What to know today
- EPSTEIN FILES: President Donald Trump chided his supporters who have called for the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, calling them “weaklings” who “bought into this bulls---” in a lengthy Truth Social post and calling them “stupid people” later in the day.
- KEY PROSECUTOR FIRED: The Justice Department terminated Maurene Comey, the daughter of former FBI Director James Comey and a federal prosecutor in the cases against Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell and Sean Combs.
- GOP SPENDING CUTS: The Senate is expected to vote tonight on a $9.4 billion package of spending cuts that Trump requested. It would claw back previously approved funding for foreign aid and public broadcasting.
- POWELL UNDER FIRE: Trump bashed Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell during a bilateral meeting with the crown prince of Bahrain. Trump told reporters he was not planning to fire Powell, but he later confirmed he spoke with lawmakers about the possibility.
Artist says DHS used painting in a social media post without his permission
Morgan Weistling, known for his paintings that depict pastoral images of the American West from a bygone era, said this week that the Department of Homeland Security posted one of his pieces online with a different name and without his permission.
The artwork, titled “A Prayer for a New Life,” shows a mother and a father swaddling a baby in a covered wagon, backdropped by a prairie landscape. On Monday, DHS posted the work with the caption: "Remember your Homeland’s Heritage."
“I DID NOT give the DHS permission to use my painting in their recent postings on their official web platforms,” Weistling, who said he was on vacation when he noticed the post, wrote at the top of his website. “They used a painting I did 5 years ago and re-titled it and posted it without my permission. It is a violation of my copyright on the painting. It was a surprise to me and I am trying to gather how this happen and what to do next.”
Numerous comments underneath the DHS post tagged Weistling and asked whether the department had gotten permission to use the reproduction of his art.
A spokesperson for DHS told NBC News that "the title of the painting was an honest mistake," adding that it would not apologize for its use.
"This administration is unapologetically proud of American history and American heritage. Get used to it."
Five takeaways from the latest campaign fundraising reports: Totals raise questions about two key senators
Fundraising reports filed yesterday shed new light on the battle for control of Congress in the 2026 midterm elections, with some shows of strength and some warning signs for lawmakers facing tough races.
Republicans are defending the slimmest of majorities in the House and a majority in the Senate next year, and GOP candidates have struggled to compete with Democratic fundraising in recent election cycles.
The fundraising reports highlight candidates who are starting to prepare for competitive races and others who may be lagging. The most recent filings with the Federal Election Commission cover money raised and spent from April through June.
Maurene Comey, daughter of former FBI director James Comey, fired as federal prosecutor
Longtime Justice Department lawyer Maurene Comey, the daughter of former FBI Director James Comey, was terminated as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Southern District of New York, four sources familiar with the matter confirmed to NBC News.
She served in the role for more than a decade, according to her LinkedIn page.
It was not immediately clear why the DOJ fired her. A source familiar with the termination said Comey was fired pursuant to "Article 2." Article 2 of the Constitution outlines the president's ability to appoint federal officials across the three branches of government.
Politico first reported Comey's firing.
Comey had been involved in high-profile prosecutions in recent years, including a case against Sean "Diddy" Combs this year, as well as the prosecutions of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
Trump faces backlash over a Justice Department memo outlining a decision to no longer release additional information related to Epstein's case and refuting the existence of a "client list" of people who benefited from Epstein's sex crimes.
Sen. Tina Smith hospitalized 'out of an abundance of caution' after seeing Capitol physician
Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn., is undergoing an overnight examination at George Washington University Hospital in Washington “out of an abundance of caution” after having felt unwell, her office said.
“While at work at the Capitol today, Sen. Smith started to not feel well. She went to the Capitol physician who recommended she undergo more thorough examination at GW hospital,” her office said in a statement. “Out of an abundance of caution, they are keeping her overnight for observation. She expects to be back at work very soon.”
