Trump will not recommend special prosecutor in Epstein case
"The president would not recommend a special prosecutor in the Epstein case. That's how he feels," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters.
Ms. Leavitt said Mr. Trump had already directed the Justice Department and Attorney General Pam Bondi to conduct an "exhaustive review of all files," dismissing the renewed interest in Epstein as politically motivated and accusing Democrats of ignoring the issue during their time in power.
Epstein, a wealthy financier, was facing federal charges of sex-trafficking minors when he died by suicide in jail in 2019. He had pleaded not guilty, and the case was dismissed after his death.
The topic returned to the news last week after the Trump administration reversed course on its pledge to release documents it had previously suggested would offer major revelations about Epstein and his alleged clientele. That reversal has enraged some of Mr. Trump's most loyal followers.
On Wednesday, Mr. Trump attacked supporters who have been critical of his administration's handling of the Epstein case.
On Truth Social, Mr. Trump said: "Let these weaklings continue forward and do the Democrats work, don't even think about talking of our incredible and unprecedented success, because I don't want their support anymore!"
Later in the day, he said Ms. Bondi should release whatever she thinks is credible.
"Whatever's credible, she can release," he told reporters. "If a document's there that's credible, she can release. I think it's good."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
14 minutes ago
- The Hindu
China wants to return U.S. trade ties to a state of healthy development
China wants to bring commercial ties with the United States back to a state of healthy and sustainable development, Commerce Minister Wang Wentao said on Friday (July 18, 2025), calling on the U.S. to behave in a way that befits its major country status. China's trade has strong resilience and momentum, and the country will expand imports as well as exports in its next five-year plan, Wang said at a press conference. The country's policy support for exports has "bucked the trend" amid a complex external environment, Mr. Wang said. He characterised the ups and downs in China-U.S. trade relations as having taught both sides that they need each other. Also Read | Trump says trade deal with China is done; China will supply rare earths, U.S. to allow students "A forced decoupling and severing of supply chains is impossible, and some trade between the two sides is difficult to replace, at least in the short term," he said. "Having weathered many storms, the two sides remain important economic and trade partners to each other," Wang said, adding that the two countries can manage tensions through "equal dialogue and consultations". U.S. President Donald Trump hiked tariffs on Chinese products to over 100% earlier this year, before walking back much of the hefty duties in a trade truce with Beijing reached in May. China has until August 12 to reach a deal with Washington to avoid Trump's reinstating additional import curbs imposed during tit-for-tat tariff exchanges in April and May. Also Read | Trump to put tariffs of over 10% on smaller nations, including those in Africa and the Caribbean The current overall tariff level imposed by the U.S. on China is at a "still high" 53.6%, Mr. Wang told the press conference. "There are no winners in a trade war. China does not want a trade war, but it is not afraid of one," he reiterated. "Major countries should act like major countries. They must shoulder their responsibilities," he said, adding that China would not change its stance in protecting its national interests.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
14 minutes ago
- Business Standard
US labels 'The Resistance Front' behind Pahalgam attack as terrorist group
In a major move, the United States has designated The Resistance Front (TRF)—a proxy of the Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and the outfit behind the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack—as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO) and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). The announcement was made on Thursday (local time) by the US Department of State. In an official statement, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the move reflects Washington's resolve to enforce President Donald Trump's call for justice for the Pahalgam attack. Rubio stressed that TRF acts as a front for Lashkar-e-Taiba and claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam attack. 'This action underscores our commitment to counter terrorism and hold accountable those who target civilians,' he said. According to the US State Department, TRF has carried out multiple attacks against Indian security forces in recent years, including the most recent one in 2024. The terror outfit's designation as an FTO and SDGT—under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and Executive Order 13224—allows for stronger legal measures against the group and its affiliates. The State Department has also reviewed and confirmed that Lashkar-e-Taiba will continue to remain listed as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO). US reiterates commitment to global counterterrorism The State Department further emphasised that the Trump administration remains committed to protecting US and allied interests by cracking down on extremist organisations worldwide. 'These actions reflect the Trump administration's commitment to protecting national security, countering terrorism, and upholding President Trump's call for justice after the Pahalgam attack,' the statement noted. Jaishankar welcomes US move on TRF designation India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar welcomed the US decision and expressed his appreciation in a post on X. 'Thank you Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the US State Department for designating TRF—a Lashkar-e-Tayyiba proxy—as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT). A strong affirmation of India-US counter-terrorism cooperation,' he wrote. He added that the group had claimed responsibility for the April 22 Pahalgam attack and reiterated India's policy of zero tolerance for terrorism. The Indian Embassy in Washington also issued a statement on X, thanking the US government and reiterating India's stance against terrorism. 'Another demonstration of strong India-USA counter-terrorism cooperation. Appreciate the Department of State for listing The Resistance Front (TRF) as a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization and Specially Designated Global Terrorist. TRF is a proxy of Lashkar-e-Tayyiba and claimed responsibility for the April 22 terror attack on civilians in Pahalgam. ZERO TOLERANCE for terrorism!' it said. Pahalgam attack and India's retaliatory response The Pahalgam attack, which took place in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians, sparking outrage across India. Though TRF initially claimed responsibility for the attack, it later retracted the statement amid mounting tensions between India and Pakistan. In response, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting nine terror infrastructure sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Later in May, India escalated its diplomatic efforts, dispatching seven multi-party delegations to 33 global capitals, including Washington, to increase international pressure on Pakistan and expose its continued support for cross-border terrorism.
