The US Senate unanimously passed a resolution opposing any presidential pardon or clemency for Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking related to Jeffrey Epstein. The resolution is symbolic and expresses the Senate’s commitment to justice for victims of sexual exploitation and trafficking.
Key Facts
The resolution was introduced by Senator Jacky Rosen, a Democrat from Nevada.
It states Maxwell should not receive any pardon or clemency from President Donald Trump.
Senate resolutions like this are non-binding and serve as a formal statement of opinion.
The vote was unanimous, with Republicans not objecting to the resolution.
Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for sex trafficking offenses.
Maxwell has exhausted her legal appeals, with the Supreme Court declining to hear her case in October.
President Trump previously said he would consider looking into a pardon but made no decision.
Todd Blanche, the acting attorney general, said he would not recommend pardoning Maxwell.
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President Donald Trump has announced a $22 billion plan to upgrade Dulles International Airport near Washington, DC. The project will replace old mobile lounges with a larger train system and new terminals as part of efforts to improve the area.
Key Facts
The renovation plan for Dulles Airport costs $22 billion.
It aims to replace mobile lounges that have been in use since 1962.
The new system will include an expanded train network to transport passengers.
New concourses (terminal sections) will be built as part of the upgrade.
The plan is part of President Trump’s broader initiatives to enhance the Washington DC capital area.
Travelers say the airport needs modernization but feel nostalgic about the old mobile lounges.
The airport is near Washington, DC, serving both domestic and international flights.
The announcement was reported by BBC journalist Shaimaa Khalil.
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Several companies linked to President Donald Trump have said they are not part of a tax settlement that bars the IRS from auditing Trump and related entities. This settlement, finalized by the Justice Department, is under Senate investigation as some senators question its scope and fairness.
Key Facts
The Justice Department settled a tax lawsuit with President Trump, barring the IRS from pursuing tax claims based on past returns.
The settlement covers Trump, his eldest sons Don Jr. and Eric, and the Trump Organization.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche signed the settlement, stating it applies to related companies and affiliates.
Senate Democrats, including Senator Elizabeth Warren, are investigating whether Trump-affiliated companies are also protected by this deal.
Companies such as Kaz Resources, Powerus, World Liberty Financial, and Trump Media and Technology Group received letters asking if they are included in the settlement.
Some companies distanced themselves from the settlement, saying they are not part of it.
Two Republican senators opposed Blanche’s confirmation partly due to concerns about this deal providing Trump unusual tax immunity.
Several Trump-related companies did not respond to the Senate’s requests for clarification.
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Dr. Anthony Fauci used the Fifth Amendment during a Senate hearing, meaning he chose not to answer some questions to avoid self-incrimination. At the same time, the Federal Reserve decided to keep interest rates the same.
Key Facts
Dr. Anthony Fauci took the Fifth Amendment in a Senate hearing.
The Fifth Amendment allows a person to avoid answering questions to prevent self-incrimination.
The Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged.
Interest rates affect how much it costs to borrow money.
The news was covered in a segment called "The Takeout with Major Garrett" on CBS News.
This information was shared on July 29.
The hearing involved questions directed at Dr. Fauci.
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The Manhattan district attorney’s office is asking a New York appeals court to reject President Donald Trump’s challenges to his 2024 criminal conviction for hush money payments. Trump was convicted of falsifying business records related to payments made to Stormy Daniels during his 2016 campaign, but he argues presidential immunity should protect him from some evidence used in the trial.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump was convicted in 2024 of 34 counts of falsifying business records.
The charges relate to hush money payments made to Stormy Daniels, an adult film actress, during the 2016 election.
Manhattan prosecutors say Trump used false records to cover up the payments.
Trump claims the 2024 Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity protects him from some prosecution evidence.
The Manhattan DA’s office disagrees, stating the payments were “unofficial” acts and not protected by immunity.
The trial judge, Justice Juan Merchan, was accused by Trump of bias due to small donations to Democrats, but prosecutors said the judge had no reason to recuse himself.