Smith, 67, missed every amendment vote during today’s rescissions package vote-a-rama.
The Senate has been slowly working through amendment votes for a rescissions package to codify cuts to PBS, NPR and world health programs. Voting got underway this afternoon.
Oregon man charged after guns, knives, bow and arrow found in vehicle near U.S. Capitol
U.S. Capitol Police today arrested an Oregon man on suspicion of possession of a variety of unlicensed weapons near the Capitol, the agency said in a news release.
Nolan R. Churan, 23, faces multiple charges after a search of what officers said was his station wagon revealed a rifle, a handgun and multiple rounds of ammunition. Officers said they also found multiple knives, axes, a halberd, a rapier sword and a bow and arrow.
Police searched the car after they found it parked in an area reserved for congressional staff members without a required parking permit and Churan told them that he had guns in his car, police alleged.
The charges include carrying weapons, including a pistol, rifle and sword, without a license; possession of a high-capacity ammunition feeding device; and having an unregistered firearm and ammunition.
Capitol Police said in the release that they were investigating what Churan was doing on Capitol grounds, adding that "there does not appear to be a nexus to the Congress.”
GOP senators voice concern about $9B spending cut bill they say they will vote for
Reporting from Washington
Some key Senate Republicans are expressing serious reservations about a package of spending cuts Trump requested as they barrel toward a final vote as soon as this evening.
But several of them say they’ll still vote for the bill, which would slash $9 billion in previously approved funding for foreign aid and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which funds NPR and PBS.
The Senate began voting today on amendments to the rescissions package, one day after having advanced it in a paper-thin vote of 51-50, with Vice President JD Vance breaking a tie. Three Republicans — Susan Collins, of Maine; Lisa Murkowski, of Alaska; and Mitch McConnell, of Kentucky — voted with Democrats against the measure.
All three are senior members of the Appropriations Committee and complained, among other things, that the White House has not provided details about how it would implement the cuts.
JD Vance urges Republican voters to ‘talk to your friends’ about the ‘big, beautiful bill’
Reporting from West Pittston, Pa.
Vice President JD Vance today gave an early glimpse of the argument Republicans will make ahead of the 2026 midterm elections while touting the megabill the White House pushed through Congress.
In a 20-minute speech in northeast Pennsylvania, Vance urged the audience to become fellow evangelists for what he called the “big, beautiful bill” in conversations with family and friends.
Vance supplied the talking points he wants them to use, describing how workers at the machine shop that hosted his appearance will no longer pay taxes on overtime pay.
Vance was silent about less popular facets of what had been a nearly 900-page bill. He did not mention, for example, steep cuts to Medicaid, which provides health coverage to low-income people. A report published today in JAMA Health Forum found that the cuts could lead to 1,000 more deaths a year.
House speaker saying he’s 'not really sure' if Trump has the authority to fire Powell
House Speaker Mike Johnson said today he wasn't certain whether Trump has the authority to fire Powell.
A reported asked Johnson, R-La., whether Trump could fire Powell. "I’m really not sure," he said.
"I have been not happy with the leadership there personally. But I’m honestly not sure whether that executive authority exists. I’d have to look at that," he added.
Pressed about whether Trump should fire Powell, Johnson advocated for new leadership at the central bank.
"I believe new leadership would be helpful at the Fed, and I believe interest rates need to be adjusted. And you know I agree with the president’s assessment on some of those decisions," he added.
The Trump administration has recently highlighted the cost of renovations to the Federal Reserve’s Washington headquarters as possible grounds for Powell’s being fired.
Trump said yesterday "I think it sort of is" when he was asked whether the renovation project was cause for dismissing Powell.
Powell has defended the renovations, saying he takes “seriously our responsibility as stewards of the public’s money.”
Trump says he has full confidence in AG Bondi and FBI amid fallout over Epstein files
Trump said this afternoon that he has complete confidence in Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI leadership, even as his administration faces backlash from some of his supporters who are frustrated over the Justice Department's handling of the Epstein case.
