Trump lowers tariffs for South Korea; Kamala Harris won't run for governor of California
NBC News Clone summarizes the latest on: Trump Bove Hegseth Epstein Maxwell Giuffre Immigration Live Updates Rcna221293 - Politics and Government | NBC News Clone. This article is rewritten and presented in a simplified tone for a better reader experience.
The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady today despite pressure from Trump to cut them.
Highlights from July 30, 2025...
- KAMALA HARRIS: The former vice president said she would not run for governor of California, ending months of speculation following the 2024 presidential race. Harris did not address a possible 2028 presidential campaign.
- TARIFFS: President Donald Trump announced a 15% tariff on South Korea today. Earlier, he posted on social media that his administration will place a 25% tariff, "plus a penalty," on imports from India starting Friday.
- TRADE DEADLINE: Trump also said he will not extend the end-of-week deadline countries face to avoid U.S. tariffs by reaching trade deals with his administration.
- FED RATE: The Federal Reserve announced this afternoon that it will hold interest rates steady, despite Trump's pressure on Fed Chair Jerome Powell to cut them.
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In notable shift, more than half Senate Democratic Caucus votes to block arms sales to Israel
Two failed votes tonight in the Senate to block offensive arm sales to Israel in response to the killings of civilians in Gaza and the ongoing humanitarian crisis there marked a notable shift in the Democratic caucus on the issue of supporting the Israeli military campaign, with 12 additional Senate Democrats voting in support of a resolution similar to one they had not backed in April.
The Senate voted on two resolutions, one to block the sale of tens of thousands of fully automatic assault rifles and one to bar an arms sale of $675.7 million.
A measure that would bar the sale of tens of thousands of fully automatic assault rifles was voted down, 27-70. The other measure, aimed at blocking an arms sale of $675.7 million also failed in a 24-73 vote. The vote tallies indicate that over half the Senate Democratic Caucus voted in support of the measures.
Notably, among those voting to approve the first resolution were top Democrats on the Foreign Relations Committee, Jeanne Shaheen, of New Hamshire, and the Armed Services Committee, Jack Reed, of Rhode Island.
Reed rejected the second resolution.
Shaheen said in a statement that she continues to support Israel's existence and safety, “but I cannot in good conscience vote in support of weapons until the human anguish in Gaza comes to an end.”
Family of Epstein abuse survivor urges Trump not to pardon Ghislaine Maxwell: ‘A monster who deserves to rot in prison’
The family of a key survivor of Jeffrey Epstein’s sexual abuse is urging Trump not to consider clemency for the late financier’s co-conspirator and confidant, Ghislaine Maxwell.
The family of Virginia Roberts Giuffre, a sexual abuse advocate who died by suicide in April, made their plea to Trump in a public statement today after he told reporters that Epstein, a convicted sex offender, “stole” Giuffre from his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, where she worked as a locker-room attendant at age 16 during the summer of 2000.
Giuffre’s family called by Trump’s admission “shocking” and questioned whether he was aware of Epstein’s and Maxwell’s actions.
“It was shocking to hear President Trump invoke our sister and say that he was aware that Virginia had been ‘stolen’ from Mar-a-Lago. It makes us ask if he was aware of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell’s criminal actions, especially given his statement two years later that his good friend Jeffrey ‘likes women on the younger side . . . no doubt about it.’ We and the public are asking for answers; survivors deserve this,” the family added.
Ohio man charged with threatening to kill Rep. Jim Jordan over Medicaid cuts, a House Republican aide says
Federal authorities this week arrested and charged an Ohio man in connection with threats to kill Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, over potential cuts to Medicaid, a House Republican aide confirmed to NBC News.
The suspect, whom the FBI identified as Jeffrey Dorsey, 60, of Dayton, left a nearly 90-second expletive-laden voicemail on the main line of a lawmaker’s Washington, D.C., office last month, according to a criminal complaint filed in federal court yesterday. Court documents did not name the member of Congress, but a House Republican aide confirmed it was Jordan.
Jordan’s office declined to comment.
