Justice Department Told Trump in May That His Name Is Among Many in the Epstein Files  —  Bondi also told president at the meeting that Justice decided to not release more Jeffrey Epstein documents because of the presence of child pornography and the need to protect victims

‘POTUS is clearly furious’: White House is frustrated by all-consuming Epstein coverage … “POTUS is clearly furious,” said a person close to the White House, who, like others in this story, was granted anonymity to discuss the mood inside the West Wing.  “It's the first time I've seen them sort of paralyzed.”

Trump's Epstein Fiasco Takes Darker Turn as Dem Senator Drops New Bomb  —  A few days ago, as the Jeffrey Epstein scandal gripped Washington, Senator Ron Wyden offered a striking revelation in an interview with The New York Times.  The Oregon Democrat said that his investigators had discovered …

US Supreme Court lets Trump remove consumer product safety commissioners for now  —  The U.S. Supreme Court let Republican President Donald Trump on Wednesday remove three Democratic members of the government's top consumer product safety watchdog, boosting his power over federal agencies set …

Trump team hurls accusations at Obama over 2016 election interference … - Back in 2020, the Republican-led Senate Intelligence Committee — including now-Secretary of State Marco Rubio — concluded that Russia interfered in the 2016 election to help Trump win but did not hack election infrastructure to manipulate cast ballots.

I Watched It Happen in Hungary.  Now It's Happening Here.  —  As the most recent U.S. ambassador to Viktor Orban's Hungary, I'm often asked if the Trump administration's tactics and policies feel familiar.  The short answer is yes.  But the more important — and unsettling — question is this …

Investigation of Harvard University Participation in the Exchange Visitor Program  —  The U.S. Department of State is opening an investigation into Harvard University's continued eligibility as a sponsor for the Exchange Visitor Program.  —  All sponsors participating in this program …

Judge Denies Request to Unseal Epstein Grand Jury Transcripts in Florida  —  The president and his subordinates, including Attorney General Pam Bondi, have come under enormous pressure to release further details about the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Hegseth Signal messages came from email classified ‘SECRET,’ watchdog told  —  The revelation contradicts the Trump administration's longstanding claims that no classified information was shared by the defense secretary's account during the “Signalgate” scandal.

JD Vance Claims One of Our Worst Traditions as His Own  —  More than most recent vice presidents, JD Vance seems to be locked out of the room where it happens.  —  Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff, is by most accounts the president's point person on mass deportation and immigration enforcement.

11 tips for becoming a columnist  —  Here's my advice for handling the awesome responsibility of this job.  —  So you wanna be a columnist, eh?  —  Young aspiring journalists and wizened elders often ask how I scored this sweet gig.  Truth is, I don't entirely know.

Scoop: Cooper plans to enter North Carolina Senate race next week  —  Former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (D) is preparing to launch his Senate campaign next week, multiple sources told Axios. … - Cooper, a popular former governor, will instantly become the Democratic favorite to challenge …

U.S. deportees, freed from Salvadoran prison, describe ‘horror movie’  —  Three Venezuelans, released last week from the Terrorism Confinement Center, said they were repeatedly beaten and denied access to lawyers.  —  just now  —  Julio González Jr. had agreed to be deported to Venezuela.

Skydance Tells FCC It Will Create CBS News Ombudsman, Eliminate DEI at Paramount  —  The company said it would commit to a “comprehensive review” post-transaction. … Skydance has told the Federal Communications Commission that once its acquisition of Paramount Global is complete …

‘You Could Throw Out the Results of All These Papers’  —  David Geier has previously used the CDC's vaccine-safety database to publish research with glaring flaws.  Now he seems to have his hands on the data once again.  —  Mark and David Geier were a father-and-son team of researchers …

About That Japan Deal  —  So the Trump administration has triumphantly announced a trade deal with Japan, and I guess I should post something about it, even though my regular morning post — on a completely different topic — is already up.  —  There are three main things you should take away from this deal:

U.S., Europe closing in on trade deal with 15% tariffs, reports say  —  The U.S. is reportedly closing in on a trade agreement that would impose 15% tariffs on goods from the European Union. … - President Trump has lambasted Europe for what he sees as unfair trade policies, making a deal tough to hash out.

Macrons file US lawsuit over claims France's first lady was born male  —  Case against rightwing influencer Candace Owens is a rare defamation suit from a serving world leader  —  Kaye Wiggins in New York, Leila Abboud in Paris and Lauren Fedor in Washington

U.S. Quietly Drafts Plan to End Program That Saved Millions From AIDS  —  PEPFAR, the campaign to end H.I.V. globally, would morph into an effort to detect disease outbreaks and sell American products, according to documents obtained by The Times.  —  The federal program to combat H.I.V …

Pete Hegseth hit by deeply embarrassing allegations as leaked letter calling for his removal rips through the Pentagon  —  An effort is under way among some Pentagon officials to denounce Pete Hegseth as unfit to serve as Defense Secretary, DailyMail.com can reveal.

Why are Ukrainians mad at Zelenskyy?  —  POLITICO answers all your questions on the president's anti-corruption legislation that has spooked Ukrainians and upset Kyiv's staunchest allies.  —  EXPLAINER  —  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday approved a law …

Russ Vought bills CFPB $5M for his security detail  —  The director of the White House's budget office wears multiple hats, including the temporary head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.  —  The Office of Management and Budget is now billing CFPB $4.7 million for Russ Vought's security detail …

White House indicates Trump doesn't support federal contracts for Musk's AI company  —  White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Wednesday she does not think President Trump supports federal agencies contracting with Elon Musk's artificial intelligence (AI) company.  —  “I don't think so, no,” Leavitt said.

GOP Senator, 73, Freezes During Fox Business Interview  —  GERONTOCRACY  —  Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana had a frightening freeze-up on Tuesday afternoon.  —  Another GOP member of Congress has had what appears to be a health scare, with septuagenarian Senator John Kennedy freezing during a Fox Business interview on Tuesday.

Photos: Here Are the Piles of Used Bedding and Children's Play Sets Left Near DOGE's Old Offices  —  Elon Musk's DOGE minions have largely moved out of the General Services Administration.  A dystopian scene of bedding and discarded kids' toys remains.  —  Elon Musk's associates …

Silicon Valley AI Startups Are Embracing China's Controversial ‘996’ Work Schedule  —  In an industry once known for cushy perks, some founders are now asking staff to commit to a 72-hour weekly schedule.  You're either in or you're out.  —  Would you like to work nearly double the standard 40-hour week?

Kari Lake moves to consolidate her power to dismantle Voice of America  —  The Arizonan, an ally of President Trump, has managed to lock out her nominal boss and is trying to dispatch VOA's director to North Carolina.  —  Kari Lake, the Arizona Republican politician tasked with overseeing …