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

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 …

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.

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.

House Democrats launch bid to subpoena Justice Department for Epstein files  —  House Democrats launched a bid Wednesday to subpoena President Donald Trump's Justice Department for files in the sex trafficking investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, goading GOP lawmakers to defy Trump and Republican leadership to support the action.

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.

Thune: Johnson will have to ‘deal’ with Epstein mess  —  Senate Majority Leader John Thune said Wednesday that Speaker Mike Johnson has to figure out a way forward on the Jeffrey Epstein controversy that's derailed House business until the fall.  “In some fashion, in some way …

Behind the Curtain: Losing by winning  —  President Trump, in terms of raw accomplishments, crushed his first six months in historic ways.  Massive tax cuts.  Record-low border crossings.  Surging tariff revenue.  Stunning air strikes in Iran.  Modest inflation.

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 …

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 …

Supreme Court Lets Trump Fire Consumer Product Safety Regulators  —  The court's order was the latest in a series of emergency rulings on the scope of the president's power over independent agencies.  —  The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed President Trump to fire the three Democratic members …

Winooski Superintendent Detained, Questioned by Border Officials  —  Superintendent Wilmer Chavarria, a U.S. citizen, was questioned for hours at a Houston airport as he returned from a visit to Nicaragua with his husband.  —  Winooski schools superintendent Wilmer Chavarria was detained …

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.

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 …

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.

A D.O.J. Whistleblower Speaks Out  —  In a complaint, a former Justice Department lawyer said his former colleagues were being forced to choose between the president's agenda and their ethical obligations as attorneys.  —  This transcript was created using speech recognition software.

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 …

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:

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. 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.

Judge orders Kilmar Abrego Garcia released from criminal custody … The decisions from U.S. District Judge Waverly Crenshaw Jr. in Tennessee and U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis in Maryland — issued in tandem on Wednesday — are a climactic moment in Abrego's four-month saga …

Angus King Says He Voted to Confirm Josh Divine Because Josh Hawley Asked Nicely  —  On Tuesday, the Republican-controlled Senate narrowly voted to confirm Josh Divine and Cristian Stevens to a pair of district court vacancies in Missouri.  Divine, a 35-year-old anti-choice activist …

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 …

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.