Trump Live Updates: Tens of Thousands of Epstein Files Leaked, Democrats Dispute Public Access Claims

Trump Live Updates: Tens of Thousands of Epstein Files Leaked, Democrats Dispute Public Access Claims

M Hasan    7:01 AM   

Key Developments in the Trump Administration and Related News

The recent days have been marked by several significant developments involving President Donald Trump, his administration, and various political and legal issues. These include the release of documents related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a major announcement regarding the relocation of the U.S. Space Command, and ongoing debates over the president's health and actions.

Release of Epstein Files and Political Reactions

The House Oversight Committee has released over 33,000 pages of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein after subpoenaing the Justice Department for them. However, Democrats argue that most of the information is already public. Congressman Robert Garcia stated that 97% of the documents were already available to the public, with no new information or client lists that could improve transparency or justice for victims.

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Georgia Republican, expressed her support for a discharge petition aimed at releasing more Epstein-related documents. Meanwhile, Representative Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, claimed there was “nothing new” in the released files. Despite these efforts, the majority of the documents are seen as re-releases of already public information.

Trump’s Announcement on Space Command Relocation

President Trump announced the relocation of the U.S. Space Command from Colorado to Alabama, reversing a decision made during the Biden administration. This move has drawn criticism from Colorado’s congressional delegation, who argue it undermines national security and punishes a state that has increasingly voted Democratic. The relocation is viewed as a politically motivated decision, potentially rewarding Alabama, a reliably Republican state.

Trump emphasized the strategic importance of the move, stating that Huntsville, Alabama, would be known as "Rocket City." The decision carries economic implications for both states, as they have long competed to host the command.

Health Rumors and Public Appearances

After a period of absence from the public eye, Trump made his first official public appearance in a week, addressing online speculation about his health. He blamed the media for "fake" reports and dismissed rumors of his death. During this appearance, he also announced the relocation of the U.S. Space Command, the attack on a drug boat from Venezuela, and plans to send federal troops to Chicago and Baltimore to combat crime.

Trump also addressed footage of a bag being thrown from a White House window, calling it AI-generated despite earlier explanations from his staff. This contradiction led to further scrutiny and questions about the authenticity of the video.

Legal and Political Challenges

The Trump administration faced legal challenges, including a federal judge ruling that deploying the National Guard to Los Angeles violated the Posse Comitatus Act. Additionally, the administration has faced backlash over its immigration policies, with some Trump voters expressing shock at the methods used in the crackdown.

In another development, the DC grand jury again declined to bring charges against individuals accused of making threats against an official, marking another defeat for Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia.

Economic and International Implications

Trump's tariffs have sparked anti-American sentiment in countries like Canada and India, where consumers have begun boycotting U.S.-made goods. Economists, including Nobel laureates, have signed an open letter supporting Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, criticizing Trump's unproven allegations against her.

Meanwhile, protests across the country highlighted concerns over the administration's policies, with tens of thousands participating in demonstrations demanding better protections for U.S. workers.

Other Notable Events

• National Guard Activities: National Guard troops deployed to Washington, D.C., to combat crime have also participated in beautification efforts, collecting 500 bags of trash.
• Political Alliances: Republican House members expressed strong support for Trump’s initiatives, including legislation aimed at making streets safer.
• International Tensions: Trump’s comments on potential military action against Venezuela have escalated tensions, with Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro warning of a "republic in arms" if attacked.
• Legal Actions: A federal judge ruled that Trump illegally sent the National Guard to Los Angeles in response to protests against his anti-immigration agenda.

These developments underscore the complex and often contentious landscape of the Trump administration, with ongoing debates over policy, legality, and public perception.

Trump-driven clashes pave way for GOP's congressional comeback

Trump-driven clashes pave way for GOP's congressional comeback

M Hasan    5:00 PM   

GOP Lawmakers Face a Host of Controversies as They Return to Washington

As the summer recess comes to an end, Republican lawmakers returning to Washington are facing a complex web of challenges that have emerged from the actions of President Trump and his senior Cabinet officials. These issues have largely been avoided during the long August break, but now they must be addressed head-on.

One of the most pressing concerns is the potential for a government shutdown at the end of September. This scenario has become increasingly likely after President Trump announced his plan to rescind nearly $5 billion in funding that Congress had previously approved through a “pocket rescission” package. Democrats have strongly criticized this move, and it is expected that they will push for the restoration of these funds in any stopgap funding deal aimed at keeping federal agencies operational into October.

