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Latest developments and key stories from across the United States
The House Oversight Committee shared the transcript from a private interview with former Attorney General Pam Bondi about how she handled files related to Jeffrey Epstein. In the nearly four-hour session, Bondi refused to answer some questions and said that acting Attorney General Todd Blanche was responsible for certain matters.
Key Facts
The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee released the transcript of a private interview.
The interview was with former Attorney General Pam Bondi.
The discussion focused on how Bondi handled files connected to Jeffrey Epstein.
The interview lasted about four hours.
Bondi declined to answer several questions during the meeting.
She pointed to acting Attorney General Todd Blanche for responsibility on some issues.
The release of the transcript provides more transparency about the committee’s investigation.
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President Donald Trump proposed new tariffs on imports from 60 countries, including key trade partners like Canada and China. These tariffs target goods made with forced labor and aim to create fairer competition for American workers, but some exemptions are included to reduce the overall impact.
Key Facts
The proposed tariffs would charge at least 10% on imports from 60 countries.
54 countries, including India and Brazil, would face a 12.5% tariff for not stopping forced labor goods.
Canada and Mexico would face a 10% tariff due to enforcement concerns.
The tariffs come after an investigation under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974.
The tariffs aim to address unfair competition caused by forced labor in other countries.
The proposal excludes imports covered by the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).
Many agricultural, apparel, and energy products are exempt from the tariffs.
Overall tariff levels will rise but remain below previous highs before a Supreme Court ruling stopped earlier tariffs.
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President Donald Trump said that Bill Pulte will not be the permanent director of national intelligence. Some Republican and Democratic senators opposed Pulte's appointment as acting director, and Trump clarified that Pulte would not be nominated to lead the national intelligence agencies permanently.
Key Facts
President Trump named Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence.
Pulte currently leads the Federal Housing Finance Agency.
Some senators from both parties expressed opposition to Pulte's appointment.
Trump said Pulte is not being considered as the permanent national intelligence chief.
The national intelligence director coordinates 18 federal agencies involved in security.
Trump made these remarks in response to a question in the Oval Office.
The director role is important for overseeing national security work across the government.
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Renovations on the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C. are nearly finished, and water is being refilled after resealing. President Donald Trump also mentioned plans for a new nearby promenade, which might be named after him.
Key Facts
The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is over 2,000 feet long.
The pool is being refilled with water after repairs and was resealed with a blue coating called "American flag blue."
The pool holds about 6.5 million gallons of water.
President Trump suggested creating a new promenade behind the Lincoln Memorial near the pool.
There is a possibility that the new promenade could be named the "Trump Promenade," but the president seemed unsure about the name.
Contracts awarded for the reflecting pool project total about $14.8 million, though the president previously estimated the cost at $1.5 to $2 million.
Other recent initiatives by President Trump in Washington include plans for a White House ballroom, a memorial arch, and renaming the Kennedy Center, though a court blocked the latter.
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President Donald Trump said Bill Pulte will serve as acting director of national intelligence but will not be nominated for the permanent job. The White House is interviewing other candidates, and Pulte’s appointment has raised concerns due to his lack of national security experience.
Key Facts
Bill Pulte is currently the acting director of national intelligence.
President Trump does not plan to nominate Pulte for the permanent position.
The administration is interviewing other people for the permanent role.
Pulte has no known experience in national security but has led investigations into Trump’s opponents for mortgage fraud.
Senate Republicans are divided, and some Democrats oppose Pulte’s leadership of intelligence agencies.
President Trump believes Pulte’s intelligence comes from being smart, despite limited experience.
Former Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard was involved in an FBI search of an election center in Georgia earlier this year.
Gabbard’s visit to the FBI search was reportedly at the insistence of former Attorney General Pam Bondi.
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The U.S. Senate is currently holding a "vote-a-rama," a session where many amendments can be proposed and voted on one after another. This is happening as senators decide on funding for ICE and consider a Democratic effort to block money for an "anti-weaponization" fund.
Key Facts
The Senate is conducting a "vote-a-rama," which allows many quick votes on amendments.
Funding for ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) is part of the legislation under review.
Democrats are working to block funding for a program called the "anti-weaponization" fund.
A "vote-a-rama" is a common part of budget discussions in the Senate.
CBS News reporter Taurean Small provided recent updates on the situation.
The vote-a-rama requires senators to cast many votes one after another, without long breaks.
This legislative process can influence how government agencies receive money to operate.
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The House of Representatives voted against a resolution that would have ordered President Trump to remove U.S. troops from Lebanon within seven days. Most Democrats joined Republicans to defeat the measure, showing disagreements within the party about U.S. policy in the Middle East.
Key Facts
Rep. Rashida Tlaib introduced a resolution to remove U.S. forces from Lebanon within seven days.
The House voted 324 against and 92 in favor of the resolution.
117 Democrats voted against the resolution, and 91 Democrats supported it.
One Republican voted for the resolution, and two Democrats did not vote either way.