“If you vote to take my f------ Medicaid away, I’m gonna cut your f------ head off,” the caller said, according to a transcript of a message from the FBI.
Senate Majority Whip Barrasso blocks Democratic bill to force release of Epstein Files
Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., made another attempt tonight to pass legislation to force the release of materials tied to the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, which was again blocked by Republicans.
"There’s only one right answer, complete and total disclosure of everything, all the details, while protecting the names of the victims," Merkley said on the Senate floor as he sought to pass the The Epstein Files Transparency Act.
"The level of power shouldn’t matter. Their net worth shouldn’t matter. Equal justice under law is the vision of our nation. And if an individual is a pedophile, if an individual has raped a young girl, then they need to be held accountable. Let the chips fall where they may," he added.
The bill would require that Attorney General Pam Bondi to "make publicly available in a searchable and downloadable format all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials in the possession of the Department of Justice” related to Epstein, his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, and flight logs, among other things.
Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, R-Wyo., objected, saying Democrats were slowing the Senate's confirmation of Trump's nominees.
"For years, Democrats have ignored this issue, now they can’t stop talking about it. Maybe it’s because Democrats are trying to distract from their extreme, unprecedented obstruction here in the United States Senate," Barrasso said.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., also led an effort earlier today to invoke a rarely used law to request release of the files in the case to Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee next month.
Commerce Sec. Lutnick touts trade deal with South Korea
Commerce Sec. Howard Lutnick touted a trade deal with South Korea on social media tonight.
"These trade deals reflect the clear understanding that President Trump’s tariff and trade agenda has the power to reshape global commerce," Lutnick wrote on X.
"Trade and tariffs are how we Make America Great Again," he added.
Lutnick highlighted that as part of the deal South Korea had agreed to buy $100 billion in liquid natural gas and other U.S. energy products over the duration of Trump’s term.
Trump had outlined the agreement earlier this evening on Truth Social, noting that he had met with trade negotiators from South Korea. He said the United States agreed to a tariff rate for South Korea of 15%, down from 25%.
Lutnick said of the tariffs: "They will also not be treated any worse than any other country on semiconductors and pharmaceuticals. Steel, aluminum, and copper are not included and remain unchanged."
While he cut tariffs for South Korea, Trump heightened tariffs today for India and Brazil, to 25% and 90%, respectively.
Trump lowers tariffs on South Korea after securing $350 billion investment
Trump announced this afternoon that the United States has reached a "full and complete trade deal" with South Korea, lowering tariffs on the country to 15% from 25%, after it secured a $350 billion investment.
"The Deal is that South Korea will give to the United States $350 Billion Dollars for Investments owned and controlled by the United States, and selected by myself, as President," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "We have agreed to a Tariff for South Korea of 15%. America will not be charged a Tariff."
Trump added that South Korean officials agreed to expand their trading channels to include imports of American products, including cars, trucks and agricultural goods.
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung confirmed the trade agreement this evening, writing in a statement that the country has "overcome a major hurdle."
"Through this agreement, the government has eliminated uncertainty in the export environment and adjusted U.S. tariffs to be at or below those of key competitor nations. This creates conditions for our industries to compete on equal or even more favorable terms," he wrote.
Speaker Mike Johnson acknowledges 'humanitarian crisis' in Gaza
House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., described conditions in Gaza as a "humanitarian crisis" in an interview on CNN this evening, adding that Trump has been using a "strong hand" to resolve widespread starvation in the region.
"We’ve got a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. I mean, the pictures tell 1,000 words, and it’s heartbreaking. We want an end to the conflict there. We want peace, and we want to end that whole crisis," Johnson said. "President Trump is using a strong hand to try to forge that, and we’re moving in the right direction there."
Johnson condemned images depicting dire conditions in Gaza as "disturbing and heartbreaking" in an interview Sunday on NBC News' "Meet the Press," but his use of the phrase "humanitarian crisis" marks a shift in how he has described the plight of Palestinians in the war-torn region.