The issue of the $5 billion rescission has created divisions among Republicans. Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine) has stated that the Government Accountability Office found such a rescission to be “unlawful.” She and other Republicans on the Appropriations panel argue that the administration should not be handling rescissions directly and instead, the process should involve the Senate and House Appropriations committees. However, the Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought is moving forward with the pocket rescission, which would bypass congressional spending authority entirely.

Former Senator Judd Gregg (R-N.H.) expressed concern about the difficulty of keeping the government open under the current political climate. He noted that the deep partisan divides in Washington could make it challenging to pass a continuing resolution, stating, “I’m not sure that we’re not at a point where the antagonisms are so deep and so virulent that you can’t get a continuing resolution.”

The CDC Crisis

Another major issue involves the controversial firing of Susan Monarez, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This decision, made by President Trump and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., led to the resignation of several senior officials and raised questions about the direction of vaccination policies for children. The political fallout from this decision is expected to dominate discussions in the coming weeks.

Senators will have the opportunity to question Kennedy on the matter when he testifies before the Senate Finance Committee. The appearance will also give Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, a chance to challenge Kennedy on the firing of Monarez and the resignations of other officials. Several high-ranking CDC officials, including Demetre Daskalakis, Daniel Jernigan, and Debra Houry, have stepped down following the shake-up.

Cassidy has called for oversight of the situation and urged the Department of Health and Human Services’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices to indefinitely postpone a meeting scheduled for September 18, where recommendations on vaccinations were expected to be made.

Trump's Conflict with the Federal Reserve

Republicans have remained relatively quiet on Trump’s attempt to fire Lisa Cook, the first Black woman to serve on the Federal Reserve’s board of governors. Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.) has expressed uncertainty about whether Trump has the legal authority to do so, noting the unusual nature of the president’s move. Several Republican senators have warned against undermining the Fed’s independence, fearing it could harm market confidence and the broader economy.

Cook has refused to resign and has filed a lawsuit to challenge her dismissal. The Trump administration has urged a federal judge to dismiss her case, asserting broad authority to remove members of the Federal Reserve. However, GOP senators have pushed back against this claim, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the Fed’s independence.

Russia Sanctions and Military Aid to Ukraine

Republican senators are divided on how to handle the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Some, like Sen. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), are pushing for additional military aid, while others, such as Sen. Lindsey Graham (S.C.), are advocating for tough sanctions against Russia. The issue has gained urgency following a recent Russian drone and missile attack in Kyiv that killed at least 21 people.

Trump had previously expressed frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling him “very nice to us all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless.” However, during an August summit meeting in Alaska, Trump greeted Putin warmly, raising questions about his stance on the matter.

Political science professor Steven S. Smith believes that Republicans may be able to quietly convince Trump to support more military aid to Ukraine, despite his initial reluctance.

Trump’s Authority Over DC Police Force

Trump’s emergency takeover of the Washington, D.C., police force under the 1973 Home Rule Act expires on September 10, and there is little chance that Congress will extend his authority. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer has ruled out any extension of the National Guard’s deployment in the nation’s capital. While some GOP lawmakers support Trump’s efforts to address crime and illegal immigration, deploying troops in major cities remains a sensitive topic.

The Intel Deal

Trump’s agreement to acquire a 10 percent stake in Intel in exchange for $11 billion in subsidies through the CHIPS and Science Act has drawn criticism from some Republicans. Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) called the move a “step toward socialism,” while Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) expressed discomfort with the government becoming a major investor in a private company. Sen. Todd Young, who helped draft the original legislation, said the intent of the bill was never to lead to a partial government takeover of Intel.

These issues highlight the complex challenges facing GOP lawmakers as they return to Washington, with no easy solutions in sight.

Xi Hammers Home Message of Control Over Tibet in Rare Visit

Xi Hammers Home Message of Control Over Tibet in Rare Visit

M Hasan    5:26 PM   

(My Healthty Life) -- Chinese leader Xi Jinping called for his government to tighten its ethnic-assimilation campaign during a rare visit to Tibet, throwing a spotlight on a region that’s also been a source oftension with India even as the rivals improve ties. 

Xi made his second-ever visit to Tibet as president to mark the 60th anniversary of its founding as an autonomous region of China. While he didn’t speak at a ceremony Thursday in the provincial capital Lhasa, attended by some 20,000 people and televised to the nation, the state-run Xinhua News Agency reported that Xi told local officials maintaining political stability, social order, ethnic solidarity and religious harmony are key for Tibet’s development.