House Democratic leaders oppose the resolution, saying no U.S. troops are engaged in combat in Lebanon.
Leaders support U.S. cooperation with Lebanese Armed Forces to fight Hezbollah.
The vote shows a split between progressive and centrist Democrats on Middle East policy.
The vote took place one day after the House passed a measure limiting President Trump’s war powers in Iran.
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President Donald Trump said he did not notice any signs of mental decline in President Joe Biden when they met after the 2024 election. Trump told reporters that Biden appeared the same as he had in the past.
Key Facts
President Trump met with President Biden in November 2024 after winning the election.
Trump was asked if he noticed any mental or cognitive decline in Biden.
Trump responded that he did not see any decline.
He described Biden as the same person he has observed over time.
This statement was made during a press interaction on a Thursday.
The meeting happened during the transfer of power after the 2024 election.
Cognitive decline refers to a decrease in mental abilities like memory and thinking.
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A Labor MP, Julian Hill, said the government has won the debate on changes to property tax rules, like negative gearing and capital gains tax. At the same time, homelessness in New South Wales has increased by 75% over six years.
Key Facts
Julian Hill is a member of the Labor Party in Australia.
He stated the government is winning the debate about housing tax changes.
The tax changes involve negative gearing and capital gains tax on property.
Negative gearing is a tax strategy related to investment properties.
The goal of these changes is to help young Australians afford homes.
Homelessness in New South Wales has risen by 75% in six years.
The homelessness data comes from a report by Homelessness NSW using street counts.
The discussion took place during a parliamentary session and later on an ABC news program.
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California's vote counting after the primary election is slow, which is normal and often takes days or weeks to finish. President Donald Trump criticized the delay and claimed fraud, announcing that his Department of Justice is investigating, but this slow pace does not mean the election is rigged.
Key Facts
California's election results often take a long time to count fully.
Voters are still waiting for outcomes in key races like governor and Los Angeles mayor.
Some congressional races in California are also very close and undecided.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly complained about slow vote counting in the past.
On this occasion, President Trump posted on social media about the delay and alleged fraud.
He said that the Department of Justice is looking into the vote counting process.
Election officials say a slow count does not mean the election is unfair or rigged.
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Senator Susan Collins from Maine voted for a Democratic plan to send a $70 billion budget package back to a Senate committee. This will allow the committee to investigate insurance companies that might be denying medical care to patients.
Key Facts
Senator Susan Collins is a Republican from Maine.
She voted against the majority of her Republican colleagues.
The vote was on a Democratic amendment.
The amendment aims to send a $70 billion budget package back to the Judiciary Committee.
The purpose is to investigate insurance companies.
The investigation will look into whether insurance companies are refusing necessary medical care to patients.
The $70 billion package is part of the budget reconciliation process.
Senate Republican leaders opposed this amendment.
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President Trump said that Bill Pulte will be a temporary director of national intelligence (DNI). Pulte, who now leads the Federal Housing Finance Agency, was described by Trump as smart and honest amid concerns from both political parties about his appointment.
Key Facts
President Trump chose Bill Pulte to be the director of national intelligence.
Bill Pulte currently leads the Federal Housing Finance Agency.
Trump said Pulte’s role as DNI will not be permanent.
Both Democrats and Republicans expressed concerns about Pulte’s nomination.
Trump praised Pulte’s intelligence and honesty during a news event.
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The House of Representatives voted against a resolution introduced by Rep. Rashida Tlaib that would require President Trump to remove U.S. troops from Lebanon within seven days. The vote was 92 in favor and 324 against, with Democratic leaders opposing the measure, saying no U.S. forces are currently engaged in combat in Lebanon.
Key Facts
Rep. Rashida Tlaib introduced a resolution to remove U.S. armed forces from Lebanon within seven days.
The House voted 92 to 324 against the resolution, with two members voting present.
Democratic leaders said no U.S. servicemembers are currently involved in combat operations in Lebanon.
A revised war powers resolution by Tlaib, with support from House Foreign Affairs Democrats, was introduced after this vote to limit President Trump's military actions in Lebanon.
The resolution came amid recent fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed group in southern Lebanon.
A U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon was announced as fighting escalated.
Republican members argued U.S. forces are not in conflict in Lebanon, opposing Tlaib's resolution.
The House also recently passed a related war powers resolution to limit President Trump’s military actions against Iran.
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Andy Burnham said he would try to join any Labour Party leadership race if he wins the Makerfield by-election on June 18. Other candidates and politicians made comments about the election and the party’s leadership situation.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham is currently the Mayor of Greater Manchester.
Burnham wants to run for Parliament by winning the Makerfield by-election.
He would seek to become Labour leader if he became an MP.
Keir Starmer is the current Labour Party leader and Prime Minister.
No formal leadership challenge has started against Starmer.
