Have you been impacted by Trump and DOGE federal cuts? The Olympian wants to hear from you
DOGE says its aim is reforming government spending and systems. The department has slashed funding for many federal programs, leading to thousands of layoffs and canceled grants and contracts.
Journalists at The Olympian want to hear about how federal downsizing is impacting people who live in the area.
If you work for a government agency, a nonprofit, or another type of organization impacted by the cuts – please use our form below and tell us your story. You can also send an email to the Olympian newsroom at news@theolympian.com. Responses will be monitored and reviewed, and a reporter or editor may reach out for more details.
Any information you share with us is confidential, and will not be published without permission. You can also remain anonymous if you'd like. We adhere to the Society of Professional Journalists' code of ethics.
Here are other stories The Olympian has done on the impact of DOGE cuts and other Trump administration cuts:
Some 2,000 protesters blast Trump at President's Day protest: 'No billionaires, no kings'
Trump administration's reduction of federal workforce could hit hard in South Sound
WA's leaders blast Trump's 'dangerous' cuts to Bonneville Power Administration's staff
Here are stories about some statewide impacts:
Trump supports possibility of $5K stimulus checks. Will that money really come to WA?
Trump's federal hiring freeze could have a disastrous impact on national parks in summer
WA leads, joins 5 lawsuits against Trump: 'This person doesn't want to follow our laws'
WA joins lawsuit decrying DOGE and Elon Musk's role in government as 'unconstitutional'
WA, 21 other states sue Trump administration for defunding medical, public health research
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Yahoo
10 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Stock market today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq nudge higher as Trump-EU trade deal kicks off huge week
US stocks pointed mostly higher on Monday after the US and European Union struck a trade pact to lead off a packed week of Big Tech earnings, a Federal Reserve meeting, inflation data, the July jobs report, and President Trump's Aug. 1 deadline to lock in key trade deals. The S&P 500 (^GSPC) and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) put on nearly 0.2% and 0.3%, respectively, after closing out Friday at fresh record highs. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) floated around the flatline. The US and EU have agreed the outlines of a deal setting tariffs on Europe's goods at a baseline 15%, compared with the 30% threatened. Trump called the pact 'the biggest of them all,' while EU head Ursula von der Leyen said that "15% is not to be underestimated, but it is the best we could get." An initial boost to market sentiment faded in as investors digested the conflicting details in the US-EU deal framework. But stocks are still on track to resume a rally that saw the S&P 500 (^GSPC) notch its fifth all-time high in a row on Friday. Read more: The latest on Trump's tariffs At the same time, hopes are rising for a US-China talks in Stockholm on Monday, which could reportedly extend the existing tariff truce by three months beyond its current Aug, 12 deadline. Investor eyes are now turning to a jam-packed week on Wall Street. Heavyweight earnings highlight the most intense stretch of the season, with more than 150 S&P 500 companies set to report. Meta Platforms (META) and Microsoft (MSFT) lead off Wednesday, followed by Amazon (AMZN) and Apple (AAPL) on Thursday. Read more: Full earnings coverage in our live blog Beyond earnings, the Fed begins its two-day policy meeting on Tuesday, with an interest-rate decision expected Wednesday. While the central bank is expected to keep rates at 4.25%-4.50%, the watch is on for signs that policymakers are warming to a rate cut in September. It all comes alongside Trump's general pressure on the central bank and Chair Jerome Powell. On the data front, inflation and labor will be in the spotlight. The July reading of the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) index, the Fed's preferred inflation gauge, is forecast to show a modest monthly and annual uptick on its release on Thursday. Also on deck: a flurry of jobs data, with Friday's crucial jobs report the highlight. Stocks nudge higher at the open Stocks moved mostly higher Monday at the open as investors digested the US-EU trade deal and anticipated a major week of economic data, earnings results, and a Fed meeting. The S&P 500 (^GSPC) rose about 0.2%, while the Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) gained around 0.4%, with quarterly reports on deck this week from Meta (META), Microsoft (MSFT), Apple (AAPL) and Amazon (AMZN). The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) floated below the flatline, with stocks reversing earlier premarket gains. Nike stock pops after JPMorgan upgrade Nike stock (NKE) jumped 4% in premarket