“It is necessary to actively create a national model zone for ethnic unity and progress,” Xi was cited as saying by Xinhua on Wednesday. In reference to Mandarin, he urged the popularization of the “national common language and script,” adding “we must guide Tibetan Buddhism to adapt to socialist society.”

His trip represents the first time a Chinese president has attended the ceremony to mark Tibet’s founding — an occasion usually frequented by lower-level officials — signaling Xi’s desire to further integrate ethnic groups under Communist Party control.

“It is very striking that Xi himself decided to attend what is in many ways a routine event,” said Robert Barnett, a professor at SOAS University of London. “The visit seems to suggest a serious anxiety about security there.”

During Xi’s more than decade-long rule, the Chinese government has steered away from its long-held policy of championing ethnic autonomy. Instead, it’s moved toward tighter integration and centralized control of minority groups, drawing a lesson from the Soviet Union’s collapse.

Xi arrived in Lhasa on Wednesday, hours after India and China agreed to explore demarcating their disputed border that runs along Tibet’s southern edge, a key move toward resolving decades-old territorial disputes. The decision came as Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi wrapped up a two-day visit to India — his first in three years.

The world’s two most-populous nations have clashed repeatedly over their disputed border in the past 70 years. Ties plunged sharply in 2020 after a deadly confrontation but have recently been on the mend, with efforts gaining urgency amid US President Donald Trump’s tariff policy.

China and India have also split in the past over choosing a successor to the Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader, who’s been hosted by India after fleeing the region in 1959, nine years after China took control.

While China’s government says it has the right to designate his successor, the Dalai Lama — who turned 90 last month — insists his office would be the sole authority on reincarnation.

The issue is a point of contention between China and India even as they try to repair ties, with Beijing last month lodging a complaint after Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent birthday wishes to the Dalai Lama. India has said it doesn’t interfere in religious matters.

Read more:

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Beijing has faced criticism for its policies in Tibet. It’s been subject to intense social, security and religious restrictions, much like its northern neighbor Xinjiang. 

Xi’s visit indicates Beijing attaches high importance to the region’s development, according to Xinhua, given the president is personally leading a central government delegation to Tibet for the first time. 

In a speech delivered at the ceremony in Tibet, Wang Huning, China’s No.4 official, called for ensuring border stability in the country’s fight against separatism. Cadres in the region should “strengthen innovative social governance, and form an iron wall for maintaining stability,” he said.

Xi previously made a trip to Tibet in 2021 — more than three decades after Jiang Zemin became the last Chinese leader to visit the region. 

It appears Xi flew directly into Lhasa, a city at an altitude of about 3,650 meters (12,000 feet), without first stopping along the way to acclimatize as he did during his last trip in 2021.

For the Chinese leader, who turned 72 in June, it was a “health flex,” Victor Shih, a professor at the University of California, San Diego, said on X.

As he met with local officials, Xi also called for progress on delivering key infrastructure projects in the region. Chief among these is the massive 1.2 trillion yuan ($167 billion) mega-dam, which is three times the size of the Three Gorges Dam.

The dam could also become a source of tension between China and India, as the river runs through the state of Arunachal Pradesh in northeast India and feeds into the Brahmaputra River, which then flows into Bangladesh. China has said it’s talked with countries downstream about the project.

During Wang’s visit, India reiterated its concern about the dam’s construction, which it said “will have implications for lower riparian states,” and called “for utmost transparency in this regard.”

Major ventures such as the Yarlung Tsangpo hydropower project and the Sichuan-Tibet railway must be advanced with “strength, order and efficiency,” Xinhua cited Xi as saying on Wednesday. 

The Chinese leader also urged Tibet to develop agriculture and clean energy, while promoting the integration of culture and tourism.

“The Chinese fear seems to be about inner Tibetan thinking — a fear that Tibetans are still disloyal in their hearts even after more than 70 years under Chinese rule,” said Barnett, who also headed Columbia University’s Modern Tibetan Studies Program until 2018 and writes extensively about the region.

“Exceptional degrees of pressure and persuasion must have been used by local officials to achieve that display of total unity,” he said. “So the signaling of Xi’s visit so far seems very mixed indeed.”

--With assistance from Colum Murphy and Sudhi Ranjan Sen.

(Updates with analyst comments starting in fifth paragraph.)

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