Asked by NBC News whether he had confidence in FBI leadership and Bondi, who was absent from a fentanyl trafficking-related bill signing event at the White House, Trump said he did.
Asked about appointing a special counsel to review the Epstein investigation, Trump said: "I have nothing to do with it."
The Trump administration has faced criticism from supporters over the Justice Department's handling of Epstein's files after he died in prison in 2019.
Trump played a role in fanning conspiracy theories related to Epstein on the campaign trail last year, but he has since sought to distance himself from the investigation, and he disavowed supporters who “bought into this bulls---” on Truth Social this morning.
Trump signs bill targeting fentanyl trafficking
Trump has signed a bipartisan measure aimed at tackling fentanyl trafficking and making it easier for law enforcement to prosecute offenses tied to fentanyl knockoffs.
"It's really an honor. Very important, one of the more important things that we'll ever sign, I suspect," he said.
The legislation permanently classifies illicit fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I under the Controlled Substances Act. Before the bill signing, the Schedule I classification for those substances was set to expire Sept. 30.
Attorney General Pam Bondi absent from fentanyl-related bill signing event
Trump is signing a bill in the East Room this afternoon aimed at tackling the fentanyl crisis, including steeper penalties for drug traffickers, and Bondi appears to be notably absent.
Trump did not acknowledge her in his opening remarks.
The event includes nearly 200 attendees, including lawmakers, organizations focused on ending the fentanyl crisis and Americans who have lost loved ones to the drug.
John Cornyn appeals to Trump as he faces primary headwinds
Trump has a Texas-sized conundrum on his hands as Republicans prepare for a Senate primary in the state, with GOP Sen. John Cornyn making his case for the White House to get involved as he tries to fend off a challenge from state Attorney General Ken Paxton.
But, so far, Trump is staying on the sidelines.
A dinner between Fed's Powell and GOP members of the House Financial Services Committee has been canceled
A dinner between Powell and Republicans on the House Financial Services Committee scheduled for tonight has been canceled, a committee spokesperson said, citing “uncertainty around floor activity.”
“This was a previously scheduled dinner months ago and was canceled due to uncertainty around floor activity today,” Brooke Nethercott, a spokesperson for committee Republicans, told NBC News in a statement.
The House floor schedule depends entirely on whether Republicans can pass a routine procedural rule to allow crypto legislation to come to the floor. So vote timing for the rest of the day is not set yet.
GOP Sen. Hawley on Epstein files: 'Make it all public'
Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., called for the Justice Department to make more information on the Epstein case public and said he's open to having the late convicted sex offender's co-defendant testify at a Senate hearing.
"I thought what the president said yesterday, I think it was yesterday, was right. I think he said the attorney general ought to release whatever she thinks is credible and appropriate to release. That is exactly the right answer," Hawley told reporters.
He called the claims in a joint DOJ-FBI memo that were was no evidence of any client list "kind of hard to believe."
"My view is make public everything you can make public," Hawley said. "Let's make it all public and get it out there."
Asked if Epstein's co-defendant Ghislaine Maxwell should testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Hawley said, "Why not put her under oath?" "I think that could be good," he added.
Despite Trump's pleas for people to move on from what he called the "Epstein hoax" earlier today, his supporters are still demanding more information.
Right-wing activist Laura Loomer, a close Trump ally, told Politico she didn't want the controversy to “consume his presidency” and urged him to take action.
“Obviously, this is not a complete hoax given the fact that Ghislaine Maxwell is currently serving 20 years in prison in Florida for her crimes and activities with Jeffrey Epstein, who we know is a convicted sexual predator,” Loomer told the site. “This is why I said, and I’ll reiterate it again, the best thing that the president can do is appoint a special counsel to handle the Epstein files investigation.”