trading Monday after JPMorgan upgraded shares from Neutral to Outperform. JPMorgan analyst Matthew Boss raised his price target on the stock to $93 from $64 previously, writing that he sees revenue growth reaccelerating in the second half of 2026 and 2027. Year to date, Nike stock is up less than 1%, versus an 8% gain for the S&P 500 (^GSPC). Trump looms large over a Fed likely to again defy his call for cuts President Trump and others in the White House have hammered Jerome Powell for months over the Federal Reserve Chair's wait-and-see stance on easing interest rates. That means Trump should loom large over the Fed's policy meeting this week, even if policymakers do what the market expects and keep rates unchanged. Yahoo Finance's Jennifer Schonberger reports: Read more here. Health insurance companies have a problem As Americans use their health insurance more and the cost of care increases, insurance companies have seen their financial results come under pressure. Yahoo Finance's Jake Conley reports: Read more here. Dollar strengthens, euro slips on trade deal The US dollar index ( rose 0.6% on Monday following news that the United States and European Union struck a trade deal. The euro (EURUSD=X) slipped 0.7% against the dollar at $1.16. While the framework's added clarity brought some relief to the trading partners, the deal was seen as more mixed in Europe, which was angling for free trade. Under the deal, European goods bound for the US will face a 15% tariff, and the EU will spend $600 billion on US investments, though some details remain unclear. Together, the US and EU account for about a third of all global trade. How ethereum rose to become a mainstream cryptocurrency The Ether Machine is preparing to go public after raising the equivalent of $1.5 billion, with its promise of offering the public a new way to access cryptocurrency yields. It's the latest sign of ethereum's move out of bitcoin's shadow and into mainstream adoption. Yahoo Finance's Nina Moothedath reports: Here's what to know about ethereum and what sets it apart from other blockchains. ASML's stock is in focus after US/EU trade deal Semiconductor play ASML (ASML, getting a lot of mentions on the Street this morning as a winner from the US/EU trade deal. Shares were up nearly 5% at one point in premarket trading. (I would note ASML just a week ago issued weak guidance that hammered the stock, so be mindful of that.) Here's what JP Morgan had to say this morning: Good morning. Here's what's happening today. Economic data: Dallas Fed manufacturing activity (July) Earnings: Tilray (TLRY), Waste Management (WM), Whirlpool (WHR) Here are some of the biggest stories you may have missed overnight and early this morning: Fed meeting, July jobs report and Big Tech earnings: Week ahead Health insurers have a problem that's squeezing their earnings Musk hails $16.5B Samsung deal to make Tesla's AI chips Trump looms large over defiant Fed's meeting this week Eyes on US-China talks after EU strikes 15% tariff deal Oppenheimer lifts S&P 500 target to call third year of 20% gains US LNG producers soar as EU agrees $250B in annual purchases Japan: Only 2% of $550 billion US fund will be investment Fed meeting, jobs report, Big Tech earnings — and Trump's deadline: What to watch this week The impact of President Trump's policies on the economy is about to get a lot clearer. Yahoo Finance's Josh Schafer takes a look at what to expect this week and why it matters: Read more here. Trending tickers: Nike, Samsung Electronics and US liquefied natural gas stocks Here are some top stocks trending on Yahoo Finance in premarket trading: Nike (NKE) shares were up over 3% before the bell on Monday after receiving an upgrade from JPMorgan (JPM), moving its rating from neutral to overweight and setting a new price target of $93, up from the previous $64. Samsung Electronics ( stock rose 6% after announcing that it had secured a 16.5 billion deal to make Tesla's next-generation AI chip. Shares in US liquefied natural gas developers surged in premarket trading on Monday, after the European Union pledged to purchase $750 billion worth of the super-cooled fuel over the next three years as part of a sweeping trade pact. NextDecade (NEXT), Venture Global (VG), and Cheniere Energy (LNG)jumped between 7% and 8.8%. Samsung to make AI chips for Tesla under $16.5 billion deal Samsung Electronics ( SSNLF) has landed a $16.5 billion deal to make Tesla's (TSLA) next-generation AI chip. The agreement, which runs through the end of 2033, will see the South Korean company produce the AI6 semiconductor at an upcoming plant in Texas. Shares of Tesla stepped up 1.5% in premarket trading, after its CEO Elon Musk confirmed on X that the EV maker had struck the multibillion-dollar deal. Meanwhile, Samsung's Seoul-traded stock rose almost 7% to its highest level since September. 