Time of India
28 minutes ago
- Time of India
US Congress passes Genius Act to regulate stable coins amid Trump ties and market surge
The United States has passed its first major federal legislation regulating cryptocurrency , marking a historic milestone for the fast-growing digital finance sector. Dubbed the Genius Act , the bill focuses primarily on stablecoins, a class of cryptocurrencies tied to traditional low-risk assets like the US dollar, and is designed to inject clarity into a long-murky space. But even as backers celebrate the move as a long-overdue step toward financial modernization, critics are warning of serious risks to the banking system, and sounding alarms about the outsized role of Donald Trump 's crypto ties in the bill's trajectory. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category Degree Project Management Data Science Operations Management Data Analytics Others Data Science Finance MBA Digital Marketing healthcare Product Management Artificial Intelligence Public Policy Healthcare PGDM Technology Management Cybersecurity Leadership Design Thinking CXO MCA others Skills you'll gain: Data-Driven Decision-Making Strategic Leadership and Transformation Global Business Acumen Comprehensive Business Expertise Duration: 2 Years University of Western Australia UWA Global MBA Starts on Jun 28, 2024 Get Details The House of Representatives approved the legislation on Thursday(July 17) in a rare show of bipartisan support, following Senate passage last month. President Trump is expected to sign the measure into law on Friday. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Crack NSAT and Win Scholarships | Register Now Narayana Group Sign Up Undo 'The legislation lays the foundation for digital finance in the US, but we should be clear, this is just the tip of the iceberg,' said Sheila Warren, CEO of the Crypto Council for Innovation. Trump took a U-turn Live Events The legislation caps years of lobbying by crypto firms, who poured millions into 2024's election cycle, backing candidates sympathetic to industry priorities, chief among them Trump, who once called Bitcoin a 'scam' but has since embraced the sector both politically and financially. Trump also maintains ties to World Liberty Financial, a firm now under scrutiny for aggressive marketing of blockchain-based products. What does this mean? Under the Genius Act, stablecoin issuers will be required to maintain full reserves in US dollars or similarly secure assets, effectively outlawing the issuance of algorithmic or under-collateralized stablecoins. The bill also delegates supervisory powers to federal regulators like the Comptroller of the Currency and state financial authorities, though critics say oversight mechanisms remain vague. Proponents say the measure is vital for keeping the US competitive in the global digital economy, especially as countries like the UK, Singapore, and Japan move ahead with structured crypto rules. 'It's regulatory clarity. That alone could unlock innovation we've been sitting on for years,' said Republican Rep. Patrick McHenry, a longtime crypto advocate. What do the critics say But opponents argue that the bill not only fails to include meaningful consumer protections, it also risks blurring the line between tech firms and traditional banks, without imposing the same regulatory rigor. 'This bill effectively lets Big Tech act like banks, but without the rules banks follow,' said Dennis Kelleher, CEO of Better Markets, a nonprofit promoting financial reform. A coalition of consumer groups, including the National Consumer Law Center, warned Congress earlier this year that the bill would 'normalize a class of risky assets' and leave consumers vulnerable if stablecoin issuers collapse, as happened with TerraUSD in 2022, which triggered billions in losses globally. There are also ethical concerns surrounding Trump's business interests. While White House aides deny that the president stands to benefit financially, watchdogs remain skeptical. 'Voting for this bill isn't just a policy decision, it's a green light for Trump's monetization of public office,' said Sarah Bloom Raskin, former Treasury official under Obama. Two more crypto bills are in limbo The Genius Act is the first of three major crypto-related bills advancing through Washington this summer. The other two, one blocking the Federal Reserve from launching a central bank digital currency (CBDC) and another establishing wider oversight for crypto tokens and exchanges, have cleared the House but now face an uncertain path in the Senate.
