey Epstein, as confirmed by House Majority Leader Steve Scalise. This adjournment will prevent the advancement of several legislative bills, including immigration reform, according to Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

José Macías, known as 'Fito', an Ecuadorian drug lord, pleaded not guilty yesterday after his extradition to New York, according to a report by the Associated Press's EECastillo. This development comes as several political and legal matters unfold in the United States.

President Donald Trump today endorsed Senator Mike Rounds for re-election in 2026, reversing a previous stance from 3.5 years ago where he stated he would "never endorse this jerk again," according to a tweet from metzgov. This endorsement follows Rounds' vote for a rescissions package last week after initial hesitation, as reported by burgessev, who noted Rounds received reassurances on emergency alert funding from the Trump administration. The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) also affirmed the endorsement, stating Senator Rounds is the "America First patriot South Dakota needs."

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), under President Donald Trump's administration, has requested comprehensive election information, including voter rolls and maintenance details, from Pennsylvania, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, and Wisconsin, according to a report from Rightangle News yesterday. This request encompasses complete voter rolls, data on moved or inactive voters, and details on how these rolls are maintained.

President Donald Trump has threatened to withhold support for a new stadium deal for Washington's NFL team unless it reinstates its former name, the Redskins, which is considered offensive to Native Americans, as reported by ESPN this morning.

Donald Trump's name appeared in a page from Jeffrey Epstein's 50th birthday book, which was reportedly compiled by Ghislaine Maxwell, according to a social media post yesterday by Johnathan Ford. The inclusion of Trump's name in this context was highlighted as breaking news.

Unknown hackers launched a global cyberattack exploiting a significant vulnerability in Microsoft’s SharePoint collaboration software in the past few days, breaching U.S. federal and state agencies, universities, energy companies, and an Asian telecommunications company, according to state officials and private researchers as reported by the Washington Post this morning.

On July 20th, General Michael Flynn, former National Security Advisor, posted a video on social media showing his return home after five years, stating he had feared extradition related to the Mueller investigation and that his family had survived without a father figure during that time. He called for the Department of Justice to drop the case against E.K. Imalptekin, asserting Imalptekin was crucified for not lying, and tagged President Donald Trump, JD Vance, and Kash Patel. This follows a broader discussion among Republican figures regarding the actions of past administrations.

A recent poll has revealed that 62% of young Americans hold a "favorable view" of socialism, according to a report from PamphletsY on Thursday, July 18th. This finding indicates a significant shift in political sentiment among the younger demographic in the United States.

Senator JD Vance (R-OH) reportedly met with Rupert Murdoch and Fox News executives in Montana, as reported by The Independent on July 19. The nature and specific agenda of the meeting were not disclosed, but it comes amid ongoing political discussions.

Justin Fulcher, a senior advisor to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, was removed from his position at the Department of Defense this week, according to CBS News and confirmed by Jennifer Jacobs. Fulcher, who initially joined the Pentagon as part of Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) team, is the latest senior staffer to be ousted following several months of personnel changes at the Pentagon since the "Signalgate" Scandal in March.

Andy Byron, CEO of Astronomer, resigned from his position today following a viral video incident at a Coldplay concert, as reported by BNO Desk. This development comes amid other notable events, including a significant defense exercise and corporate policy changes.

US President Donald Trump announced this morning that 10 Israeli captives held in Gaza are slated for imminent release. President Trump did not provide additional details regarding the release, according to a report from Al Jazeera.

The Justice Department moved yesterday to release grand jury information related to Jeffrey Epstein, indicating it will seek to redact not only victim information but also other "personal identifying information," as stated in a court filing reported by Kyle Cheney.

A federal judge on Thursday blocked the Trump administration from enforcing an executive order that punished individuals working with the International Criminal Court (ICC), ruling it an unconstitutional infringement on free speech, as reported by Kyle Cheney. The ruling states that the order cannot be applied to those cooperating with the ICC.

Ten American citizens, including former Navy SEAL Wilbert Joseph Castaneda, were released from Venezuelan custody today, July 18, in a prisoner swap involving the United States, El Salvador, and Venezuela. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the release, stating the Americans are "on their way to freedom," crediting President Donald Trump's leadership and the assistance of El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele.

The House of Representatives on Wednesday, July 17, passed an $831.5 billion appropriations bill for the Defense Department and intelligence agencies for fiscal year 2026, with a vote of 221-209. Five Democrats voted in favor of the bill, while three Republicans voted against it, marking the second of 12 appropriations bills approved by the House for the upcoming fiscal year, as reported by Craig Caplan.

The U.S. House of Representatives yesterday defeated an amendment, 6-421, proposed by Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene to the 2026 defense spending bill that sought to cut $500 million from the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative, a program aimed at deterring potential aggression from China, according to a report by Craig Caplan.

On Thursday night, a key House committee debated dueling measures regarding the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, while the Senate narrowly approved President Donald Trump's modest spending cuts package. Separately, President Trump denied writing a letter to Epstein that reportedly included an outline of a naked woman, and ordered Attorney General Pam Bondi to seek the release of "pertinent" records from the Epstein grand jury, as reported by NBC News.

Attorney General Pam Bondi announced this morning, July 18th, that the Department of Justice is prepared to move to court tomorrow, July 19th, to unseal Jeffrey Epstein's grand jury transcripts. This development follows a Wall Street Journal report yesterday, July 17th, alleging that Donald Trump sent a “bawdy” birthday letter to Epstein for his 50th birthday, a claim President Trump and his press secretary have vehemently denied, asserting the letter is “fake.”

President Donald Trump was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency on Thursday, July 17, following medical testing for deep bruises on his hand and swollen legs, as announced by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. While generally not considered serious, the condition, common in older adults, can cause discomfort and is treatable with medication, leg elevation, or minor procedures.

President Donald Trump was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency on Wednesday, July 17, after experiencing leg swelling, as announced by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. Leavitt attributed previous bruising and hand swelling to excessive handshaking and a regular aspirin regimen. Separately, Trump will not recommend appointing a special prosecutor for the Jeffrey Epstein case but has called on Pam Bondi, the Department of Justice, and the FBI to present any credible evidence related to Epstein's crimes, according to Leavitt.

The U.S. Department of State and Treasury Department today announced sanctions against Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, leader of the Tren de Aragua (TdA) criminal organization, and five other key lieutenants, offering a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to Guerrero Flores's arrest. This action freezes all U.S.-linked assets of those sanctioned and makes it a crime to conduct business with them, following the earlier designation of Tren de Aragua as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.