'The strategic importance of this is hard to overstate,' Musk wrote. "The $16.5B number is just the bare minimum. Actual output is likely to be several times higher." Bloomberg reports: Read more here. Oil rises with EU-US trade deal locked in Oil prices eked out gains as the US and the EU finalized details of a trade deal ahead of Trump's Aug. 1 deadline. Bloomberg reports: Read more here. European stock futures rise on US-EU trade deal announcement Futures in European stock indexes saw positive bumps early morning Monday as the markets reacted to the announcement of a tariff deal between the US and the EU Interest in individual stocks in carmakers, luxury goods makers, and alcohol conglomerates is rising ahead of the market open Monday with those industries the most impacted by the deal. Bloomberg reports: Read more here. Stocks nudge higher at the open Stocks moved mostly higher Monday at the open as investors digested the US-EU trade deal and anticipated a major week of economic data, earnings results, and a Fed meeting. The S&P 500 (^GSPC) rose about 0.2%, while the Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) gained around 0.4%, with quarterly reports on deck this week from Meta (META), Microsoft (MSFT), Apple (AAPL) and Amazon (AMZN). The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) floated below the flatline, with stocks reversing earlier premarket gains. Stocks moved mostly higher Monday at the open as investors digested the US-EU trade deal and anticipated a major week of economic data, earnings results, and a Fed meeting. The S&P 500 (^GSPC) rose about 0.2%, while the Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) gained around 0.4%, with quarterly reports on deck this week from Meta (META), Microsoft (MSFT), Apple (AAPL) and Amazon (AMZN). The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) floated below the flatline, with stocks reversing earlier premarket gains. Nike stock pops after JPMorgan upgrade Nike stock (NKE) jumped 4% in premarket trading Monday after JPMorgan upgraded shares from Neutral to Outperform. JPMorgan analyst Matthew Boss raised his price target on the stock to $93 from $64 previously, writing that he sees revenue growth reaccelerating in the second half of 2026 and 2027. Year to date, Nike stock is up less than 1%, versus an 8% gain for the S&P 500 (^GSPC). Nike stock (NKE) jumped 4% in premarket trading Monday after JPMorgan upgraded shares from Neutral to Outperform. JPMorgan analyst Matthew Boss raised his price target on the stock to $93 from $64 previously, writing that he sees revenue growth reaccelerating in the second half of 2026 and 2027. Year to date, Nike stock is up less than 1%, versus an 8% gain for the S&P 500 (^GSPC). Trump looms large over a Fed likely to again defy his call for cuts President Trump and others in the White House have hammered Jerome Powell for months over the Federal Reserve Chair's wait-and-see stance on easing interest rates. That means Trump should loom large over the Fed's policy meeting this week, even if policymakers do what the market expects and keep rates unchanged. Yahoo Finance's Jennifer Schonberger reports: Read more here. President Trump and others in the White House have hammered Jerome Powell for months over the Federal Reserve Chair's wait-and-see stance on easing interest rates. That means Trump should loom large over the Fed's policy meeting this week, even if policymakers do what the market expects and keep rates unchanged. Yahoo Finance's Jennifer Schonberger reports: Read more here. Health insurance companies have a problem As Americans use their health insurance more and the cost of care increases, insurance companies have seen their financial results come under pressure. Yahoo Finance's Jake Conley reports: Read more here. As Americans use their health insurance more and the cost of care increases, insurance companies have seen their financial results come under pressure. Yahoo Finance's Jake Conley reports: Read more here. Dollar strengthens, euro slips on trade deal The US dollar index ( rose 0.6% on Monday following news that the United States and European Union struck a trade deal. The euro (EURUSD=X) slipped 0.7% against the dollar at $1.16. While the framework's added clarity brought some relief to the trading partners, the deal was seen as more mixed in Europe, which was angling for free trade. Under the deal, European goods bound for the US will face a 15% tariff, and the EU will spend $600 billion on US investments, though some details remain unclear. Together, the US and EU account for about a third of all global trade. The US dollar index ( rose 0.6% on Monday following news that the United States and European Union struck a trade deal. The euro (EURUSD=X) slipped 0.7% against the dollar at $1.16. While the framework's added clarity brought some relief to the trading partners, the deal was seen as more mixed in Europe, which was angling for free trade. Under the deal, European goods bound for the US will face a 15% tariff, and the EU will spend $600 billion on US investments, though some details remain unclear. Together, the US and EU account for about a third of all global trade. How ethereum rose to