[Thursday, July 24] US News Headlines from r/politics

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DAILY BRIEFING

This briefing synthesizes critical developments over the past 24 hours. The political landscape is dominated by the rapidly escalating Jeffrey Epstein investigation, which now features direct Department of Justice engagement with Ghislaine Maxwell and is generating significant political fallout, including visible fissures within the Republican party. Concurrently, the Executive Branch continues to test institutional norms, highlighted by an unprecedented public confrontation between President Trump and Federal Reserve Chair Powell. Major policy shifts in domestic affairs are being implemented alongside significant judicial checks on executive power. Polling data suggests these events are contributing to a notable decline in the President’s public support, particularly among key independent and younger voters. The situation requires immediate and coordinated attention.

1. The Epstein Investigation: A National Crisis

1.1. Department of Justice Engages Ghislaine Maxwell Amid “Frantic Scouring” of Files

In the most significant development, Jeffrey Epstein’s convicted accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell, has formally met with officials from the Department of Justice (DOJ) at the federal courthouse in Tallahassee [1]. According to The New York Times, the DOJ has been consumed by a “frantic scouring” of the Epstein files, indicating a high-level, resource-intensive investigation is underway that is absorbing significant departmental focus [2]. Following the meeting, Maxwell’s attorney asserted that his client “answered every single question” posed by investigators [3]. This development is of critical importance as Maxwell’s lawyer had previously suggested she might plead the Fifth Amendment if subpoenaed by Congress to testify [4].

References:
[1] Justice Dept. official meets with Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein’s imprisoned former girlfriend, https://apnews.com/article/epstein-maxwell-trump-sex-offender-b828f96be4a438edfe8051511be8c5da
[2] How a Frantic Scouring of the Epstein Files Consumed the Justice Dept., https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/24/us/politics/epstein-files-trump-bondi-justice-department-fbi.html
[3] DOJ meets with Ghislaine Maxwell: ‘She answered every single question’, https://www.fox26houston.com/news/doj-meet-ghislaine-maxwell-epstein-files
[4] Ghislaine Maxwell May Plead the Fifth After Congress Subpoena: Lawyer, https://www.thedailybeast.com/ghislaine-maxwell-may-plead-the-fifth-after-congress-subpoena-lawyer/

1.2. President’s Alleged Involvement and Administration’s Response

The investigation has become a direct political crisis for the administration, centered on the President’s alleged connections. A pivotal Wall Street Journal report claims President Trump was officially informed by the DOJ that his name appears in Epstein’s files [1]. A CNN timeline analysis suggests the administration’s strategic pivot on the files coincided directly with this notification [2]. Further escalating the situation, counsel for Epstein’s survivors has publicly stated that the estate possesses a “birthday book” containing a letter from President Trump [3]. The controversy is amplified by resurfaced media, including photos of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “partying with” Epstein [4].

The administration’s response is under intense scrutiny. Reports allege Attorney General Pam Bondi gave President Trump a “heads up” on the files, after which she canceled a speaking engagement citing a “torn cornea” as the damaging news emerged [5].

References:
[1] WSJ: DOJ told Trump his name is in Epstein files, https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5416848-wsj-doj-trump-epstein-files/
[2] Timeline: Trump team’s Epstein files pivot coincided with Trump being told he was in the files, https://edition.cnn.com/2025/07/24/politics/trump-epstein-files-pivot-timeline
[3] Epstein’s Estate Includes Book Said to Have Note From Trump, a Lawyer Says, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/24/us/politics/epstein-trump-birthday-book.html
[4] RFK Jr. Pictured Partying with Child Sex Predator Jeffrey Epstein, https://www.thedailybeast.com/rfk-jr-pictured-partying-with-child-sex-predator-jeffrey-epstein/
[5] Pam Bondi Ditches Speaking Event After Report Reveals She Gave Trump Heads Up on Epstein Files, https://www.latintimes.com/pam-bondi-ditches-speaking-event-after-report-reveals-she-gave-trump-heads-epstein-files-587498

1.3. Congressional Divisions and Partisan Fallout

The handling of the Epstein files is creating visible fractures within the Republican party. House Speaker Mike Johnson publicly stated the Epstein case is “’not a hoax’” and affirmed Congress is seeking “full transparency” [1]. This follows reports of a brewing “GOP revolt” [2] and anger among Senate Republicans toward their House counterparts over “GOP dysfunction” on the issue [3]. Compounding this, a GOP senator reportedly admitted to killing an Epstein-related resolution with the explicit intent to provide “cover” for President Trump [4].

Congress is escalating its own investigation. House Democrats are leveraging the situation, forcing “vote after vote on Epstein files” to apply political pressure [5]. In a high-profile action, a House panel voted to subpoena former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton over possible links to Ghislaine Maxwell [6].

