Maurene Comey, girl of erstwhile FBI head James Comey, fired arsenic national prosecutor

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Jonathan Dienst, Ryan J. Reilly and Nnamdi Egwuonwu
Longtime Justice Department lawyer Maurene Comey, nan girl of erstwhile FBI Director James Comey, was terminated arsenic an adjunct U.S. atorney successful nan Southern District of New York, 4 sources acquainted pinch nan matter confirmed to NBC News.
She served successful nan domiciled for much than a decade, according to her LinkedIn page.
A root acquainted pinch nan termination said Comey was fired pursuant to "Article 2." Article 2 of nan Constitution outlines nan president's expertise to appoint national officials crossed nan 3 branches of government.
Politico first reported Comey's firing.
Comey had been progressive successful high-profile prosecutions successful caller years, including a lawsuit against Sean "Diddy Combs" this year, arsenic good arsenic nan prosecutions of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
Trump faces backlash complete a Justice Department memo outlining a determination to nary longer merchandise further accusation related to Epstein's lawsuit and refuting nan beingness of a "client list" of group who benefited from Epstein's activity crimes.
Sen. Tina Smith hospitalized 'out of an abundance of caution' aft seeing Capitol physician

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Frank Thorp V, Brennan Leach and Zoë Richards
Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn., is undergoing an overnight introspection astatine George Washington University Hospital successful Washington “out of an abundance of caution” aft having felt unwell, her agency said.
“While astatine activity astatine nan Capitol today, Sen. Smith started to not consciousness well. She went to nan Capitol expert who recommended she acquisition much thorough introspection astatine GW hospital,” her agency said successful a statement. “Out of an abundance of caution, they are keeping her overnight for observation. She expects to beryllium backmost astatine activity very soon.”
Smith, 67, missed each amendment ballot during today’s rescissions package vote-a-rama.
The Senate has been slow moving done amendment votes for a rescissions package to codify cuts to PBS, NPR and world wellness programs. Voting sewage underway this afternoon.
Oregon man charged aft guns, knives, front and arrow recovered successful conveyance adjacent U.S. Capitol

Zoë Richards and Frank Thorp V
U.S. Capitol Police coming arrested an Oregon man connected suspicion of possession of a assortment of unlicensed weapons adjacent nan Capitol, nan agency said successful a news release.
Nolan R. Churan, 23, faces aggregate charges aft a hunt of what officers said was his position wagon revealed a rifle, a handgun and aggregate rounds of ammunition. Officers said they besides recovered aggregate knives, axes, a halberd, a rapier beard and a front and arrow.
Police searched nan car aft they recovered it parked successful an area reserved for legislature unit members without a required parking licence and Churan told them that he had guns successful his car, constabulary alleged.
The charges see carrying weapons, including a pistol, firearm and sword, without a license; possession of a high-capacity ammunition feeding device; and having an unregistered firearm and ammunition.
Capitol Police said successful nan merchandise that they were investigating what Churan was doing connected Capitol grounds, adding that "there does not look to beryllium a nexus to nan Congress.”
GOP senators sound interest astir $9B spending trim measure they opportunity they will ballot for
Sahil Kapur and Frank Thorp V
Reporting from Washington
Some cardinal Senate Republicans are expressing superior reservations astir a package of spending cuts Trump requested arsenic they tube toward a last ballot arsenic soon arsenic this evening.
But respective of them opportunity they’ll still ballot for nan bill, which would slash $9 cardinal successful antecedently approved backing for overseas assistance and nan Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which costs NPR and PBS.
The Senate began voting coming connected amendments to nan rescissions package, 1 time aft having precocious it in a paper-thin ballot of 51-50, pinch Vice President JD Vance breaking a tie. Three Republicans — Susan Collins, of Maine; Lisa Murkowski, of Alaska; and Mitch McConnell, of Kentucky — voted pinch Democrats against nan measure.
All 3 are elder members of nan Appropriations Committee and complained, among different things, that nan White House has not provided specifications astir really it would instrumentality nan cuts.
Read nan afloat communicative here.
JD Vance urges Republican voters to ‘talk to your friends’ astir nan ‘big, beautiful bill’
Reporting from West Pittston, Pa.
Vice President JD Vance coming gave an early glimpse of nan statement Republicans will dress up of nan 2026 midterm elections while touting nan megabill nan White House pushed done Congress.
In a 20-minute reside successful northeast Pennsylvania, Vance urged nan assemblage to go chap evangelists for what he called nan “big, beautiful bill” successful conversations pinch family and friends.
Vance supplied nan talking points he wants them to use, describing really workers astatine nan instrumentality shop that hosted his quality will no longer salary taxes connected overtime pay.
Vance was silent astir little celebrated facets of what had been a astir 900-page bill. He did not mention, for example, steep cuts to Medicaid, which provides wellness sum to low-income people. A study published coming in JAMA Health Forum found that nan cuts could lead to 1,000 much deaths a year.
Read nan afloat communicative here.
House speaker saying he’s 'not really sure' if Trump has nan authority to occurrence Powell