become a mainstream cryptocurrency The Ether Machine is preparing to go public after raising the equivalent of $1.5 billion, with its promise of offering the public a new way to access cryptocurrency yields. It's the latest sign of ethereum's move out of bitcoin's shadow and into mainstream adoption. Yahoo Finance's Nina Moothedath reports: Here's what to know about ethereum and what sets it apart from other blockchains. The Ether Machine is preparing to go public after raising the equivalent of $1.5 billion, with its promise of offering the public a new way to access cryptocurrency yields. It's the latest sign of ethereum's move out of bitcoin's shadow and into mainstream adoption. Yahoo Finance's Nina Moothedath reports: Here's what to know about ethereum and what sets it apart from other blockchains. ASML's stock is in focus after US/EU trade deal Semiconductor play ASML (ASML, getting a lot of mentions on the Street this morning as a winner from the US/EU trade deal. Shares were up nearly 5% at one point in premarket trading. (I would note ASML just a week ago issued weak guidance that hammered the stock, so be mindful of that.) Here's what JP Morgan had to say this morning: Semiconductor play ASML (ASML, getting a lot of mentions on the Street this morning as a winner from the US/EU trade deal. Shares were up nearly 5% at one point in premarket trading. (I would note ASML just a week ago issued weak guidance that hammered the stock, so be mindful of that.) Here's what JP Morgan had to say this morning: Good morning. Here's what's happening today. Economic data: Dallas Fed manufacturing activity (July) Earnings: Tilray (TLRY), Waste Management (WM), Whirlpool (WHR) Here are some of the biggest stories you may have missed overnight and early this morning: Fed meeting, July jobs report and Big Tech earnings: Week ahead Health insurers have a problem that's squeezing their earnings Musk hails $16.5B Samsung deal to make Tesla's AI chips Trump looms large over defiant Fed's meeting this week Eyes on US-China talks after EU strikes 15% tariff deal Oppenheimer lifts S&P 500 target to call third year of 20% gains US LNG producers soar as EU agrees $250B in annual purchases Japan: Only 2% of $550 billion US fund will be investment Economic data: Dallas Fed manufacturing activity (July) Earnings: Tilray (TLRY), Waste Management (WM), Whirlpool (WHR) Here are some of the biggest stories you may have missed overnight and early this morning: Fed meeting, July jobs report and Big Tech earnings: Week ahead Health insurers have a problem that's squeezing their earnings Musk hails $16.5B Samsung deal to make Tesla's AI chips Trump looms large over defiant Fed's meeting this week Eyes on US-China talks after EU strikes 15% tariff deal Oppenheimer lifts S&P 500 target to call third year of 20% gains US LNG producers soar as EU agrees $250B in annual purchases Japan: Only 2% of $550 billion US fund will be investment Fed meeting, jobs report, Big Tech earnings — and Trump's deadline: What to watch this week The impact of President Trump's policies on the economy is about to get a lot clearer. Yahoo Finance's Josh Schafer takes a look at what to expect this week and why it matters: Read more here. The impact of President Trump's policies on the economy is about to get a lot clearer. Yahoo Finance's Josh Schafer takes a look at what to expect this week and why it matters: Read more here. Trending tickers: Nike, Samsung Electronics and US liquefied natural gas stocks Here are some top stocks trending on Yahoo Finance in premarket trading: Nike (NKE) shares were up over 3% before the bell on Monday after receiving an upgrade from JPMorgan (JPM), moving its rating from neutral to overweight and setting a new price target of $93, up from the previous $64. Samsung Electronics ( stock rose 6% after announcing that it had secured a 16.5 billion deal to make Tesla's next-generation AI chip. Shares in US liquefied natural gas developers surged in premarket trading on Monday, after the European Union pledged to purchase $750 billion worth of the super-cooled fuel over the next three years as part of a sweeping trade pact. NextDecade (NEXT), Venture Global (VG), and Cheniere Energy (LNG)jumped between 7% and 8.8%. Here are some top stocks trending on Yahoo Finance in premarket trading: Nike (NKE) shares were up over 3% before the bell on Monday after receiving an upgrade from JPMorgan (JPM), moving its rating from neutral to overweight and setting a new price target of $93, up from the previous $64. Samsung Electronics ( stock rose 6% after announcing that it had secured a 16.5 billion deal to make Tesla's next-generation AI chip. Shares in US liquefied natural gas developers surged in premarket trading on Monday, after the European Union pledged to purchase $750 billion worth of the super-cooled fuel over the next three years as part of a sweeping trade pact. NextDecade (NEXT), Venture Global (VG), and Cheniere Energy (LNG)jumped between 7% and 8.8%. Samsung to make AI chips for Tesla under $16.5 billion deal Samsung Electronics ( SSNLF) has landed a $16.5 billion deal to make Tesla's (TSLA) next-generation AI chip. The agreement, which runs through the end of 2033, will see the South Korean company produce the AI6 semiconductor at an upcoming plant in Texas. Shares of Tesla stepped up 1.5% in premarket trading, after its CEO Elon Musk confirmed on X that the EV maker had struck the multibillion-dollar deal. Meanwhile, Samsung's Seoul-traded stock rose almost 7% to its highest level since September. 