Although Trump faced possible prison time, the judge gave him an unconditional discharge because of the unusual situation of sentencing a president-elect.
The case makes Trump the first U.S. president to take office with a felony conviction.
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Dr. Anthony Fauci's diary from the COVID-19 pandemic has been released by Senator Rand Paul during a Senate hearing. The diary shows Fauci’s private thoughts about the virus origins and the pandemic response, which mostly align with what he said publicly, including uncertainty about where the virus started and how it spread.
Key Facts
Senator Rand Paul subpoenaed Dr. Fauci to testify about his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Fauci kept a detailed diary during the pandemic, with over 1,000 pages of entries.
The diary was obtained from government computers and shared with a GOP-led Senate committee.
Fauci’s diary states that early COVID infections were not directly connected to a market in China but the market helped spread the virus.
Fauci publicly said the market amplified the virus but likely was not the original source.
Fauci and other scientists considered the theory that the virus might have leaked from a lab, but there is no proof of this.
Most scientists believe the virus probably came from animals in nature before infecting humans.
During the hearing, Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment and declined to answer some questions.
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A court-appointed doctor reported that the California City Immigration Processing Center, the largest ICE detention center in California, is not providing adequate healthcare to detainees. The facility, run by CoreCivic but now owned by the federal government, has issues with staffing, delays in medication, and poor management, which puts detainees’ health at risk.
Key Facts
The California City detention center is about 75 miles east of Bakersfield and was recently bought by the federal government.
CoreCivic, a private prison company, still operates the facility.
Dr. Muthusamy Anandkumar was appointed by a judge to monitor healthcare in the detention center following a lawsuit by seven detainees.
Anandkumar’s report found 13 areas where healthcare was deficient, including emergency care and management of chronic diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure.
Detainees experienced long delays in getting medications and cancer treatments.
Staffing shortages led to untrained workers having to cover shifts and train new staff.
A previous inspection by Disability Rights California found similar problems with medication delays and scheduling surgeries.
CoreCivic stated that the facility offers daily physical and mental health services and coordinates with outside doctors when needed.
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The Department of Justice (DOJ) sought help from Sammy "The Bull" Gravano, a former gangster turned informant, in a case against former FBI Director James Comey. Comey's defense claims Gravano said the term "86" would not be used as a threat by gangsters, which could weaken the government's case that Comey's Instagram post was a violent threat against President Donald Trump.
Key Facts
James Comey was indicted in April 2026 for a social media post with seashells spelling "8647," which prosecutors say threatened President Trump.
The DOJ interviewed Sammy "The Bull" Gravano to see if Comey could have understood "86" as meaning murder or violence.
Gravano, who admitted to involvement in 19 murders before cooperating with law enforcement, said gangsters would not use "86" because police knew what it meant.
Gravano did not see Comey’s post as a personal threat of violence.
Comey's lawyers argue that evidence obtained via search warrants should be dismissed because prosecutors misled judges by leaving out key details.
Federal agents searched extensive organized crime records and interviewed experts about the term "86" without finding support for the prosecution’s theory.
The case hinges on whether Comey, given his FBI background, would have interpreted "86" as a violent threat.
Gravano's lawyer said Gravano is willing to testify truthfully at Comey's trial.
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President Donald Trump announced a $22.5 billion plan to renovate Washington Dulles International Airport. The project will replace the old mobile lounges with a new passenger train, walking tunnel, and more moving walkways to improve traveler access.
Key Facts
The renovation budget is $22.5 billion.
The project will end the use of mobile lounges called "people movers."
A new U-shaped passenger train will replace the people movers.
The plan includes a central walking tunnel and additional moving walkways.
A new above-ground parking garage will be built close to the main terminal.
The parking garage will have space for 32,000 vehicles.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy joined President Trump for the announcement.
The renovation is part of President Trump’s larger effort to improve infrastructure in the Washington, D.C. region before his term ends in 2029.
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Politicians in the United States are using profanity more often in public speeches and social media. They do this to seem more real, show anger, and break away from traditional formal language in politics.