Kyle Stewart and Zoë Richards
House Speaker Mike Johnson said coming he wasn't definite whether Trump has nan authority to occurrence Powell.
A reported asked Johnson, R-La., whether Trump could occurrence Powell. "I’m really not sure," he said.
"I person been not happy pinch nan activity location personally. But I’m honestly not judge whether that executive authority exists. I’d person to look astatine that," he added.
Pressed astir whether Trump should occurrence Powell, Johnson advocated for caller activity astatine nan cardinal bank.
"I judge caller activity would beryllium adjuvant astatine nan Fed, and I judge liking rates request to beryllium adjusted. And you cognize I work together pinch nan president’s appraisal connected immoderate of those decisions," he added.
The Trump management has precocious highlighted nan costs of renovations to nan Federal Reserve’s Washington office arsenic imaginable grounds for Powell’s being fired.
Trump said yesterday "I deliberation it benignant of is" erstwhile he was asked whether nan renewal task was origin for dismissing Powell.
Powell has defended nan renovations, saying he takes “seriously our work arsenic stewards of nan public’s money.”
Trump says he has afloat assurance successful AG Bondi and FBI amid fallout complete Epstein files

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Garrett Haake, Sarah Dean and Zoë Richards
Trump said this day that he has complete assurance successful Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI leadership, moreover arsenic his management faces backlash from some of his supporters who are disappointment complete nan Justice Department's handling of nan Epstein case.
Asked by NBC News whether he had assurance successful FBI activity and Bondi, who was absent from a fentanyl trafficking-related measure signing arena astatine nan White House, Trump said he did.
Asked astir appointing a typical counsel to reappraisal nan Epstein investigation, Trump said: "I person thing to do pinch it."
The Trump management has faced disapproval from supporters complete nan Justice Department's handling of Epstein's files aft he died successful situation successful 2019.
Trump played a domiciled successful fanning conspiracy theories related to Epstein connected nan run way past year, but he has since sought to region himself from nan investigation, and he disavowed supporters who “bought into this bulls---” on Truth Social this morning.
Trump signs measure targeting fentanyl trafficking


Gabe Gutierrez
Zoë Richards and Gabe Gutierrez
Trump has signed a bipartisan measurement aimed astatine tackling fentanyl trafficking and making it easier for rule enforcement to prosecute offenses tied to fentanyl knockoffs.
"It's really an honor. Very important, one of nan much important things that we'll ever sign, I suspect," he said.
The authorities permanently classifies illicit fentanyl-related substances arsenic Schedule I nether nan Controlled Substances Act. Before nan measure signing, nan Schedule I classification for those substances was group to expire Sept. 30.
Attorney General Pam Bondi absent from fentanyl-related measure signing event


Gabe Gutierrez
Zoë Richards and Gabe Gutierrez
Trump is signing a measure successful nan East Room this day aimed astatine tackling nan fentanyl crisis, including steeper penalties for supplier traffickers, and Bondi appears to beryllium notably absent.
Trump did not admit her successful his opening remarks.
The arena includes astir 200 attendees, including lawmakers, organizations focused connected ending nan fentanyl situation and Americans who person mislaid loved ones to nan drug.
John Cornyn appeals to Trump arsenic he faces superior headwinds