'The strategic importance of this is hard to overstate,' Musk wrote. "The $16.5B number is just the bare minimum. Actual output is likely to be several times higher." Bloomberg reports: Read more here. Samsung Electronics ( SSNLF) has landed a $16.5 billion deal to make Tesla's (TSLA) next-generation AI chip. The agreement, which runs through the end of 2033, will see the South Korean company produce the AI6 semiconductor at an upcoming plant in Texas. Shares of Tesla stepped up 1.5% in premarket trading, after its CEO Elon Musk confirmed on X that the EV maker had struck the multibillion-dollar deal. Meanwhile, Samsung's Seoul-traded stock rose almost 7% to its highest level since September. 'The strategic importance of this is hard to overstate,' Musk wrote. "The $16.5B number is just the bare minimum. Actual output is likely to be several times higher." Bloomberg reports: Read more here. Oil rises with EU-US trade deal locked in Oil prices eked out gains as the US and the EU finalized details of a trade deal ahead of Trump's Aug. 1 deadline. Bloomberg reports: Read more here. Oil prices eked out gains as the US and the EU finalized details of a trade deal ahead of Trump's Aug. 1 deadline. Bloomberg reports: Read more here. European stock futures rise on US-EU trade deal announcement Futures in European stock indexes saw positive bumps early morning Monday as the markets reacted to the announcement of a tariff deal between the US and the EU Interest in individual stocks in carmakers, luxury goods makers, and alcohol conglomerates is rising ahead of the market open Monday with those industries the most impacted by the deal. Bloomberg reports: Read more here. Futures in European stock indexes saw positive bumps early morning Monday as the markets reacted to the announcement of a tariff deal between the US and the EU Interest in individual stocks in carmakers, luxury goods makers, and alcohol conglomerates is rising ahead of the market open Monday with those industries the most impacted by the deal. Bloomberg reports: Read more here. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
10 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Wall Street bull calls for 11% rally in S&P 500 to end 2025 as trade 'uncertainty' subsides
The high water mark for Wall Street's S&P 500 (^GSPC) targets has moved up amid the market rally. Oppenheimer chief market strategist John Stoltzfus boosted his year-end target to 7,100 from 5,950 in a note to clients on Sunday night as "progress on trade negotiations removes an uncertainty that had weighed on our market outlook." The new target is now the highest on Wall Street and calls for another 11% rally in the S&P. Should the S&P 500 close out 2025 above 7,100, the benchmark index will have rallied more than 20% for a third-straight year. Stoltzfus is one of several Wall Street strategists that has now reverted back to their initial year-end forecasts after previously slashing their target during April's near-20% tariff-driven market drawdown. Stolzfus' update came just hours after President Trump announced a deal with the European Union that includes a baseline 15% tariff rate on EU goods imported to the US. "We believe that enough 'tariff hurdles' have been overcome for now to reinstate our original price target for the S&P 500 of 7100 by year-end," Stoltzfus wrote. Stoltzfus reached his year-end target by projecting S&P 500 earnings per share at $275 for 2025 and the market trading at a forward twelve-month price to earnings ratio of 25.8. The S&P 500 is now valued at 22.4 times next year's earnings, above the five- and 10-year averages of 19.9 and 18.4, per FactSet data. This already has some wondering if the market rally has become overstretched. But strategists like Stoltzfus have recently been pointing out that corporate profits are proving more resilient than initially feared following Trump's initial April tariff announcements. With 34% of the S&P 500 having reported results, earnings in the second quarter are on pace to grow 6.4%, up from the 5% expected on June 27, per FactSet data. Estimates for year-over-year earnings growth in the final two quarters of 2025 and for the full year 2026 have been moving higher. As of July 25, FactSet data showed analysts expect the S&P 500 to grow earnings by 13.9% in 2026, slightly higher than the 13.8% that had been expected a month ago. In a Sunday note to clients, Citi head of US equity strategy Stuart Kaiser pointed out that earnings guidance for future quarters has been increased more