Vance touts GOP bill's impact on newborns
Vance promoted a provision of the GOP budget bill that creates savings accounts for children with a $1,000 deposit.
"I think that's a very big deal," Vance said. He criticized Democrats, characterizing them as voting against money for children.
Vance concluded after speaking for about 20 minutes.
Vance kicks off speech in Pennsylvania
Vance began delivering remarks in Pennsylvania that will center around the "One Big Beautiful" act.
He kicked off his speech touting the administration's stance on border security.
Supreme Court temporarily blocks ruling that would undermine Voting Rights Act
The Supreme Court, in a brief order issued by Justice Brett Kavanaugh, has temporarily blocked an appeals court ruling that would gut a key provision of the Voting Rights Act.
The administrative stay puts the decision by the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on hold a day before it was due to go into effect, giving the justices more time to decide what next steps to take.
The case in question concerns a challenge by Native American tribes to a North Dakota state legislative district map that they claim violates the landmark 1965 voting rights law, which protects minority voters.
But the appeals court ruled that private plaintiffs like the tribes cannot sue to enforce Section 2 of the law, an interpretation that would have far-reaching effects. If the Supreme Court were to embrace that approach, it would mean only the federal government could bring such 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 be chair of the Federal Reserve.
"I was surprised he was appointed," Trump said. "I was surprised, frankly, that Biden put him in and extended him."
However, Trump himself initially nominated Powell to lead the Fed in 2017. Biden renominated Powell in 2021.
Trump defends Bondi’s handling of Epstein: ‘What more can 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 all the credible information.' And if she finds any more credible information, she'll give that too." Trump said to reporters in the Oval Office. "What more can she do than that? I mean, honestly, what more can she do?"
The president also doubled down on his Truth Social post this morning disavowing supporters pushing for more transparency on Epstein.
Asked if he was effectively disowning these supporters, Trump said, "I've lost a lot of faith in certain people, yeah."
Trump argued that rumors about Epstein were "perpetrated by the Democrats and some stupid Republicans." Many MAGA supporters have pushed for the release of files related to Epstein.
"The sad part is, it's people that are really doing the Democrats work. They're stupid people," Trump said.
Trump denies he is planning to fire Powell but confirms he spoke about it with lawmakers
Asked whether he would fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, Trump said Powell "has always been too late."
"I think he does a terrible job," Trump said.
"He's doing a lousy job. But no, I'm not talking about that. We get, fortunately, we get to make a change in the next, what, eight months or so, and we'll pick somebody that's good," Trump said, referring to Powell's term ending next year.
The president, though, confirmed he talked about firing Powell with lawmakers yesterday, adding that they were in favor of firing the chair.
"I talked about the concept of firing him. I said, 'What do you think?'" Trump said. "Almost every one of them said I should."
A senior White House official told NBC News that the president indicated to a room of lawmakers yesterday that he will soon likely fire Powell. The White House official said that the lawmakers in the room expressed approval for firing Powell.
Powell has repeatedly said for months that he will not leave the central bank if the president tries to fire him or orders him to leave.
Bahrain crown prince says they are making billions in deals coming to the U.S.
Bahrain Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa announced that there would be $17 billion in deals between the two countries.
"This is real," he said, adding, "These aren't fake deals."
Bahrain crown prince arrives at the White House
Bahrain Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa was greeted by Trump at the White House.
The two men waved to the press before heading inside. They did not answer shouted questions.
Trump disavows supporters pushing Jeffrey Epstein ‘bulls---‘: ‘I don’t want their support anymore!’
Trump disowned his supporters who have called for the release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, chiding them this morning as “weaklings” who “bought into this bulls---.”
The lengthy post on Truth Social represents the clearest split from the faction of his MAGA base that has questioned the Justice Department’s handling of the case.
Capitol Police detain man with guns, bow and arrow in vehicle
A man who admitted to having guns and a bow and arrow in his vehicle was detained this morning just steps from the U.S. Capitol, police said.
