Mark Levin: Republicans ‘can't waste our time on Epstein'
In an interview with Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on 'Life, Liberty & Levin,' the conservative host urged Johnson to focus the GOP message on the achievements of the Trump administration with Republican control in Congress.
'We have a lot to run on and you have a lot to run against, given the other party. But I will tell you this: We better be united, we better be strong, we better be focused, we better be articulate,' Levin said to the Republican House leader.
'We can't waste our time on Epstein and other stuff that are going on here, that some people want us to focus on. I about had it with all that stuff,' he continued.
'We better focus on who we are, what we're doing, where we want to take the country, and what they want to do to the country.'
The Trump administration has faced growing calls from his base of supporters for greater transparency on the Epstein case and for the government to release more information on the disgraced financier, who was charged with sex trafficking crimes before he died by suicide in his jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial.
Trump has expressed clear frustration at his supporters' focus on the case and has sought to redirect their focus on Democrats, asking why past administrations didn't release more information on Epstein if there was a 'smoking gun.'
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Hamilton Spectator
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- Hamilton Spectator
Lula says the US has ignored Brazil's attempts to negotiate Trump's announced tariff
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Hamilton Spectator
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The Latest: Trump signs bill canceling $9 billion in public broadcasting funding and foreign aid
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Jeanne Shaheen, voted with all Republicans except Paul to push the nomination to the Senate floor. Shaheen's support came as a surprise as many thought that Paul's opposition would tank Waltz's nomination, dealing another blow to the White House over a position they have failed to fill for the past six months. The New Hampshire lawmaker defended her decision, saying in a statement that while she disagrees with Waltz on some issues, the alternatives to his nomination could fare worse for U.S. foreign policy. 'He represents a moderating force within the administration. He has a distinguished record of military service, and he has an extensive background in national security policy,' Shaheen said. Senate Republicans quash Democratic bid to force release of Epstein files It was the latest attempt by Democrats on Capitol Hill to force Republicans to vote for greater disclosure of the Epstein files, yet notably, the first time many Republicans in the Senate had to take a stand on the issue. For now, they voted against forcing the release of the case files. The vote unfolded Thursday morning with tense exchanges as the Senate Judiciary Committee prepared to advance a bill meant to address opioid trafficking. Democratic Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey offered an amendment to the bill that would have kept it from going into effect until the Epstein files are released. But Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas successfully stymied that effort by offering a separate amendment that nullified Booker's. While some Republicans have indicated they're open to a debate on forcing more disclosure, Cornyn said he trusted Attorney General Pam Bondi to handle the matter. Republicans on the committee all voted for Cornyn's amendment, while Democrats voted against, saying, 'No on concealing the Epstein files.' A replica Oval Office on display near the White House just got a Trump makeover The replica Oval Office now looks exactly like President Trump's. 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The mock-up is inside 'The People's House: A White House Experience,' an educational center the association opened last year one block west of the Executive Mansion. ▶ Read more about the replica Oval Office House subcommittee voted to subpoena Justice Department for Epstein files A House subcommittee voted to subpoena the Department of Justice for files in the Epstein case after Democrats successfully goaded GOP lawmakers to defy Trump and Republican leadership to support the action. The vote showed the intensifying push for disclosures in the Epstein investigation even as House Speaker Mike Johnson — caught between demands from Trump and clamoring from his own members for the House to act — was sending lawmakers home a day early for its August recess. Meanwhile, Democrats on a subcommittee of the powerful House Oversight Committee made a motion for the subpoena Wednesday afternoon. Three Republicans on the panel voted with Democrats for the subpoena, sending it through on an 8-2 vote tally. Democrats cheered the action as proof that their push for disclosures in the Epstein investigation was growing stronger. The committee agreed to redact information on victims, yet Democrats successfully blocked a push by Republicans to only subpoena information that was deemed to be 'credible' — language that Trump has also used when discussing what he would support releasing. ▶Read more about the subpoena Bondi facing Democratic calls to testify following report she told Trump he was in Epstein files Bondi is facing Democratic calls to testify before Congress after the Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday that she told Trump his name was among many high-profile figures mentioned in the files, which the Justice Department this month said it would not be releasing despite a clamor from online sleuths, conspiracy theorists and members of Trump's base. Trump's personal ties to Epstein are well-established and his name is already known to have been included in records related to the wealthy financier. Sen. Adam Schiff responded to the report by calling on Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee. The Justice Department declined to comment on the report but issued a joint statement from Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche saying that investigators had reviewed the records and 'nothing in the files warranted further investigation or prosecution.' The mere inclusion of a person's name in Epstein's files does not imply wrongdoing and he was known to have been associated with multiple prominent figures, including Trump. ▶ Read more about the calls for Bondi to testify Senate Democratic Leader calls for closed-door briefing on the Epstein files Democrats aren't letting up on their calls for disclosure from the Trump administration on the sex trafficking investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer started the morning off with a speech calling for a closed-door briefing for senators from the Trump administration on the Epstein files. While the administration is unlikely to comply with the New York Democrat's demand, Democrats are pouncing on the issue and have found some success this week by daring Republicans to join them in votes to demand disclosure of the files. 