Key Facts
President Donald Trump said U.S. forces would "beat the fucking shit" out of Iranian forces after an attack in Jordan.
Senator Bernie Moreno used profanity to criticize Dr. Anthony Fauci during a Senate hearing on COVID-19 mask rules.
Since 1919, U.S. presidents and top politicians have sworn in public at least 692 times, with 605 instances in the last 10 years.
President Trump and President Joe Biden are responsible for 78% of these swear words, with Trump using stronger language.
Research shows voters see swearing as informal, making politicians seem more like regular people and improving how voters feel about them.
Male politicians tend to gain more positive effects from cursing than female politicians, who may face more criticism for it.
Social media algorithms promote emotional and shocking content, helping politicians reach voters without traditional broadcast rules.
Experts warn that while profanity can attract attention, it cannot replace detailed policy work by politicians.
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A new bipartisan bill called the Increasing Mental Health Options Act aims to make it easier for Medicare patients to get mental health care. The bill would let psychologists provide services without needing a doctor's approval first, which could speed up treatment, especially for seniors in rural areas and nursing homes.
Key Facts
The bill was introduced by Senators John Kennedy (R) and Martin Heinrich (D).
It would remove the rule that psychologists need physician approval to offer mental health services in certain settings.
This change could reduce delays in mental health care for Medicare patients.
Psychologists would also become eligible for bonus payments when working in areas with few mental health professionals.
Mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and loneliness affect many older Americans on Medicare.
The bill aims to update Medicare rules to better match modern mental health care needs.
The bill was sent to the Senate Finance Committee for review.
Nursing home residents, who often face depression or anxiety, might benefit most from faster access to care.
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President Donald Trump said he is not worried about Senator John Cornyn possibly blocking the nomination of acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. Trump mentioned that he has heard the nomination process is going well.
Key Facts
President Trump spoke about the nomination of Todd Blanche as acting Attorney General.
Senator John Cornyn from Texas has the power to delay the nomination.
Trump said he has not heard of any problems with the nomination.
He believes the nomination is progressing without issues.
The discussion happened on a Wednesday during the nomination process.
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President Donald Trump announced a $22 billion plan to renovate Dulles International Airport. The project will build new terminals and remove the airport’s current shuttle system called the “people mover.”
Key Facts
The renovation budget is $22 billion.
The project will include new airport terminals.
The airport’s “people mover” shuttle system will be removed.
President Trump made the announcement in the Oval Office.
He said the airport is unpleasant for all travelers, regardless of political views.
The announcement was made on a Wednesday.
The plan aims to improve the overall experience at Dulles International Airport.
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Indie singer Noah Kahan criticized President Trump for using his song "American Cars" in a White House Instagram post without permission. Kahan said he would not approve his music being used to support the current administration.
Key Facts
Noah Kahan is an indie singer.
The White House used Kahan’s song “American Cars” in an Instagram post.
The post was captioned “Made in America is BACK.”
Kahan commented that he never approved the use of his song.
He expressed disapproval of his music being linked to President Trump’s administration.
The issue highlights artists’ concerns about how their music is used in politics.
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President Donald Trump asked lawmakers to change a bill that puts sanctions on Russia and to give him special powers to impose tariffs on Iran. This request may make it harder for the bill to pass in the House of Representatives. Some Democrats support the bill but worry about the broad tariff powers it would give the president.
Key Facts
President Trump wants revisions to a Russia sanctions bill.
He is asking for authority to impose tariffs on Iran.
The bill is moving toward a vote in the House of Representatives.
Democrats mostly support the sanctions bill.
Some Democrats are concerned about the wide tariff powers in the bill.
The bill is named after Senator Lindsey Graham.
The new demands could delay or complicate the bill’s passage.
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A federal judge is reviewing a request to stop the transfer of transgender women inmates into a separate prison unit after a court order required they be housed in women’s facilities. The inmates’ lawyer says this transfer violates their rights and harms their health, while government lawyers argue the transfers follow the judge’s order.
Key Facts
A judge issued an order saying transgender women inmates must be housed in women’s prisons or halfway houses.