References:
[1] Speaker Johnson: Epstein drama ‘not a hoax,’ Congress wants ‘full transparency’, https://nypost.com/2025/07/24/us-news/speaker-johnson-says-epstein-drama-not-a-hoax-congress-wants-full-transparency/
[2] Trump’s Epstein nightmare worsens amid new revelations and a GOP revolt, https://edition.cnn.com/2025/07/24/politics/trumps-epstein-nightmare-worsens-amid-new-revelations-and-a-gop-revolt?iid=cnn_buildContentRecirc_end_recirc&recs_exp=up-next-article-end&tenant_id=popular.article.en
[3] GOP dysfunction over Epstein leaves Senate Republicans angry with House, https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5416750-gop-senators-epstein-agenda/
[4] GOP Senator Admits He Killed Epstein Resolution to Give Trump “Cover”, https://newrepublic.com/post/198410/republican-senator-mullin-killed-epstein-resolution-give-trump-cover
[5] House Democrats force Republicans to take vote after vote on Epstein files, https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/house-democrats-force-republicans-vote-epstein-files-trump-rcna220606
[6] House panel votes to subpoena Bill and Hillary Clinton over possible links to Ghislaine Maxwell, https://nypost.com/2025/07/23/us-news/house-panel-votes-to-subpoena-bill-and-hillary-clinton-over-possible-links-to-ghislaine-maxwell/

1.4. Plunging Public Support and Judicial Hurdles

The scandal is contributing to a measurable erosion of the President’s political standing. His approval rating has fallen to a second-term low of 37%, a decline driven by cratering support among Independents, of whom less than 30% now approve [1]. Polling also suggests collapsing support among Gen Z voters [2]. Public trust is low, with a Fox News poll finding only 13% of Americans perceive transparency in the case’s handling [3]. Meanwhile, judicial rulings are limiting transparency, with a judge blocking the release of unspecified “Epstein court files” from becoming public [4].

References:
[1] Independents Drive Trump’s Approval to 37% Second-Term Low, https://news.gallup.com/poll/692879/independents-drive-trump-approval-second-term-low.aspx
[2] Gen Z support for Trump collapses amid Epstein fallout, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/news/2025/07/23/gen-z-support-for-donald-trump-collapses-amid-epstein/
[3] Only 13 percent see transparency on Epstein case: Fox News poll, https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5417420-fox-news-poll-trump-epstein/
[4] Judge blocks release of Epstein court files, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyq921zqqzo

2. Executive Branch: Policy, Power & Institutional Conflicts

2.1. Unprecedented Confrontation with the Federal Reserve

In an “extraordinary” challenge to the independence of the central bank, President Trump visited the Federal Reserve to publicly pressure Chairman Jerome Powell to lower interest rates or resign [1]. The encounter devolved into a public feud, with Chairman Powell reported to have fact-checked the President’s assertions “to his face” on live television during a “bizarre building tour” [2]. A separate lawsuit has been filed by a “Trump Ally” against Powell, demanding public access to Federal Open Market Committee meetings [3].

References:
[1] Trump visits Federal Reserve and tussles with Jerome Powell in extraordinary moment, https://www.npr.org/2025/07/24/nx-s1-5478922/trump-federal-reserve-renovation-jerome-powell
[2] Fed Chair Fact Checks Trump to His Face During Bizarre Building Tour, https://www.thedailybeast.com/fed-chair-fact-checks-trump-to-his-face-during-bizarre-building-tour/
[3] Trump Ally Sues Powell Demanding FOMC Meeting Public Access, https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-24/trump-ally-sues-powell-demanding-fomc-meeting-public-access

2.2. Sweeping Domestic Policy Initiatives

The administration has issued a series of major executive orders and policy changes:

• Social & Urban Policy: President Trump signed an executive order to push cities to “curb homeless sleeping, drug use on streets” [1] that also “promotes the use of forcible hospitalization of homeless people” [2]. The Department of Justice has sued New York City over its “sanctuary” policies [3].
• Technology & Media: The President issued an executive order on “Preventing Woke A.I. in the Federal Government” [4] as part of a broader plan to “win” the AI race through deregulation [5]. Meanwhile, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has stated that TikTok “will go dark” if its parent company does not cede U.S. control of the app [6].
• Environmental & Financial Policy: The EPA has formally declared that greenhouse gases “don’t endanger people” [7] as part of a plan to undo the “‘holy grail’ of climate rules” by ignoring the underlying science [8]. Concurrently, the administration has “quietly pause[d]” student-loan forgiveness for nearly 2 million borrowers [9].