'A good number of people voted for Trump because he promised to be their voice against the so-called deep state. But now they've seen he's very much part of that deep state. He's right in the middle of it,' Schumer said. Lara Trump says she's sitting out the North Carolina Senate race The president's daughter-in-law formally made her decision public Thursday in a post on X, as news of RNC Chair Michael Whatley's expected entrance into the race emerged. 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Company shares have mostly shed value since December, when UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot in midtown Manhattan on his way to the company's annual investor meeting. What to know about UnitedHealth Group The company's business covers more than 8 million people as the nation's largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans. The business has been under pressure in recent quarters due to rising care use and rate cuts. UnitedHealth also runs one of the nation's largest health insurance and pharmacy benefits management businesses. It also operates a growing Optum business that provides care and technology support. UnitedHealth says it is under a federal investigation and cooperating Shares of UnitedHealth Group dove early Thursday after the health care giant said it was under a Department of Justice investigation. The company said it has started complying with both criminal and civil requests from federal investigators and it was working cooperatively with them. '(UnitedHealth) has a long record of responsible conduct and effective compliance,' the company said in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing. Earlier this year, The Wall Street Journal said federal officials had launched a civil fraud investigation into how the company records diagnoses that lead to extra payments for its Medicare Advantage, or MA, plans. Those are privately run versions of the government's Medicare coverage program mostly for people ages 65 and over. ▶ Read more about the UnitedHealth federal investigation Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
CBS News
a minute ago
- CBS News
House Speaker Mike Johnson "very bullish" on GOP in midterms
House Speaker Mike Johnson told CBS News he's "absolutely convinced" Republicans will expand their narrow margin in the House in next year's midterms. "I am very bullish on election night '26. I'm absolutely convinced we're going to grow the House majority," Johnson told CBS News chief Washington correspondent Major Garrett on Wednesday. "It's not groundless optimism. It's going to be the result of a lot of hard work." Historically, the president's party almost always loses ground in the midterms right after a presidential race. The party that controls the White House has only managed to improve its edge in the House in a midterm election twice in the last 80 years, in 1998 and 2002. That trend is typically driven by backlash against the incumbent president — and over the last six months, President Trump's approval rating has slid from 53% to 42%, according to CBS News polling. But Johnson said he believes his party has opportunities to go on offense, pointing to the 13 House Democrats who represent districts that Mr. Trump won in 2024, versus three Republicans whose districts went for former Vice President Kamala Harris. He also noted demographic shifts in the 2024 race, which saw Mr. Trump make gains with Black and Latino voters. "I like those odds," Johnson said. Johnson also said a controversial plan by Texas Republicans to redraw the state's congressional districts "probably inures to our benefit," though he also said, "the jury's still out on that one" and "we're still awaiting the outcome." Johnson told CBS News on Wednesday the state's Republican Gov. Greg Abbott will "need to follow the law" and "be fair." Johnson predicted voters will "feel the benefits" of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The legislation extends trillions of dollars' worth of tax cuts, appropriates new funding for border security, and adds or expands work requirements for Medicaid and food stamps. Some 61% of U.S. adults disapprove of the law, according to a CBS News poll released Sunday. Some 47% of Americans believe it will hurt them and their families, versus 28% who say it won't have much of an effect on their families and only 25% who say it will help them. "I'm not surprised by those numbers, because they've gotten a steady diet of misinformation by most of the mainstream media and the Democrats," Johnson told CBS News. He predicted that the bill will serve as "jet fuel" for the economy, and pointed to an estimate by House Republicans that its tax provisions could deliver as much as $13,300 in extra take-home pay to the typical family. The White House's Council of Economic Advisers said in a report that a family with two children could see between $7,800 and $13,300 in additional take-home pay "in the long run" as a result of the bill. The nonpartisan Tax Policy Center found Americans from most income levels will see tax savings from the law next year, averaging $2,900 per household, though higher-income people will see a bigger impact. The group said $6 of every $10 in tax breaks will go to the top 20% of households, or people with incomes of about $217,000 or more. Asked if voters will hold Republicans accountable in the midterms for the bill's promised tax benefits, Johnson said: "They'll see it, and they will vote accordingly." Johnson also hailed a set of crypto bills that are moving through Congress. Last week, Mr. Trump signed into law the GENIUS Act, which creates a regulatory structure for stablecoins, a type of cryptocurrency pegged to the value of an asset like the U.S. dollar. Another bill that would set broader rules for digital assets, the CLARITY Act, is still pending. Johnson said of the crypto legislation: "It will spur on innovation and more investment. And I think it's going to be a big thing for the future." Separately, when asked about the prospect of a government shutdown when funding runs out at the end of September, the House speaker said he has "no interest in a shutdown." Johnson largely stood by Mr. Trump's trade strategy, as the president threatens dozens of countries with much higher tariffs unless they strike trade deals. He called Mr. Trump "the king of the art of the deal," and pointed to "unfair trade practices" by other countries. Many economists warn that higher tariffs could lead to steeper consumer prices and slower economic growth — though Mr. Trump has defended the strategy. "The sky was going to fall, everybody told us, and it hasn't," Johnson said. He also said Congress has traditionally "given a lot of latitude to the executive" to negotiate trade deals, amid concern from some lawmakers that Congress should be involved in major tax policy rather than deferring to the president on tariffs. And Johnson called allegations that House Republicans have been overly deferential to Mr. Trump "nonsense." He said he and Mr. Trump are "working as a unified government," but he discusses contentious issues with the president "behind the curtains."
