THE SPOTLIGHT is on President Trump’s Justice Division, as separate investigations into convicted intercourse offender Jeffrey Epstein and the Intelligence Neighborhood’s actions across the 2016 election develop to incorporate a number of the largest names in politics.

Home Oversight and Authorities Reform Committee Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) subpoenaed the Division of Justice (DOJ) and numerous high-profile people Tuesday, as he seeks additional transparency within the Epstein case.

Former President Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and former FBI Administrators James Comey and Robert Mueller are amongst those that acquired subpoenas.

As well as, Comer subpoenaed six former attorneys common spanning administrations: Merrick Garland, Invoice Barr, Alberto Gonzales, Jeff Classes, Loretta Lynch and Eric Holder.

“Whereas the Division undertakes efforts to uncover and publicly disclose extra data associated to Mr. Epstein and Ms. Maxwell’s instances, it’s crucial that Congress conduct oversight of the federal authorities’s enforcement of intercourse trafficking legal guidelines typically and particularly its dealing with of the investigation and prosecution of Mr. Epstein and Ms. Maxwell,” Comer wrote to Lawyer Basic Pam Bondi.

Bondi has been beneath strain to disclose extra particulars concerning the case for the reason that DOJ and FBI sought to shut the guide on the matter after figuring out Epstein didn’t maintain a “shopper listing.”

Trump has backed Bondi, insisting there is no such thing as a conspiracy and lashing out at Republicans in search of full transparency.

Trump can be suing The Wall Avenue Journal, claiming a narrative they ran about him sending a birthday card to Epstein is fake. Attorneys for each events Tuesday agreed to delay a deposition for Rupert Murdoch.

In the meantime, the DOJ requested the discharge of grand jury testimony transcripts within the trials of each Epstein and his affiliate, Ghislaine Maxwell.

In her letter in search of the testimony, Bondi acknowledged that almost all of what’s within the transcripts is already recognized.

Two of Epstein’s victims questioned the motive of the Trump administration’s transfer to unseal the testimony.

“What you might have executed and proceed to do is consuming at me day after day as you assist to perpetuate this story indefinitely,” the victims said.

Maxwell is also objecting to the discharge of the testimony.

“Jeffrey Epstein is useless. Ghislaine Maxwell isn’t,” Maxwell’s attorneys wrote in a submitting. “No matter curiosity the general public might have in Epstein, that curiosity can’t justify a broad intrusion into grand jury secrecy in a case the place the defendant is alive, her authorized choices are viable, and her due course of rights stay.”

CNN experiences that the Trump administration is contemplating releasing a transcript from a gathering final month between a high DOJ official who interviewed Maxwell in Florida. The interview occurred earlier than Maxwell, who’s serving 20 years for intercourse trafficking, was transferred to a prison in Texas.

Bondi directed DOJ officials to open a grand jury investigation into how Obama administration officers dealt with intelligence about Russian interference within the 2016 election.

Director of Nationwide Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard in current weeks has declassified materials alleging former Obama officers manipulated or manufactured intelligence to construct a story that Russia intervened within the 2016 election to get Trump elected.

It is unclear who’s being focused within the grand jury probe, however the administration has beforehand pointed the finger at former CIA chief John Brennan, former DNI James Clapper and former FBI Director James Comey, amongst others.

“Following the compelling case outlined by DNI Tulsi Gabbard, which uncovered clear and blatant weaponization by corrupt intelligence officers performing on the behest of the Democrat Celebration and certain former President Obama, the Administration stays dedicated to conducting an intensive investigation,” White Home spokesperson Harrison Fields mentioned.

“This effort goals to supply the American individuals with the reality concerning the extent to which former authorities officers labored to sabotage the Trump administration and undermine the desire of the American individuals in a transparent try and subvert our Constitutional Republic,” Fields added.

Trump has publicly referred to as for officers to be prosecuted, though he mentioned Tuesday he had “nothing to do” with the initiation of a grand jury probe.

“I’ll inform you this, they deserve it. I used to be completely satisfied to listen to it,” Trump instructed CNBC.

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Texas Republicans are ramping up their efforts to crack down on the Democratic legislators who fled the state to stall a redistricting vote.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) on Tuesday despatched a letter to FBI Director Kash Patel requesting help in finding the Democratic legislators, who he mentioned are “probably performing in violation of the regulation.”

“The FBI has instruments to assist state regulation enforcement when events cross state strains, together with to keep away from testifying or fleeing a scene of a criminal offense,” Cornyn mentioned.

“Governor Abbott and Texas state regulation enforcement officers are doing what they will throughout the confines of the regulation, however federal assist could also be obligatory,” he added. “These legislators have dedicated potential legal acts of their rush to keep away from their constitutional obligations and have to be absolutely investigated and held accountable.”

About 50 state Democrats fled Texas over the weekend as they search to disclaim the Legislature a quorum and run out the clock on a particular session through which Republicans are in search of to attract extra favorable maps forward of the 2026 midterm elections.

President Trump mentioned Tuesday the GOP is “entitled” to 5 extra Home seats in Texas.

“We should always have many extra seats in California. It’s all gerrymandered,” he instructed CNBC. “And now we have a chance in Texas to choose up 5 seats. Now we have a very good governor, and now we have good individuals in Texas. And I gained Texas. I obtained the very best vote within the historical past of Texas, as you most likely know, and we’re entitled to 5 extra seats.”