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Bridget Bowman, Ben Kamisar, Olympia Sonnier, Melanie Zanona and Julie Tsirkin
Trump has a Texas-sized conundrum connected his hands arsenic Republicans hole for a Senate superior successful nan state, pinch GOP Sen. John Cornyn making his lawsuit for nan White House to get progressive arsenic he tries to fend disconnected a situation from authorities Attorney General Ken Paxton.
But, truthful far, Trump is staying connected nan sidelines.
Read nan afloat communicative here.
A meal betwixt Fed's Powell and GOP members of nan House Financial Services Committee has been canceled
A meal betwixt Powell and Republicans connected nan House Financial Services Committee scheduled for coming has been canceled, a committee spokesperson said, citing “uncertainty astir level activity.”
“This was a antecedently scheduled meal months agone and was canceled owed to uncertainty astir level activity today,” Brooke Nethercott, a spokesperson for committee Republicans, told NBC News successful a statement.
The House level schedule depends wholly connected whether Republicans tin walk a regular procedural norm to let crypto authorities to travel to nan floor. So ballot timing for nan remainder of nan time is not group yet.
GOP Sen. Hawley connected Epstein files: 'Make it each public'

Brennan LeachBrennan Leach is an subordinate shaper for NBC News covering nan Senate.

Dareh Gregorian
Brennan Leach and Dareh Gregorian
Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., called for nan Justice Department to make much accusation connected nan Epstein lawsuit nationalist and said he's unfastened to having nan precocious convicted activity offender's co-defendant attest astatine a Senate hearing.
"I thought what nan president said yesterday, I deliberation it was yesterday, was right. I deliberation he said nan lawyer wide ought to merchandise immoderate she thinks is reliable and due to release. That is precisely nan correct answer," Hawley told reporters.
He called nan claims successful a associated DOJ-FBI memo that were was nary grounds of immoderate customer database "kind of difficult to believe."
"My position is make nationalist everything you tin make public," Hawley said. "Let's make it each nationalist and get it retired there."
Asked if Epstein's co-defendant Ghislaine Maxwell should attest earlier nan Senate Judiciary Committee, Hawley said, "Why not put her nether oath?" "I deliberation that could beryllium good," he added.
Despite Trump's pleas for group to move connected from what he called nan "Epstein hoax" earlier today, his supporters are still demanding much information.
Right-wing activistic Laura Loomer, a adjacent Trump ally, told Politico she didn't want nan contention to “consume his presidency” and urged him to return action.
“Obviously, this is not a complete hoax fixed nan truth that Ghislaine Maxwell is presently serving 20 years successful situation successful Florida for her crimes and activities pinch Jeffrey Epstein, who we cognize is simply a convicted intersexual predator,” Loomer told nan site. “This is why I said, and I’ll reiterate it again, nan champion point that nan president tin do is name a typical counsel to grip nan Epstein files investigation.”
Vance touts GOP bill's effect connected newborns
Vance promoted a proviso of nan GOP fund measure that creates savings accounts for children pinch a $1,000 deposit.
"I deliberation that's a very large deal," Vance said. He criticized Democrats, characterizing them arsenic voting against money for children.
Vance concluded aft speaking for astir 20 minutes.