A growing faction of congressional Republicans is expressing outrage at the starvation in Gaza, among them Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, of Georgia, who this week condemned the "genocide, humanitarian crisis and starvation happening in Gaza."
Trump slaps universal 50% tariff on copper imports; metal’s price plunges
Trump signed on order today imposing a universal 50% tariff on copper imorts, the latest metal he has targeted with a steep import tax.
U.S. copper prices plunged as much as 18% in after-hours trading as soon as the White House announced the new tariff rate. Copper miners Freeport-McMoRan and Southern Copper were down about 10% and more than 6%, respectively.
The sell-off, if it holds through tomorrow’s trading session, will be the metal’s largest single-day decline since 1989.
Progressive group endorses four Latinas in competitive House districts
With the midterm elections over a year away, a progressive Latino group is announcing its support for four Democratic candidates who could be the first Latinas to represent their congressional districts.
Latino Victory Fund, an organization focused on increasing Latino political representation, is endorsing Marlene Galán-Woods and JoAnna Mendoza in Arizona’s 1st and 6th districts, respectively; Denise Powell in Nebraska’s 2nd District; and Carol Obando-Derstine in Pennsylvania’s 7th District. They will face Democratic primary challengers in districts many expect to be among the most competitive on the midterm map next year.
The early endorsements unlock a number of benefits for the candidates, including social media rollouts, direct contributions to their campaigns from the group’s political action committee and access to a national network of funders, CEO and President Katharine Pichardo told NBC News before the endorsements were announced.
Ohio man charged with threatening to kill a member of Congress over Medicaid cuts
Federal authorities this week arrested and charged an Ohio man in connection with threats to kill a member of Congress if the lawmaker voted to cut Medicaid.
The suspect, whom the FBI identified as Jeffrey Dorsey, 60, of Dayton, left a nearly 90-second expletive-laden voicemail on the main line of the lawmaker’s Washington, D.C., office last month, according to a criminal complaint filed in federal court yesterday. Court documents did not name the lawmaker.
“If you vote to take my f------ Medicaid away, I’m gonna cut your f------ head off,” the caller said, according to a transcript of a message from the FBI.
Immigration, medicaid and the so-called 'Big, Beautiful Bill' are on top of seniors' minds at Rep. Jennifer McClellan's town hall
To kick off connecting with her district during recess, Rep. Jennifer McClellan, D-Va., hosted a town hall geared toward seniors today. Around 60 attendees discussed their concerns about Social Security, Medicare, immigration and the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill.
“I call it the ‘One Big Ugly Bill,’ ‘The Big, Massive Frankenstein,’ whatever you want to call it,” McClellan said. “The bill that was signed on July 4. There’s a lot in there, and I’m not going to touch on every aspect of it.”
McClellan listed the changes to Medicaid and the rescission package’s public broadcasting cuts as two issues that will affect the audience. She also alleged that her office is having difficulties getting in touch with the correct staff members at federal agencies such as the Social Security Administration because of cuts by the so-called Department of Government Efficiency.
While they were directed to keep their questions geared toward senior issues, audience members asked about immigration more than any other subject — specifically expressing concerns about how deportations and immigration raids are being handled. McClellan’s responses condemning the Trump administration’s handling of immigration were some of the only responses to elicit applause.
“I hope that when we enforce our immigration policy, whether it’s who we detain, who we deport, that we do so consistent with American values of due process and compassion,” she said.
After the town hall, McClellan discussed the frequency of the immigration questions with NBC News, and she said she did expect that to be a reoccurring topic.
“There’s been so much ICE activity here in Chesterfield County that’s impacted people of all ages, and I think that is people of all walks of life, have shown, have reached out and said they’re concerned about it,” McClellan said.
Roz Faines is one of those attendees who brought up immigration.
“It is not a United States of America that I know and have ever known,” Faines said.
McClellan told NBC News she hopes her Democratic colleagues prioritize listening when meeting with their constituents throughout August.
“We need to meet them where they are to talk to them about the work that’s going on in Washington. Good, bad and ugly,” she said.