References:
[1] Trump to sign executive order to push cities to curb homeless sleeping, drug use on streets, https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5418729-trump-executive-order-homeless-drug-use-streets/
[2] Trump signs order that pushes forcible hospitalization of homeless people, https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/07/24/trump-homeless-forced-hospitalization-executive-order/?utm_campaign=wp_main&utm_medium=social&utm_source=reddit.com
[3] President Donald Trump’s Justice Department sued New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ administration in federal court Thursday, alleging the city’s “sanctuary” policies interfere with the enforcement of federal immigration law., https://www.politico.com/news/2025/07/24/trump-sues-nyc-over-sanctuary-city-policies-00475640
[4] Preventing Woke A.I. in the Federal Government, https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/07/preventing-woke-ai-in-the-federal-government/
[5] White House unveils sweeping plan to “win” global AI race through deregulation | Trump’s “AI Action Plan” reverses regulations, sparks critical pushback, https://arstechnica.com/ai/2025/07/white-house-unveils-sweeping-plan-to-win-global-ai-race-through-deregulation/
[6] Commerce Sec. Lutnick says TikTok will go dark if China won’t agree to U.S. control of the social media app, https://www.cnbc.com/2025/07/24/tiktok-trump-us-china.html
[7] Trump’s EPA now says greenhouse gases don’t endanger people, https://www.npr.org/2025/07/24/nx-s1-5302162/climate-change-trump-epa
[8] Trump’s latest plan to undo the ‘holy grail’ of climate rules: Never mind the science, https://www.politico.com/news/2025/07/23/trump-federal-law-greenhouse-gas-limits-00469911
[9] Trump quietly pauses student-loan forgiveness for nearly 2 million borrowers, https://www.businessinsider.com/student-loan-forgiveness-paused-ibr-trump-halts-borrower-debt-relief-2025-7

2.3. Administration Controversies and Oversight

The administration is facing multiple points of scrutiny. OMB Director Russ Vought reportedly billed the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) $5 million for his security detail while simultaneously “gutting” the agency’s functions [1]. A “Project 2025” data leak allegedly showed a Trump appointee at the Justice Department calling for a “test for voting and halting immigration” [2]. Additionally, an unspecified situation involving Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, dubbed the “Signalgate Saga,” has reportedly “worsen[ed],” with no further details provided in the headline [3].

References:
[1] Vought Bills CFPB $5 Million for His Security Detail While Gutting Agency’s Consumer Work, https://www.commondreams.org/news/russell-vought-cfpb-security-detail
[2] Project 2025 Data Leak Shows a Paul Ingrassia Calling for Test for Voting and Halting Immigration | Trump appointed far-right loyalist Paul Ingrassia to head a Justice Department office responsible for keeping politics out of the civil service, https://theintercept.com/2025/07/23/project-2025-leak-paul-ingrassia-justice-department/
[3] Pete Hegseth’s Signalgate Saga Somehow Gets Worse, https://newrepublic.com/post/198301/pete-hegseth-signal-messages-classified

3. Justice System & The Judiciary

3.1. Supreme Court Actions on Voting Rights and Judicial Power

The Supreme Court has acted to keep a temporary pause on a lower court ruling that would substantially weaken the Voting Rights Act [1]. Concurrently, the Court has been formally asked to overrule its prior decision that established a right to gay marriage [2]. In a notable public statement, Justice Elena Kagan has urged “caution” in the Court’s increasing use of its ‘shadow docket’ for major rulings [3]. In a separate filing, Chief Justice John Roberts clarified the limits of his role, asserting, “I Manage the Judiciary, Not the President” [4].

References:
[1] Supreme Court keeps a pause for now on a ruling that weakens the Voting Rights Act, https://www.npr.org/2025/07/24/nx-s1-5464116/supreme-court-voting-rights-act-north-dakota-private-right
[2] Supreme Court asked to overrule gay marriage decision, https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/jul/24/supreme-court-asked-overrule-gay-marriage-decision/
[3] Kagan Urges Caution in US Supreme Court Use of ‘Shadow Docket’, https://news.bloomberglaw.com/daily-labor-report/kagan-urges-caution-in-us-supreme-court-use-of-shadow-docket
[4] John Roberts: I Manage the Judiciary, Not the President, https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/john-roberts-in-court-filing-i-manage-the-judiciary-not-the-president

3.2. Federal Courts Check Executive and State Policies

The judiciary has delivered significant checks on executive and state authority. A federal appeals court ruled that President Trump’s order seeking to end birthright citizenship is unconstitutional, upholding a nationwide block on the policy [1, 2]. In a separate case with major implications for firearm regulations, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals blocked California’s law requiring background checks for ammunition purchases [3].