Vance kicks disconnected reside successful Pennsylvania
Vance began delivering remarks successful Pennsylvania that will halfway astir nan "One Big Beautiful" act.
He kicked disconnected his reside touting nan administration's stance connected separator security.
Supreme Court temporarily blocks ruling that would undermine Voting Rights Act
The Supreme Court, successful a little bid issued by Justice Brett Kavanaugh, has temporarily blocked an appeals tribunal ruling that would gut a cardinal proviso of nan Voting Rights Act.
The administrative enactment puts nan determination by nan 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals connected clasp a time earlier it was owed to spell into effect, giving nan justices much clip to determine what adjacent steps to take.
The lawsuit successful mobility concerns a situation by Native American tribes to a North Dakota authorities legislative territory representation that they declare violates nan landmark 1965 voting authorities law, which protects number voters.
But nan appeals tribunal ruled that backstage plaintiffs for illustration nan tribes cannot writer to enforce Section 2 of nan law, an mentation that would person far-reaching effects. If nan Supreme Court were to clasp that approach, it would mean only nan national authorities could bring specified claims.
Trump, who appointed Powell, says he was ‘surprised’ he was named Fed chair
Trump said he was "surprised" that Powell had been nominated to beryllium chair of nan Federal Reserve.
"I was amazed he was appointed," Trump said. "I was surprised, frankly, that Biden put him successful and extended him."
However, Trump himself initially nominated Powell to lead nan Fed successful 2017. Biden renominated Powell successful 2021.
Trump defends Bondi’s handling of Epstein: ‘What much tin she do?’
Trump defended Attorney General Pam Bondi's handling of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, saying "she's done very good."
"She says, 'I gave you each nan reliable information.' And if she finds immoderate much reliable information, she'll springiness that too." Trump said to reporters successful nan Oval Office. "What much tin she do than that? I mean, honestly, what much tin she do?"
The president besides doubled down connected his Truth Social station this greeting disavowing supporters pushing for much transparency connected Epstein.
Asked if he was efficaciously disowning these supporters, Trump said, "I've mislaid a batch of religion successful definite people, yeah."
Trump based on that rumors astir Epstein were "perpetrated by nan Democrats and immoderate stupid Republicans." Many MAGA supporters person pushed for nan release of files related to Epstein.
"The sad portion is, it's group that are really doing nan Democrats work. They're stupid people," Trump said.
Trump denies he is readying to occurrence Powell but confirms he said astir it pinch lawmakers
Megan Lebowitz and Rob Wile
Asked whether he would occurrence Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, Trump said Powell "has ever been excessively late."
"I deliberation he does a unspeakable job," Trump said.
"He's doing a lousy job. But no, I'm not talking astir that. We get, fortunately, we get to make a alteration successful nan next, what, 8 months aliases so, and we'll prime personification that's good," Trump said, referring to Powell's word ending adjacent year.
The president, though, confirmed he talked astir firing Powell pinch lawmakers yesterday, adding that they were successful favour of firing nan chair.
"I talked astir nan conception of firing him. I said, 'What do you think?'" Trump said. "Almost each 1 of them said I should."
A elder White House charismatic told NBC News that nan president indicated to a room of lawmakers yesterday that he will soon apt occurrence Powell. The White House charismatic said that nan lawmakers successful nan room expressed support for firing Powell.
Powell has many times said for months that he will not time off nan cardinal slope if nan president tries to occurrence him aliases orders him to leave.
Bahrain crown prince says they are making billions successful deals coming to nan U.S.
Bahrain Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa announced that location would beryllium $17 cardinal successful deals betwixt nan 2 countries.
"This is real," he said, adding, "These aren't clone deals."
Bahrain crown prince arrives astatine nan White House
Bahrain Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa was greeted by Trump astatine nan White House.
The 2 men waved to nan property earlier heading inside. They did not reply shouted questions.
Trump disavows supporters pushing Jeffrey Epstein ‘bulls---‘: ‘I don’t want their support anymore!’
Trump disowned his supporters who person called for nan merchandise of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, chiding them this greeting arsenic “weaklings” who “bought into this bulls---.”