The Trump administration signed an executive order requiring inmates to be housed by biological sex and halting gender-affirming care.
Several transgender women were transferred to a segregated unit in a Texas prison instead of women’s facilities.
The inmates’ lawyer says this segregation violates their constitutional rights and worsens gender dysphoria, a distress caused by a mismatch between gender identity and assigned sex.
The judge has not yet decided whether to block the transfers or return inmates to the general women’s population.
Government lawyers say the transfers don’t break the court order because inmates don’t have to be housed with other women or share common areas.
They also argue the inmates must first use prison complaint procedures before going to court.
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President Donald Trump announced plans to expand and improve Dulles International Airport near Washington, D.C. The project will renovate existing facilities, add new spaces, replace old transportation systems, and include more shops and services. The government and airlines will finance the $22.5 billion project, which still requires some approvals.
Key Facts
President Trump revealed plans to overhaul and expand Dulles International Airport outside Washington.
The airport will add or renovate more than 5 million square feet of space.
The current "C" and "D" concourses will be replaced.
A new 32,000-space parking garage will be built closer to the airport.
The airport will replace the "people movers" system with an air train.
New restaurants, shops, and a large United Polaris lounge will be added.
The project will cost about $22.5 billion, funded by bonds and airlines like United.
The plan still needs some approvals from Congress before moving forward.
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Todd Blanche’s chance to become the permanent US attorney general is uncertain because a key Republican senator wants written proof that a $1.8 billion fund connected to a legal settlement is no longer active. The Senate judiciary committee will vote soon on Blanche’s nomination, but some senators have concerns about parts of the agreement involving President Trump and his family.
Key Facts
Todd Blanche is currently acting US attorney general and was President Trump’s personal lawyer.
The Senate judiciary committee will vote on whether to confirm Blanche permanently.
Senator John Cornyn, a key Republican swing vote, wants written assurance that a $1.8 billion fund is canceled before supporting Blanche.
The fund was part of a deal to resolve a $10 billion lawsuit Trump filed against the IRS over leaked tax returns.
The agreement included immunity from tax audits for Trump, his family, and businesses for documents filed before the deal.
The fund and the immunity clause have caused bipartisan criticism and concerns about fairness.
Blanche said the department is ending the fund but has not provided written proof.
Cornyn also wants clarity that the tax audit immunity does not apply to future cases or people outside the settlement.
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A key Republican senator, John Cornyn, is delaying the vote on Todd Blanche's nomination for attorney general. Cornyn wants more written assurances from the Justice Department about a settlement that protects President Donald Trump and his family from certain tax audits. This delay could block the Senate Judiciary Committee from moving Blanche's nomination forward.
Key Facts
Todd Blanche is nominated for attorney general and is currently acting in that role.
Senator John Cornyn is a significant Republican vote who has paused his support due to concerns about a Trump-related IRS settlement.
The settlement protects President Trump and his family from some tax audits.
Cornyn canceled a scheduled meeting with Blanche over these concerns.
Another Republican senator, Thom Tillis, supports Cornyn’s position.
The Senate Judiciary Committee planned to vote on Blanche’s nomination on Thursday.
If even one Republican opposes, the nomination could fail to advance.
Blanche replaced Pam Bondi, who was fired in April.
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President Donald Trump answered questions from reporters at the White House on topics including the conflict in Iran, Dr. Anthony Fauci’s use of the Fifth Amendment at a recent hearing, and artificial intelligence. After the president’s remarks, a CBS News correspondent discussed Mr. Trump’s plans to change Dulles International Airport near Washington, D.C.
Key Facts
President Trump spoke to reporters at the White House.
He addressed questions about the situation in Iran.
He discussed Dr. Anthony Fauci invoking the Fifth Amendment during a Capitol Hill hearing.
The president also talked about artificial intelligence (AI).
A CBS News transportation correspondent discussed Trump’s proposed changes to Dulles International Airport.
The airport is located outside Washington, D.C.
The event and discussion were covered by CBS News.
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