References:
[1] Appeals court finds Trump’s effort to end birthright citizenship unconstitutional, upholds block, https://apnews.com/article/immigration-birthright-citizenship-16658c712cf6a3141f168c7557c0628d
[2] Appeals Court upholds birthright citizenship, says Trump violated the Constitution, https://www.peoplesworld.org/article/appeals-court-upholds-birthright-citizenship-says-trump-violated-the-constitution/
[3] Appeals Court Blocks California’s Background Checks for Ammunition Buyers, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/24/us/california-ammunition-background-check-appeal.html

3.3. DOJ Politicization and Controversial Appointments

The Department of Justice has launched a “‘strike force’” to investigate Obama-era officials in connection with the 2016 election [1], an action pursuing President Trump’s public accusations against his predecessor. The narrative, pushed by DNI Tulsi Gabbard, faces significant pushback, with the AP reporting that her claims of an anti-Trump conspiracy “are not supported by declassified documents” [2]. In a high-profile appointment, Alina Habba, a lawyer closely associated with the President, is reportedly set to become the Acting U.S. Attorney in New Jersey [3].

References:
[1] DOJ launches ‘strike force’ to investigate Obama officials over 2016 election, https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5417520-justice-department-investigates-election/
[2] Gabbard’s claims of an anti-Trump conspiracy are not supported by declassified documents, https://apnews.com/article/gabbard-russia-2016-steele-dossier-0452e1079506daa86d75fa0a2f22fc60
[3] Alina Habba Is Set to Become Acting U.S. Attorney in New Jersey, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/24/nyregion/alina-habba-desiree-grace-new-jersey-us-attorney.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

4. Congressional Affairs & Electoral Landscape

4.1. 2026 Election Landscape Takes Shape

Key developments are altering the landscape for future elections. In the battleground state of Wisconsin, Democratic Governor Tony Evers has announced he will not seek a third term, opening up a highly competitive race [1]. In North Carolina, RNC Chair Michael Whatley announced his candidacy for Senate with President Trump’s support, after Lara Trump chose not to seek the seat [2]. In New York, Governor Kathy Hochul is reportedly considering redrawing the state’s congressional map, potentially in response to a “Trump push in Texas” on redistricting [3].

References:
[1] Wisconsin’s Democratic Gov. Tony Evers won’t seek a third term in 2026, https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2025/07/24/wisconsin-democratic-gov-tony-evers-wont-seek-re-election-in-2026/84246291007/
[2] RNC chair Michael Whatley to run for Senate in North Carolina with Trump’s support; The president’s daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, chose not to seek the seat., https://www.politico.com/news/2025/07/24/whatley-senate-north-carolina-trump-00473419
[3] Gov. Hochul considers redrawing New York’s congressional map after Trump push in Texas, https://gothamist.com/news/gov-hochul-considers-redrawing-new-yorks-congressional-map-after-trump-push-in-texas

4.2. Legislative Inactivity and Deference to White House

The 119th Congress continues to be defined by low legislative output, with one outlet labeling it “Donald Trump’s ‘do nothing Congress’” [1]. In a sign of deference to the executive on foreign policy, the Senate has reportedly pulled back on a new round of Russia sanctions, a decision described as “deferring to Trump” [2].

References:
[1] Donald Trump’s ‘do nothing Congress’ is one of the least productive ever, https://www.newsweek.com/donald-trump-least-productive-congress-laws-2102819
[2] Deferring to Trump, Senate Pulls Back on New Russia Sanctions, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/23/us/politics/trump-putin-russia-sanctions-senate.html

5. Foreign Policy & Global Standing

The U.S. is undertaking a significant strategic shift in the Middle East, with both Israel and the United States jointly withdrawing from Gaza ceasefire talks with Hamas [1]. In a related move, the administration announced that it will skip an upcoming United Nations conference focused on a two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict [2]. The administration’s aggressive trade posture also continues to generate friction, with American car companies reportedly “pissed” about a new trade agreement with Japan [3]. Concurrently, the nation’s international standing shows signs of strain; a Pew Research Center study finds that Canadians’ opinions of the U.S. “are at or near historic lows” [4], and a separate report notes the U.S. has “slipped again” in international passport power rankings [5].

References:
[1] Israel and the U.S. Withdraw From Talks With Hamas, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/24/us/politics/israel-us-hamas-talks.html
[2] US will skip UN conference on 2-state solution for Israel, Palestine, https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5419094-us-un-conference-israel-palestine/
[3] American Car Companies Are Pissed About Trump’s Japan Trade Deal, https://newrepublic.com/post/198401/us-automakers-trump-japan-trade-deal-cars-tariffs
[4] Canadians’ opinions of the U.S. and its president are at or near historic lows, https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/07/24/canadians-opinions-of-the-us-and-its-president-are-at-or-near-historic-lows/
[5] US slips again in passport power rankings, https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/22/travel/world-most-powerful-passports-july-2025

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