The lengthy station on Truth Social represents the clearest split from nan faction of his MAGA guidelines that has questioned nan Justice Department’s handling of nan case.
Read nan afloat communicative here.
Capitol Police detain man pinch guns, front and arrow successful vehicle
Frank Thorp V and Dareh Gregorian
A man who admitted to having guns and a front and arrow successful his conveyance was detained this greeting conscionable steps from nan U.S. Capitol, constabulary said.
U.S. Capitol Police said successful a connection that they questioned nan owner, who was wearing a greenish jumpsuit and cowboy hat, aft officers "saw an different conveyance connected Pennsylvania Avenue pinch tri-cycle strapped to nan roof."
"Upon looking closer, officers saw a front and arrow and quiet weapon holster successful plain view," nan connection said.
The owner, who was not instantly identified, was recovered extracurricular nan northbound barricade and detained for questioning, constabulary said. He admitted to having guns successful nan vehicle, successful summation to nan front and arrow, according to police, who said charges are pending.
Democratic Sen. Ruben Gallego tries to unit ballot connected releasing Epstein files
Reporting from Washington
Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., is introducing a resolution calling connected nan Justice Department to merchandise its files related to nan Jeffrey Epstein probe.
The resolution, obtained first by NBC News, is nonbinding, meaning moreover if passed nan DOJ is not obligated to merchandise nan documents.
But Gallego’s move illustrates Democrats’ efforts to item a uncommon rift betwixt Trump and his MAGA guidelines complete nan administration's handling of nan Epstein case.
The solution states successful part: “Expressing nan consciousness of nan Senate that nan Department of Justice should merchandise appropriate, non-sensitive materials related to nan investigation of Jeffery Epstein to reconstruct nationalist trust, affirm organization accountability, and forestall nan politicization of justice.”
Senators will measurement nan solution down nan scenes to find if location is consent from each 100 senators to move forward. If location is an objection, Republicans could beryllium forced to raise it publically connected nan floor.
In nan House, Reps. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and Ro Khanna, D-Calif., are besides trying to unit a vote to require nan DOJ to merchandise nan Epstein files.
Like different Democrats, Gallego is fundraising disconnected nan issue. He put retired an entreaty to supporters complete nan play calling connected nan management to “release nan [Epstein] database and region each doubt”.
“We’ve each been watching this chaos astir Jeffrey Epstein, Donald Trump, nan FBI, and nan DOJ complete nan past week. They’re astatine each other’s throats, tearing each different isolated astir Epstein’s database — and I get it,” Gallego said.
Joe Rogan mocks Trump admin’s consequence to Epstein files
Trump is facing unprecedented disapproval from his biggest supporters complete nan Justice Department’s handling of files related to convicted activity offender Jeffrey Epstein and Attorney General Pam Bondi’s determination not to merchandise nan files. It comes arsenic Joe Rogan, a podcaster and influential Trump ally, mocked nan administration’s response. NBC’s Gabe Gutierrez reports for "TODAY."
Donald Trump Jr. rings NYSE opening doorbell arsenic online weapon institution goes public
Donald Trump Jr. rang nan New York Stock Exchange's opening doorbell this greeting arsenic GrabAGun, an online weapon retailer, went public.
In nan latest illustration of a Trump family personnel expanding their businesses during his presidency, his eldest boy joined nan committee of nan institution yesterday. The online retailer's debut is besides backed by 1789 Capital, a backstage equity patient astatine which Trump Jr. is simply a partner and which useful pinch MAGA-aligned companies.
GrabAGun's shares will waste and acquisition connected nan NYSE nether nan ticker awesome "PEW," which Trump Jr. described successful an question and reply arsenic nan sound of shooting a gun.
The NYSE's genitor company, Intercontinental Exchange, is led by Jeffrey Sprecher, who is joined to Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler.
Trump management demands Israel analyse ‘terrorist’ sidesplitting of American successful nan West Bank
Trump management restarts third-country deportations pinch formation to Eswatini
The Department of Homeland Security resumed third-country deportation flights yesterday by deporting 5 migrant detainees, each from different countries, to nan mini federation of Eswatini successful confederate Africa.
The 5 men from Vietnam, Laos, Jamaica, Cuba and Yemen person criminal backgrounds ranging from execution to intersexual assault, according to a societal media station by nan DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin.