Trump hits India and Brazil with high tariffs, lowers South Korea duties
Trump slapped higher trade duties on India today while offering a reprieve to two other countries — his latest trade war declarations in what has become a cornerstone of his second administration.
Imports from India now face a 25% tariff, Trump said on social media earlier in the day, along with an unspecified penalty for what he said was an overreliance on Russian energy and military equipment. He later signaled talks with India were ongoing.
Shortly before 4 p.m., Trump said Brazil now faced a 90% tariff, up from 50%, as the administration also sanctioned the Brazilian judge overseeing the cases of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is accused of allegedly plotting a coup. Trump has taken issue with Brazil’s treatment of Bolsonaro, who was a strong supporter in his first term.
Finally, Trump said this afternoon that South Korea had made “an offer to buy down” the 25% duty level it faces. “I will be interested in hearing what that offer is,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. NBC News has reported South Korea is interested in investing in U.S. shipbuilding capacity.
Trump ends trade loophole for all low-cost exports
Trump moved to suspend the “de minimis” trade loophole for all global commercial exports in an executive order this afternoon, a move the administration says will “close the catastrophic loophole” and prevent global trading partners from subverting Trump’s tariffs.
The de minimis exemption is a long-standing loophole that allowed exporters to avoid paying duties on low-value packages that totaled $800 or less when they entered the United States.
Trump suspended the loophole in February for China, Mexico and Canada, but he reinstated it to allow Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to establish protocol for collecting tariff revenue on low-value imports that would be eligible for the exemption.
With the adequate systems now in place, Trump said in the order, it is “necessary and appropriate to suspend duty-free De Minimis treatment” to deal with the “unusual and extraordinary threats” the loophole creates.
The threats Trump referred to mirror those he has cited in a series of executive orders this year that declared a national emergency at the United States northern and southern borders in order to levy reciprocal tariffs on China, Canada and Mexico without congressional approval.
Today’s executive order applies the suspension to all global exports of $800 or less that are shipped into the country outside of the international postal network. The change will be effective starting Aug. 29, according to the White House.
Global exporters used the loophole to “evade tariffs and funnel deadly synthetic opioids as well as other unsafe or below-market products” into the United States, according to a White House document detailing the order.
The order codified exemptions for goods shipped through the international postal system, which it says will be assigned duties based on the value of each package, in accordance with standing tariff rates for its country of origin.
It also preserves a long-standing exemption for up to $200 of goods brought into the country by American travelers and for up to $100 of bona fide gifts.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Trump’s signature tax and spending legislation, arranged for the global repeal of the legal framework that allowed for the de minimis exemption to take place in July 2027.
The White House said Trump's suspension order is evidence he is “acting more quickly to suspend the De Minimis exemption than the OBBBA requires.”
Trump raises tariff rate on Brazil
Trump has signed an executive order raising the tariff rate on Brazil by 40% — up to a total of 50% — over issues the Trump administration has with how Brazil's justice system has handled the case against former President Jair Bolsonaro.
In the executive order, Trump also declared a national emergency, writing, "I, Donald J. Trump ... find that the scope and gravity of the recent policies, practices, and actions of the Government of Brazil constitute an unusual and extraordinary threat, which has its source in whole or substantial part outside the United States, to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States and hereby declare a national emergency with respect to that threat."
The new tariff rate will go into effect “on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time 7 days after the date of this order” with some exceptions.
In the executive order, Trump specifically named Brazilian Supreme Federal Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, alleging that he "has abused his judicial authority to target political opponents, shield corrupt allies, and suppress dissent, often in coordination with other Brazilian officials."
Trump signed the order the day the Treasury Department imposed sanctions on de Moraes.
House Democrats sue Trump administration for blocking access to ICE detention facilities
Twelve House Democrats sued the Trump administration today, accusing Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security of blocking their access to visit federal immigration detention centers. ICE acting Director Todd Lyons and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem are named alongside their respective agencies as defendants.
The lawsuit, filed in Washington, D.C., claims new DHS policy requiring a minimum of seven days' notice to visit DHS detention facilities violates existing law that allows members of Congress to visit facilities without notice.
