Trump deflects from questions about Epstein probe with accusations about Obama
The Justice Department on Tuesday said it is in touch with an attorney for Ghislaine Maxwell, a longtime associate of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, to try to arrange a meeting with her in the coming days. President Trump said he thought the development “sounds appropriate,” though he also claimed to know nothing about it.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the plan on social media, saying that the department is seeking any information from Maxwell — who is serving time for sex trafficking — as part of its quest to uncover “all credible evidence” in the Epstein case.
Trump, who was once friends with Epstein, is facing a backlash from supporters who want more information released about the disgraced financier’s crimes and his 2019 death by suicide in prison.
Trump has dismissed the uproar as a politically driven “witch hunt” distracting from his agenda. Asked about the newest development on Tuesday, he told reporters “I don’t really follow that too much.”
His comments to reporters came while he was meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos of the Philippines on trade issues. After the meeting, Trump announced on social media that importers of goods from the Philippines will face a 19% tariff, while U.S. exports to the country will face no tariffs.
Trump spent most of his time in the Oval Office question-and-answer session railing against former President Barack Obama and other Democratic figures. Trump’s spy chief Tulsi Gabbard recently published materials that she claims show that Obama officials “manufactured and politicized intelligence” about Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.
“It’s the most unbelievable thing I think I’ve ever read. So you ought to take a look at that and stop talking about nonsense,” Trump told reporters — the “nonsense” referring to the Epstein controversy.
Trump said it was “time to go after people” in connection to his allegations about the 2016 election.
Republicans in Congress have also been grappling with the Epstein issue. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., announced Tuesday that the House would finish work a day early, canceling votes scheduled for later in the week.
That means members will leave town for an annual August recess without a fresh confrontation over Epstein. The schedule change was announced after repeated clashes among Republicans about the files, including a deadlock in the powerful House Rules committee over an effort by Democrats to force additional votes on the Epstein matter.
NPR Congressional Correspondent Claudia Grisales contributed to this report.
Massacres in eastern Congo cast doubt on U.S. mediated peace deal
Rwanda backed M23 rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo killed hundreds of villagers in July, according to Human Rights Watch, raising doubts about Trump backed peace process.
One civilian injured in crash with D.C. National Guard military vehicle
The military vehicle, which is designed to withstand explosive attacks, collided with a "civilian vehicle" just after 6 a.m. on Wednesday in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington, D.C.
Dependent on foreign sales, U.S. wheat farmers hoping longtime partners stick with them
As President Trump's tariffs kick in, American companies that rely on imports are worried about rising costs and passing them onto consumers. But some U.S. exporters are worried too.
On ‘Se Amaba Así,’ Buscabulla fight to keep romance alive
The Puerto Rican duo test the limits of their vulnerability on their sophomore album, plus they perform live in the studio.
The legacy of civil rights martyr Jonathan Daniels
Wednesday marks the 60th anniversary of Daniels’ killing at the hands of an Alabama county official. Today, the Episcopal Church venerates Daniels as a saint and martyr. For the anniversary, Episcopalians from around the country gathered for an annual pilgrimage to the site of his death in Hayneville.
‘KPop Demon Hunters’ and the band Babymetal hit fresh milestones on the pop charts
The KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack just placed three songs in the top 10 of the Hot 100 charts simultaneously — a feat not many movie soundtracks have accomplished.