The Texas Home on Monday permitted civil warrants for the lacking lawmakers after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) ordered their arrest.

Abbott has threatened to strip the Democrats of their seats, saying they’ve abdicated their obligation. And he’s warned they are going to be in violation of federal election legal guidelines in the event that they settle for donations for the $500 day by day fines they’re incurring for breaking quorum.

“This can be a five-alarm fireplace for our democracy. Donald Trump is probably the most corrupt president in American historical past, and he has no plan for successful the upcoming midterm elections,” Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas) instructed CNN. “So, he primarily is demanding that his cronies rig these elections for him on this corrupt scheme.”

The Democrats fled to blue states, together with New York and Illinois, the place the governors have held press conferences promising to guard them.

The transfer by Texas has sparked an arms race, with Democratic governors and lawmakers in California, New York and New Jersey promising to retaliate by redrawing their very own maps to make them extra pleasant to Democrats.

Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton is the offer to join the frenzy, though the state’s maps are already among the many most gerrymandered within the nation.

“In Illinois, we don’t sit on the sidelines,” mentioned Stratton, who’s working for Senate subsequent 12 months. “In Illinois, we don’t take kindly to threats, and in Illinois, we struggle again. If Trump and Texas Republicans gained’t play by the foundations, we are going to have a look at each possibility out there to cease their excessive energy seize, and nothing will probably be off the desk.”

Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-Calif.) plans to introduce a bill barring mid-decade redistricting. On Tuesday, Kiley referred to as out Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Home Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), saying they have to be working to finish the outbreak of tit-for-tat redistricting throughout the U.S.

“It’s not factor for both Democrats or Republicans. It’s definitely not factor for the nation,” Kiley mentioned. “So I feel that the Speaker and Chief Jeffries want to point out some management right here to deliver this chaos to an finish, and I feel that the invoice that I’ve supplied offers them the chance to do exactly that.”

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© Julia Demaree Nikhinson, Related Press

President Trump’s particular envoy Steve Witkoff is scheduled to journey to Russia on Wednesday for what Ukraine is describing as Moscow’s “final likelihood” to succeed in a peace deal earlier than the U.S. imposes new economic sanctions on Russia.

It’s unclear who Witkoff will meet with. A Kremlin spokesperson wouldn’t verify or deny a possible assembly with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned Tuesday he had a “productive dialog” with Trump and about ending the warfare.

“At the moment, we coordinated our positions – Ukraine and the US,” Zelensky posted on X. “We exchanged assessments of the scenario: The Russians have intensified the brutality of their assaults. President Trump is absolutely knowledgeable about Russian strikes on Kyiv and different cities and communities.”

NewsNation’s Robert Sherman is reporting from Ukraine this week. Watch his latest dispatch from the war-torn region here.

Trump has been more and more annoyed with Putin for persevering with the warfare on Ukraine.

The president imposed a Friday deadline on Russia to finish the preventing or face new sanctions meant to isolate Moscow economically, though he’s been versatile with previous deadlines.

Trump this week threatened new tariffs on India for persevering with to purchase Russian oil. China is one other main purchaser of Russian oil.

Trump has been escalating nuclear tensions with Russia, sending two U.S. submarines to the area in response to threatening rhetoric from former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, a high adviser to Putin.

Russia on Tuesday mentioned it could now not abide by a self-imposed moratorium on the deployment of nuclear-capable intermediate vary missiles.

ELSEWHERE…

Trump mentioned in an interview with CNBC on Tuesday that he’s bullish on reaching a commerce take care of China, though the president is emphasizing that he’s not the one in search of a gathering with Chinese language President Xi Jinping.

“I don’t need it, he requested for a gathering and I’ll find yourself having a gathering earlier than the top of the 12 months largely seemingly if we make a deal,” Trump mentioned.

Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter and different high officers from Switzerland are en path to Washington in search of a trade deal, as tariffs have squeezed key Swiss industries, together with chocolate and watchmaking.

The Hill’s Alexander Bolton experiences that Republicans on Capitol Hill are growing anxious concerning the economic system after final week’s poor jobs report.

“It undoubtedly is indicative of a weakened economic system, an economic system that’s not performing in a strong vogue. I’ve all alongside felt like there’s a lag between tariffs and precise financial downturn,” Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) mentioned.

Trump on Tuesday threatened to impose tariffs of as much as 250 p.c on pharmaceutical imports, the very best price he’s mentioned up to now.

“We’ll be placing a, initially small tariff on prescription drugs,” Trump instructed CNBC’s “Squawk Box.”

“However in a single 12 months, one in a half years most, it’s gonna go to 150 p.c, after which it’s gonna go to 250 p.c, as a result of we wish prescription drugs made in our nation,” he added.

MEANWHILE…

Trump is mulling potential replacements for Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, whose time period is up early subsequent 12 months.

“Typically they’re all excellent and then you definately put them in there after which they don’t achieve this good,” Trump instructed CNBC, swiping at Powell, who he tapped for the function throughout his first time period.

One name is off the list: Trump mentioned Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is completely satisfied in his function and doesn’t wish to go away.

In the course of the CNBC interview, Trump additionally revived his claims of discrimination, saying a number of large banks have turned him away.

And he cheekily responded when requested if he’d search a 3rd time period within the White Home.

“Most likely not,” Trump mentioned.

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