The complaint also argues another leg of the new DHS policy — prohibiting congressional access to certain DHS and ICE offices despite their being used for detention — is “unlawful.”
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., called the lawsuit a “groundbreaking” complaint a statement and a “first-of-its-kind lawsuit.” Jeffries is not listed as one of 12 plaintiffs.
The plaintiffs are: Assistant House Democratic Leader Joe Neguse and Rep. Jason Crow, both of Colorado; Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Adriano Espaillat and Rep. Dan Goldman, both of New York; Homeland Security Committee ranking member Bennie Thompson, of Mississippi; Judiciary Committee ranking member Jamie Raskin, of Maryland; Rep. Veronica Escobar, of Texas; and House Oversight and Government Reform Committee ranking member Robert Garcia and Reps. Luis Correa, Jimmy Gomez, Raul Ruiz and Norma Torres, all of California.
Kamala Harris decides not to run for California governor
Former Vice President Kamala Harris will not run for governor of California, she announced today, ending months of speculation after her defeat to Donald Trump last year in the presidential race.
“In recent months, I have given serious thought to asking the people of California for the privilege to serve as their Governor,” Harris said in a statement. “I love this state, its people, and its promise. It is my home. But after deep reflection, I’ve decided that I will not run for Governor in this election.”
“For now, my leadership — and public service — will not be in elected office,” she continued. “I look forward to getting back out and listening to the American people, helping elect Democrats across the nation who will fight fearlessly, and sharing more details in the months ahead about my own plans.”
Harris, who did not address a possible 2028 presidential candidacy, added: “In the United States of America, power must lie with the people. And We, the People must use our power to fight for freedom, opportunity, fairness, and the dignity of all. I will remain in that fight.”
Two Trump appointees vote to cut rates as Fed holds steady
The Federal Reserve left its key interest rate unchanged today, a widely expected move despite enormous pressure from the Trump administration to lower it.
The Fed said in a statement announcing the decision that economic growth moderated in the first half of the year but that inflation remained “somewhat elevated.”
Two Federal Reserve officials, both appointed by Trump, dissented from the decision, which has not occurred in more than three decades — a sign of both the economic uncertainty and the political pressure on the central bank.
Powell said at a news conference announcing the decision that the economy was not behaving as if it were being held back by the Fed’s current interest rate level, which helps set borrowing rates in the rest of the economy.
But he said there was still “a ways away from seeing where things settle down” with respect to Trump’s tariffs, which has kept overall uncertainty elevated and necessitates higher rates.
Trump calls for Pelosi to be investigated for stock trading
Following an unrelated bill signing, Trump called for an investigation into Rep. Nancy Pelosi's stock trades as he was responding to a question from a reporter about a bill introduced in Congress that would ban stock trading for members of Congress, the president and the vice president.
"I don't know about it, but I like it conceptually," he said about the bill before he jumped into criticizing Pelosi, D-Calif., the former House speaker.
“Nancy Pelosi became rich by having inside information. She made a fortune with her husband, and I think that's disgraceful," Trump claimed.
"What I do think is Nancy Pelosi should be investigated, because what she has the highest return of anybody, practically, in the history of Wall Street, save a few," Trump added. "And how did that happen? It happened by — she knows exactly what's going to happen, what's going to be announced. You buy stock, and the stock goes up after the announcement’s made, and she ought to be investigated.”
The bill Trump was referring to appears to be one introduced by Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., which would also ban lawmakers' spouses from trading stocks.
"Speaker Pelosi does not own any stocks, and she has no prior knowledge or subsequent involvement in any transactions," Ian Krager, a spokesperson for Pelosi's office, said in a statement after Trump's comments.
Pelosi has said she would vote in favor of a congressional stock trading ban if it came to the floor.
Trump criticizes Fed Chair Powell at bill signing
At a bill signing at the White House, Trump criticized Powell when reporters asked him about economic analysts who say lower interest rates could lead to inflation.
"Right now, there's no inflation. Everybody thought there would be," Trump said.
Later, he swiped at a "gentleman," which appeared to be a reference to Powell.