U.S. Capitol Police said in a statement that they questioned the owner, who was wearing a green jumpsuit and cowboy hat, after officers "saw an unusual vehicle on Pennsylvania Avenue with tri-cycle strapped to the roof."
"Upon looking closer, officers saw a bow and arrow and empty gun holster in plain view," the statement said.
The owner, who was not immediately identified, was found outside the north barricade and detained for questioning, police said. He admitted to having guns in the vehicle, in addition to the bow and arrow, according to police, who said charges are pending.
Democratic Sen. Ruben Gallego tries to force vote on releasing Epstein files
Reporting from Washington
Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., is introducing a resolution calling on the Justice Department to release its files related to the Jeffrey Epstein probe.
The resolution, obtained first by NBC News, is nonbinding, meaning even if passed the DOJ is not obligated to release the documents.
But Gallego’s move illustrates Democrats’ efforts to highlight a rare rift between Trump and his MAGA base over the administration's handling of the Epstein case.
The resolution states in part: “Expressing the sense of the Senate that the Department of Justice should release appropriate, non-sensitive materials related to the investigation of Jeffery Epstein to restore public trust, affirm institutional accountability, and prevent the politicization of justice.”
Senators will weigh the resolution behind the scenes to determine if there is consent from all 100 senators to move forward. If there is an objection, Republicans could be forced to raise it publicly on the floor.
In the House, Reps. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., and Ro Khanna, D-Calif., are also trying to force a vote to require the DOJ to release the Epstein files.
Like other Democrats, Gallego is fundraising off the issue. He put out an appeal to supporters over the weekend calling on the administration to “release the [Epstein] list and remove all doubt”.
“We’ve all been watching this chaos around Jeffrey Epstein, Donald Trump, the FBI, and the DOJ over the last week. They’re at each other’s throats, tearing each other apart about Epstein’s list — and I get it,” Gallego said.
Joe Rogan mocks Trump admin’s response to Epstein files
Trump is facing unprecedented criticism from his biggest supporters over the Justice Department’s handling of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and Attorney General Pam Bondi’s decision not to release the files. It comes as Joe Rogan, a podcaster and influential Trump ally, mocked the administration’s response. NBC’s Gabe Gutierrez reports for "TODAY."
Donald Trump Jr. rings NYSE opening bell as online gun company goes public
Donald Trump Jr. rang the New York Stock Exchange's opening bell this morning as GrabAGun, an online gun retailer, went public.
In the latest example of a Trump family member expanding their businesses during his presidency, his eldest son joined the board of the company yesterday. The online retailer's debut is also backed by 1789 Capital, a private equity firm at which Trump Jr. is a partner and which works with MAGA-aligned companies.
GrabAGun's shares will trade on the NYSE under the ticker symbol "PEW," which Trump Jr. described in an interview as the sound of shooting a gun.
The NYSE's parent company, Intercontinental Exchange, is led by Jeffrey Sprecher, who is married to Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler.
Trump administration demands Israel investigate ‘terrorist’ killing of American in the West Bank
Calling it a “criminal and terrorist act,” the U.S. ambassador to Israel has demanded the country “aggressively investigate” the killing of an American citizen who was beaten to death by Israeli settlers while visiting relatives in the occupied West Bank.
Sayfollah Musallet, known as Saif, was “brutally beaten to death” in the town of al-Mazra’a ash-Sharqiya, north of Ramallah on Friday, his family members said in a statement on social media and confirmed to NBC News. They said a group of settlers blocked an ambulance from reaching their loved one for about three hours and he died before he could get to a hospital.
Trump administration restarts third-country deportations with flight to Eswatini
The Department of Homeland Security resumed third-country deportation flights yesterday by deporting five immigrant detainees, all from different countries, to the small nation of Eswatini in southern Africa.
The five men from Vietnam, Laos, Jamaica, Cuba and Yemen have criminal backgrounds ranging from murder to sexual assault, according to a social media post by the DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin.