than the prior reporting period in April. Kaiser points out that thus far, 41% of companies have raised their full-year guidance, up from 10% seen in April. Kaiser noted this is an added "tailwind" for US stocks. Morgan Stanley Chief Investment Officer Mike Wilson agrees. Data Wilson shared with Yahoo Finance shows that earnings revisions breadth — or the ratio of companies raising forecasts to those cutting forecasts — has rebounded as dramatically as the S&P 500 itself. "We are currently experiencing one of the strongest V-shaped recoveries in history, rivaling the Covid rebound in 2020, the last time we were so out of consensus on the market," Wilson told Yahoo Finance via email. "Many market participants do not appreciate how strong this very fundamental driver has been over the past several months, which helps to not only justify the rally to date, but also why we remain bullish on the next 6-12 months." Josh Schafer is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow him on X @_joshschafer. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Newsweek
10 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Elon Musk Weighs In on Potential Ghislaine Maxwell Trump Pardon
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Elon Musk has weighed in on the possibility of President Donald Trump issuing a pardon to Ghislaine Maxwell, the imprisoned associate of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. A user on X posted a meme that suggested Trump would pardon Maxwell after she "names a bunch of Democrats" and says Trump "did nothing wrong." Musk responded to the post early Monday with a bull's-eye emoji. Newsweek reached out to Musk and the White House via email for comment outside regular office hours. Why It Matters Maxwell is serving a 20-year sentence in federal prison after being convicted of helping Epstein sexually abuse underage girls. She has appealed her case to the Supreme Court, which has not yet decided whether to take up the case. Maxwell was questioned by the Department of Justice last week as the Trump administration continues to face pressure to release the government's files on the investigation into Epstein, after the DOJ and FBI said in a July 7 memo that Epstein did not have a list of clients and that no additional records would be released to the public. Questioned by reporters on Friday, Trump did not rule out the possibility of pardoning Maxwell. Musk, once a staunch ally of Trump and the head of the Department of Government Efficiency, is among those calling for the release of the files. During his falling out with Trump last month, Musk said without evidence in a since-deleted social media post that the Epstein files had not been released because Trump was in them. The president dismissed that claim, saying he "had nothing to do with it." Elon Musk participates in a news conference in the Oval Office of the White House on May 30, 2025. Elon Musk participates in a news conference in the Oval Office of the White House on May 30, 2025. Allison Roberts/AFP via Getty Images What To Know Trump on Friday deflected reporters' questions about pardoning Maxwell, saying that "I'm allowed to do it, but it's something I have not thought about." He spoke as Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche interviewed Maxwell at a Florida federal courthouse for a second day. Blanche said on social media last week that Maxwell would be interviewed because of Trump's directive to gather and release any credible evidence about others who may have committed crimes. Maxwell's attorney, David Markus, told reporters that Maxwell answered questions "honestly, truthfully, to the best of her ability." What People Are Saying House Speaker Mike Johnson said on NBC's Meet the Press, when asked if he was open to a pardon or commutation for Maxwell: "If you're asking my opinion, I think 20 years was a pittance. I think she should have a life sentence at least. "I mean, think of all these unspeakable hard to put into words how evil this was, and that she orchestrated it and was a big part of it, at least under the criminal sanction, I think is an unforgivable thing. So again, not my decision, but I have great pause about that as any reasonable person would." Maxwell's lawyer, David Markus, told reporters on Friday that Maxwell has endured "terrible, awful conditions for five years." "We just ask that folks, look at what she has to say with an open mind, and that's what Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche has promised us, and everything she says can be corroborated, and she's telling the truth," Markus said. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, Thursday on X: "Today, I met with Ghislaine Maxwell, and I will continue my interview of her tomorrow. The Department of Justice will share additional information about what we learned at the appropriate time." What Happens Next It's unclear whether Trump will issue a pardon or commutation for Maxwell, but he is likely to continue facing questions about it in the coming days.