"You know, each point that this gentleman keeps up costs us $365 billion a year," Trump said, adding later: "It’s all because of the Fed. He’s done a bad job."
"He’s always too late," Trump said. "Even if he does it today, probably won’t. I hear they’re going to do it in September, not today. For what reason? Nobody knows."
Trump signs VA Home Loan Program Reform Act into law
Trump was joined by GOP Reps. Derrick van Orden, of Wisconsin, and Mike Bost, of Illinois, the chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, at the White House today as he signed the Veterans Affairs Home Loan Program Reform Act into law.
Before he signed the bill, Trump said he was "thrilled" to do so. He also appeared to criticize Powell, blaming him for high interest rates.
"This legislation provides desperately needed relief to veterans and their families who are falling behind on their mortgages, which are a lot, because we have somebody that doesn't want to lower interest rates, probably won't lower them today," he said.
Trump administration sanctions Brazilian Supreme Court justice leading Bolsonaro case
The Treasury Department announced today that it is sanctioning Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act.
"De Moraes is responsible for an oppressive campaign of censorship, arbitrary detentions that violate human rights, and politicized prosecutions — including against former President Jair Bolsonaro," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a news release. "Today’s action makes clear that Treasury will continue to hold accountable those who threaten U.S. interests and the freedoms of our citizens."
The move is the latest escalation in a deteriorating relationship between Brasilia and Washington. Brazil is set to face one of the steepest tariff rates, 50%, the Trump administration is issuing on countries that don't reach trade agreements with the United States by Friday.
De Moraes has come under fire from conservatives in both Brazil and the United States for his rulings against disinformation and his role overseeing the case against Bolsonaro, who is accused of attempting a coup after he lost the 2022 election, which he has denied.
The case has drawn the ire of Trump, who cited it as one of the reasons for Brazil's high pending tariff rate.
Supreme Court to discuss Ghislaine Maxwell appeal in late September
The Supreme Court announced today that the justices will discuss Ghislaine Maxwell’s appeal of her conviction in 2021 on federal sex trafficking charges on Sept. 29, when they meet to consider petitions that were filed during their summer break.
Maxwell's lawyer, David Oscar Markus, urged the court Monday to hear the appeal, repeating his previous arguments that a nonprosecution agreement Maxwell made with federal prosecutors in Florida should apply to her case in New York.
Maxwell was convicted in New York of charges that she recruited and groomed teenage girls for the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein to sexually abuse.
The justices will meet in private in late September, and the court will post a decision on whether to take up the case on an orders list released in the days after the conference.
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff to travel to Israel to address humanitarian crisis in Gaza
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to travel to Israel as early as today to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, NBC News has confirmed, according to a source familiar with the plan and a senior White House official.
Witkoff has been overseeing the negotiations that have taken place over Israel's conflict with Hamas in Gaza. Last week, he had to cut the talks short because of a lack of progress and brought his negotiating team home from Doha, Qatar.
Israel is under growing pressure to step up humanitarian aid in Gaza amid what appears to be a worsening crisis.
DOJ emphasizes ‘public interest’ in push for the release of Jeffrey Epstein grand jury transcripts
The Department of Justice on Tuesday night laid out further arguments for the release of grand jury transcripts in Jeffrey Epstein’s and Ghislaine Maxwell’s criminal cases, arguing that its request was “consistent with increasing calls for additional disclosures in this matter.”
The filing comes after two judges requested that the DOJ submit further information about the government’s request earlier this month to unseal grand jury transcripts.
Separately, Democrats on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Wednesday invoked a rarely used law to request that the government provide them with files related to Epstein, the convicted sex offender who died in jail in 2019, by mid-August.
GOP Sen. Chuck Grassley says he was 'offended' by Trump's post on judges
Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Chuck Grassley said this morning that he was "offended" by a post Trump shared on Truth Social that called on the Iowa Republican to allow the president to nominate district or circuit court judges in states even if the senators from those states object.