Trump says he flipped votes on cryptocurrency bill
Trump said in a Truth Social post last night that he met with a group of House lawmakers who agreed to vote to advance legislation that would regulate cryptocurrency.
"I am in the Oval Office with 11 of the 12 Congressmen/women necessary to pass the GENIUS Act and, after a short discussion, they have all agreed to vote tomorrow morning in favor of the Rule," Trump said in the post.
The bipartisan bill passed the Senate last month.
"Speaker of the House Mike Johnson was at the meeting via telephone, and looks forward to taking the Vote as early as possible," Trump added. "I want to thank the Congressmen/women for their quick and positive response."
Trump to meet with leaders of Bahrain and Qatar
Trump will meet today with leaders of two Middle Eastern nations, Bahrain and Qatar.
Trump will meet the crown prince and prime minister of Bahrain, a small island nation, this morning. The leaders will also have lunch.
In the evening, Trump will dine with the prime minister of Qatar. Qatar has played a major role in hosting conversations over the war in Gaza.
Vance travels to Pennsylvania to sell GOP's 'One Big Beautiful Bill'
Vance will hit the road today in an effort to sell Americans on the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill.
The vice president will deliver remarks in West Pittston, Pennsylvania, just about a 20 minute drive from former President Joe Biden's birthplace, Scranton.
Vance's trip comes as Republicans try to shore up support for the legislation, which had support from only 35% of adults, according to an Economist/YouGov poll conducted early this month.
Trump says Powell’s role in the Fed’s headquarters renovation ‘sort of is’ a fireable offense
Trump said last night that he thinks Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell could be fired over the central bank’s headquarters renovation running over budget.
Asked by a reporter about whether the renovation project was cause for dismissing Powell, Trump said: “I think it sort of is.”
The Trump administration has recently focused on the cost of the renovations to argue Powell should be fired. National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett said Sunday that Trump’s authority to fire Powell was “being looked into.”
Powell has defended the renovations, saying he takes “seriously our responsibility as stewards of the public’s money.”
Former DNC chair Jaime Harrison launches a podcast — and invites Hunter Biden as an early guest
Former Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison is stepping back into the political arena with a new podcast as he — and his party — look to bounce back from losing the White House last year.
In a wide-ranging conversation with NBC News ahead of the launch of the podcast, Harrison framed himself as unshackled from the “straitjacket” of the sensitivities of leading the national party and argued that one way Democrats can rebuild trust with Americans is by embracing their more authentic selves.
“We need more voices that are anchored in the Democratic Party, because some of the podcasts that are out there are more often criticizing the Democratic Party instead of really promoting the assets and the leaders that we have,” he said.
The early episodes of “At Our Table” feature interviews with three well-known party leaders: Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn. But the roster of Harrison’s first guests also includes Hunter Biden — the son of Joe Biden whose business dealings, drug addiction and legal woes were part of the political attacks on the former president. Biden's decision to pardon his son after he was found guilty on three felony gun charges also drew condemnation across the political spectrum.
Adelita Grijalva wins Democratic primary to succeed her late father in Arizona House district
Arizona Democrats have nominated Adelita Grijalva, daughter of the late Rep. Raúl Grijalva, to fill his former seat in a September special election, The Associated Press projects.
Grijalva, a former member of the Pima County Board of Supervisors, won yesterday’s special Democratic primary ahead of Deja Foxx, a 25-year-old activist, and former state Rep. Daniel Hernandez.
Senate Republicans narrowly advance Trump’s $9 billion spending cut package
Senate Republicans voted yesterday evening to advancing a package of spending cuts proposed by Trump as they race to pass the measure by a Friday deadline.
The procedural vote on the $9.4 billion rescissions package, which seeks to claw back previously approved funding for foreign aid and public broadcasting, passed 51-50, with Vice President JD Vance breaking a tie.