Wes Streeting, a former Health Secretary, has said he plans to run for Labour leader.
Reform UK candidate Robert Kenyon opposes career politicians and criticizes Burnham.
Other candidates in the by-election include Conservative Michael Winstanley, Green Party Sarah Wakefield, and Liberal Democrat Jake Austin.
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A recent poll by Quinnipiac University found that 22 percent of Americans do not consider themselves proud Americans. The survey was conducted just before the United States celebrated its 250th anniversary.
Key Facts
The poll was released on Thursday.
22% of Americans said they do not feel proud to be American.
73% of Americans said they do feel proud to be American.
The poll was conducted shortly before the country's 250th anniversary.
The survey reflects varying levels of patriotism among the U.S. population.
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The House Oversight Committee shared the transcript of its private interview with former Attorney General Pam Bondi. In the interview, Bondi refused to answer some questions and said acting Attorney General Todd Blanche was responsible for handling records related to Jeffrey Epstein.
Key Facts
The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee released the transcript on Thursday.
The transcript is from a closed-door meeting with Pam Bondi.
Pam Bondi is a former Attorney General.
The meeting lasted about four hours.
Bondi declined to answer several questions during the interview.
She said acting Attorney General Todd Blanche was responsible for handling Epstein files.
The interview focused on how Epstein-related documents were managed.
Epstein refers to Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender.
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Hunter Biden criticized CNN anchor Jake Tapper for his negative review of Jill Biden’s new book about her time in the White House. Tapper questioned Jill Biden’s claims about President Joe Biden’s health in his review.
Key Facts
Hunter Biden expressed strong disapproval of Jake Tapper’s review.
The review focused on Jill Biden’s memoir titled "View from the East Wing."
Jill Biden’s book discusses her experiences in the White House.
Tapper criticized Jill Biden’s statements on President Biden’s physical and mental health in 2024.
President Joe Biden’s health and fitness have been topics of public interest.
The article centers on the Biden family and media coverage of them.
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A Colorado appeals court has reversed the homicide convictions of two paramedics involved in the death of Elijah McClain, a Black man who died after police restrained him and paramedics gave him ketamine. The court ordered new trials because of problems with jury instructions, while upholding one assault conviction.
Key Facts
Elijah McClain died in 2019 after police restrained him and paramedics injected him with ketamine.
Paramedics Jeremy Cooper and Peter Cichuniec were found guilty in 2023 of criminally negligent homicide; Cichuniec was also convicted of felony assault.
Cooper was sentenced to 14 months in jail with work release and probation; Cichuniec received five years in prison.
The Colorado appeals court reversed the homicide convictions and ordered new trials due to faulty jury instructions.
The court kept Cichuniec’s felony assault conviction.
Cichuniec was released early in 2024 after his sentencing was reduced to probation.
The judge noted Cichuniec had to make quick decisions during the incident as the top paramedic on the scene.
The case is connected to broader public discussions about police treatment of Black individuals.
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Sarah Kellen, a former assistant to Jeffrey Epstein, told the House Oversight Committee that she was sexually abused by Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, and two other men. Lawmakers have asked the Justice Department to investigate allegations against Philip Levine, a former mayor of Miami Beach, and celebrity hairstylist Frédéric Fekkai.
Key Facts
Sarah Kellen testified in a closed-door interview with the House Oversight Committee on May 21, 2026.
Kellen said she was abused by Jeffrey Epstein for over ten years and also by Ghislaine Maxwell.
She named Philip Levine and Frédéric Fekkai as additional alleged abusers.
Philip Levine was a wealthy businessman and later became mayor of Miami Beach.
The House Oversight Committee, led by Chairman James Comer, requested the Justice Department investigate these allegations.
Both Levine and Fekkai have denied the accusations.
Kellen was included in Epstein’s 2007 non-prosecution agreement without being interviewed by law enforcement until after Epstein’s 2019 arrest.
Kellen voluntarily appeared before the committee but limited her answers to her own experiences and did not discuss other victims or details about Epstein’s recruiting scheme.
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Senate Republicans blocked a Democratic attempt to stop President Trump from creating a $1.8 billion fund to pay his allies. The proposal caused disagreement within the Republican party, and the issue remains unsettled as debates continue over related immigration funding.
Key Facts
Democrats tried to add a rule to a bill to stop President Trump’s $1.8 billion fund for paying allies.
The vote failed narrowly, 49-50, with three Republican senators joining Democrats to support the rule.
The fund is linked to paying people connected to the January 6 insurrection.
The fund is part of a larger $70 billion bill to finance immigration enforcement agencies ICE and CBP through 2029.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said the administration would not move forward with the fund.
Senate Republican divisions on this fund complicated agreements on immigration enforcement funding.
Senator Thom Tillis proposed a different amendment to block the fund and redirect money to fight fraud, but it also failed.
The debate is ongoing, with Democrats pushing for a permanent law to block the fund’s money from being spent.
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