“Last night, I was surprised to see President Trump on Truth Social go after me and Senate Republicans over what we call the blue slip,” Grassley said at the beginning of the Senate Judiciary Committee’s hearing on nominations this morning, “I was offended by what the president said, and I’m disappointed that it would result in personal insults.”
The blue slip is a tradition in the Senate Judiciary Committee where, when the president nominates someone for the circuit or district court, a blue-colored slip is sent to the two senators from the respective state.
If the senators from that state have no issue with the nominee, they return the blue slip and the nomination moves forward through the normal process, but if a senator from that state opposes the nomination, they do not return the blue slip, and the nominee is effectively blocked, before even getting a hearing.
Grassley has said he will continue this tradition despite pleas from Trump, who says he wants to nominate partisan conservative judges across the country, no matter if the state is considered Democratic- or Republican-leaning.
Trump said in his Truth Social post last night that Grassley could solve the problem "with a mere flick of the pen."
"Democrats like Schumer, Warner, Kaine, Booker, Schiff, and others, SLEAZEBAGS ALL, have an ironclad stoppage of Great Republican Candidates," wrote Trump, who after continuing to lash out at Democrats concluded the post with, "Chuck, I know you have the Courage to do this, DO IT!"
Economists sound caution on new GDP estimate as Trump admin celebrates
Today, the Commerce Department reported that GDP for Q2 grew at 3%. That was higher than the Dow Jones consensus estimate of 2.3% and the Bloomberg consensus estimate of 2.6%.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick celebrated the figures in a post on X, saying that the "Trump Economy has officially arrived. Biden’s first quarter is behind us, and growth is already accelerating."
But it was mostly driven by a 30% drop in imports, which reversed the 37% surge in imports last quarter as consumers and companies raced to beat tariffs.
Economists are already sounding a note of caution. As Wells Fargo writes, “today’s barn-burner of a headline overstates it,” adding, “Headline GDP growth ultimately continues to be whipsawed by tariff-induced behavioral effects.”
Sales to private domestic purchasers (a measure that strips away volatile components like trade and inventories) slowed to just 1.2%, which was the weakest level since 2022. That’s also much slower than the 3% rate it ran at last year. “Even despite remaining much stronger than the -0.5% GDP print, that marks the slowest pace of domestic demand in two years and signals growth is slowing even if headline rates suggest otherwise,” Wells Fargo’s economists added.
“Business investment may improve a touch due to clarity on trade relationships, but momentum has undoubtedly been lost,” economists at ING said in a note to clients today recapping the report.
With all that being said, it’s also worth noting that today’s reading was just the first of three revisions to GDP. Typically, it’s released as an “advance estimate,” second reading, then third (and final) reading.
Trump shares more details about a future meeting with Chinese President Xi
Trump shared more details about a potential meeting he plans to have with Chinese President Xi Jinping amid the ongoing trade war.
“[Xi] wants me to go there and he’s going to come [to the United States],” Trump told far-right media outlet Breitbart during his trip to Scotland.
“We’re just going to work out dates, but we look forward to it,” Trump added. “We’ll see what happens, but we’ll most likely be going to China in the not-too-distant future, maybe before this year is out—and he’ll be coming here.”
Both U.S. and Chinese officials have been meeting this week in Sweden to discuss how they might be able to resolve the tariff issue between their two countries.
Schumer invokes rarely used law to request Epstein files from DOJ
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., is leading all seven senators on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee in invoking a rarely used law to request files in the Jeffrey Epstein case and have them delivered to the committee next month.
In a letter sent to Attorney General Pam Bondi, the group says it is requesting the files under the law, which says an “Executive agency, on request of … the Committee on [Homeland Security and] Governmental Affairs of the Senate, or any five members thereof, shall submit any information requested of it relating to any matter within the jurisdiction of the committee.”
The group requests the documents be delivered to Congress by Aug. 15, with a briefing of committee staff no later than Aug. 29. The letter was first reported by The New York Times.
The senators also ask that the department take all necessary steps to protect the identities of victims, and is requesting “all documents, files, evidence, or other materials in the possession of DOJ or FBI" related to the case. It’s not clear what enforcement mechanism Democrats would use if the Trump administration refuses to comply.