Read nan afloat communicative here.
Trump says he flipped votes connected cryptocurrency bill
Trump said successful a Truth Social station past nighttime that he met pinch a group of House lawmakers who agreed to ballot to beforehand authorities that would modulate cryptocurrency.
"I americium successful nan Oval Office pinch 11 of nan 12 Congressmen/women basal to walk nan GENIUS Act and, aft a short discussion, they person each agreed to ballot tomorrow greeting successful favour of nan Rule," Trump said successful nan post.
The bipartisan measure passed nan Senate past month.
"Speaker of nan House Mike Johnson was astatine nan gathering via telephone, and looks guardant to taking nan Vote arsenic early arsenic possible," Trump added. "I want to convey nan Congressmen/women for their speedy and affirmative response."
Trump to meet pinch leaders of Bahrain and Qatar
Trump will meet coming pinch leaders of 2 Middle Eastern nations, Bahrain and Qatar.
Trump will meet nan crown prince and premier curate of Bahrain, a mini land nation, this morning. The leaders will besides person lunch.
In nan evening, Trump will dine pinch nan premier curate of Qatar. Qatar has played a awesome domiciled successful hosting conversations complete nan warfare successful Gaza.
Vance travels to Pennsylvania to waste GOP's 'One Big Beautiful Bill'
Vance will deed nan roadworthy coming successful an effort to waste Americans on nan alleged One Big Beautiful Bill.
The vice president will present remarks successful West Pittston, Pennsylvania, conscionable astir a 20 infinitesimal thrust from erstwhile President Joe Biden's birthplace, Scranton.
Vance's travel comes arsenic Republicans effort to statement up support for nan legislation, which had support from only 35% of adults, according to an Economist/YouGov canvass conducted early this month.
Trump says Powell’s domiciled successful nan Fed’s office renewal ‘sort of is’ a fireable discourtesy
Trump said past nighttime that he thinks Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell could beryllium fired complete nan cardinal bank’s office renewal moving complete budget.
Asked by a newsman astir whether nan renewal task was origin for dismissing Powell, Trump said: “I deliberation it benignant of is.”
The Trump management has precocious focused connected nan costs of nan renovations to reason Powell should beryllium fired. National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett said Sunday that Trump’s authority to occurrence Powell was “being looked into.”
Powell has defended the renovations, saying he takes “seriously our work arsenic stewards of nan public’s money.”
Former DNC chair Jaime Harrison launches a podcast — and invites Hunter Biden arsenic an early guest
Former Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison is stepping backmost into nan governmental arena pinch a caller podcast arsenic he — and his statement — look to bounce backmost from losing nan White House past year.
In a wide-ranging speech pinch NBC News up of nan motorboat of nan podcast, Harrison framed himself arsenic unshackled from nan “straitjacket” of nan sensitivities of starring nan nationalist statement and based on that 1 measurement Democrats tin rebuild spot pinch Americans is by embracing their much authentic selves.
“We request much voices that are anchored successful nan Democratic Party, because immoderate of nan podcasts that are retired location are much often criticizing nan Democratic Party alternatively of really promoting nan assets and nan leaders that we have,” he said.
The early episodes of “At Our Table” characteristic interviews pinch 3 well-known statement leaders: Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn. But nan roster of Harrison’s first guests besides includes Hunter Biden — nan boy of Joe Biden whose business dealings, supplier addiction and ineligible woes were portion of nan governmental attacks connected nan erstwhile president. Biden's decision to pardon his son aft he was recovered blameworthy connected 3 felony weapon charges besides drew condemnation crossed nan governmental spectrum.
Read nan afloat communicative here.
Adelita Grijalva wins Democratic superior to win her precocious begetter successful Arizona House district
Arizona Democrats person nominated Adelita Grijalva, girl of nan precocious Rep. Raúl Grijalva, to capable his erstwhile spot successful a September typical election, The Associated Press projects.
Grijalva, a erstwhile personnel of nan Pima County Board of Supervisors, won yesterday’s typical Democratic superior up of Deja Foxx, a 25-year-old activist, and erstwhile authorities Rep. Daniel Hernandez.
Read nan afloat communicative here.
Senate Republicans narrowly beforehand Trump’s $9 cardinal spending trim package

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Sahil Kapur, Frank Thorp V and Gabrielle Khoriaty