Trump says India imports will face 25% tariff, 'plus a penalty,' on Friday
Trump said in a post to Truth Social that imports from India will face a 25% tariff "plus a penalty" starting Friday.
The penalty will be for doing business with Russia and China, Trump said in his post. It is unclear what the penalty entails.
Trump said that "while India is our friend, we have, over the years, done relatively little business with them because their Tariffs are far too high," adding that India's business with Russia comes "when everyone wants Russia to STOP THE KILLING IN UKRAINE."
In 2024, the U.S. and India traded more than $129 billion worth of goods, with a U.S. trade deficit of $45.7 billion, according to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.
Trump says Friday tariff deadline 'will not be extended'
Trump said in a post to Truth Social that he would not extend the Friday deadline, when steep tariff rates on many imports are expected to snap into place.
"The August first deadline is the August first deadline — it stands strong, and will not be extended. A big day for America!!!" Trump wrote in all-capital letters.
U.S. trade officials will also discuss with Trump whether to extend a pause on high tariffs on Chinese imports, according to U.S. Trade Rep. Jamieson Greer, who was in talks this week with Chinese counterparts.
Greer said yesterday that extending the pause was "under discussion," but that Trump would ultimately make the decision. Higher tariffs on goods traded between the U.S. and China will return unless the two sides come to another agreement by Aug. 12.
IMF nudges up 2025 growth forecast but says tariff risks still dog outlook
The International Monetary Fund raised its global growth forecasts for 2025 and 2026 slightly yesterday, citing stronger-than-expected purchases ahead of an Aug. 1 jump in U.S. tariffs and a drop in the effective U.S. tariff rate to 17.3% from 24.4%.
It warned, however, that the global economy faced major risks including a potential rebound in tariff rates, geopolitical tensions and larger fiscal deficits that could drive up interest rates and tighten global financial conditions.
The Fed is expected to hold rates steady as Trump pushes for a cut
The Federal Reserve has so far resisted Trump’s aggressive pressure campaign to throw inflation concerns out and attempt to boost the U.S. economy with lower interest rates.
That’s expected to continue today, as the central bank is expected to leave interest rates unchanged. If so, that’s likely to annoy Trump, who is already reshaping the global economy with his tariffs.
Trump says Jeffrey Epstein ‘stole’ Virginia Giuffre from him when she worked at Mar-a-Lago spa
Trump said convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein “stole” Virginia Giuffre from his Mar-a-Lago club, a stunning admission that could increase scrutiny of his relationship with the late financier — even as his administration seeks to change the subject from Epstein.
Trump was speaking to reporters yesterday afternoon when he was asked about his comments over the weekend about a falling-out with Epstein because the financier took employees from his business.
Pete Hegseth has discussed running for political office in Tennessee, sources say
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has privately discussed the idea of running for political office next year in Tennessee, according to two people who have spoken directly with him about it.
If Hegseth were to follow through on the discussions, it would amount to a major leadership shake-up at the department that oversees the American military and millions of federal employees. The Defense Department bars civilian employees from running for political office, meaning Hegseth would have to resign to do so.
Republicans confirm former Trump lawyer Emil Bove to lifetime appeals court perch
The Republican-led Senate voted last night to confirm Emil Bove as a judge on the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, granting a lifetime appointment to Trump‘s former personal lawyer.
He was confirmed 50-49, with only Republican votes, as they set aside allegations from three whistleblowers about the conduct of Bove, a Justice Department official, which include accusations that he flouted laws and Justice Department procedures.
How Trump’s poll numbers on immigration have shifted as he has enacted his agenda
Trump started his second term with one huge difference compared with his first term: Polls regularly showed majorities of Americans approving of his handling of immigration. In fact, it was his best issue, whereas it had been one of his least popular before.
Six months into his second term, it’s still among his best issues, but it’s no longer as popular. There has been a clear decline in support for Trump’s handling of immigration, with his approval rating dropping across a handful of prominent polls.
