Trump admin updates: Trump marks 1 year since assassination attempt in Butler, PA

Trump reflected on the death of Corey Comperatore, who was killed at the rally.

Last Updated: July 13, 2025, 8:43 PM EDT

President Trump defended his attorney Pam Bondi on Saturday as leadership at the Justice Department and the FBI face turmoil over its handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.

Trump praised Bondi for doing a "fantastic job" and urged his "boys" and "gals" to stop criticizing her. "LET PAM BONDI DO HER JOB — SHE’S GREAT!" he posted on his social media platform.

On Sunday, the president and first lady Melania Trump are attending the FIFA Club World Cup in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing.
Jul 12, 2025, 5:57 PM EDT

Trump defends Bondi amid internal GOP tensions over Epstein probe

Trump defended Bondi in a social media post Saturday as leadership at the Justice Department and the FBI face turmoil over its handling of the Epstein probe.

Trump praised Bondi for doing a "fantastic job" and urged his "boys" and "gals" to stop criticizing her.

"We have a PERFECT Administration, THE TALK OF THE WORLD, and 'selfish people' are trying to hurt it, all over a guy who never dies, Jeffrey Epstein," Trump said, encouraging unity within the Republican party.

Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Scott Turner and Attorney General Pam Bondi look on as President Donald Trump speaks during a cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, July 8, 2025.
Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

"LET PAM BONDI DO HER JOB — SHE’S GREAT!" he continued.

The Epstein files for years have been the subject of widespread speculation and conspiracy theories, Trump dismissed the controversy.

"One year ago our Country was DEAD, now it’s the 'HOTTEST' Country anywhere in the World. Let’s keep it that way, and not waste Time and Energy on Jeffrey Epstein, somebody that nobody cares about," Trump said.

-ABC News' Kelsey Walsh

Jul 12, 2025, 11:32 AM EDT

Bondi fires 20 federal officials with ties to Jack Smith: Sources

Attorney General Pam Bondi has fired at least 20 prosecutors and support staffers who assisted former Special Counsel Jack Smith's investigations into President Trump, sources familiar with the matter told ABC News Saturday.

Senior leadership at the department had already ousted most of the remaining prosecutors associated with the probes.

A DOJ spokesperson didn't immediately respond to request.

In this Aug. 1, 2023, file photo, Special Prosecutor Jack Smith addresses reporters in Washington, D.C.
The Washington Post via Getty Images, FILE

Some of staffers who have been identified through the Justice Department's "weaponization working group" may not have had any significant role in driving the prosecutions themselves and were, support staff, litigation assistants and U.S. marshals, according to sources.

The firings have sent a chill through the remainder of DOJs career workforce, which had previously been left shaken by dramatic purges and reassignments of officials in the early days of Trump's presidency.

-ABC News' Katherine Faulders and Alexander Mallin

Jul 12, 2025, 10:16 AM EDT

Trump announces 30% tariffs on European Union and Mexico

President Donald Trump has posted two letters on his social media platform announcing new tariffs on the European Union and Mexico.

Trump will impose a 30% tariff on Mexico due to fentanyl crossing the border and a 30% tariff on the EU as a result of the U.S. trade deficit.

In this April 4, 2025, file photo, shipping trucks pause at the commercial port of entry from the Mexico side of the US-Mexico border in Nogales, Ariz.
Ross D. Franklin/AP, FILE

-ABC News' Kelsey Walsh

Jul 12, 2025, 5:35 AM EDT

Judge restricting California immigration raids is 'undermining the will of the American people,' DHS says

The federal judge who temporarily barred the Trump administration from conducting broad, untargeted immigration stops and arrests in parts of California was "undermining the will of the American people," the Department of Homeland Security said.

"America's brave men and women are removing murderers, MS-13 gang members, pedophiles, rapists -- truly the worst of the worst from Golden State communities," the department said in a statement.

A farm field is seen on Friday, July 11, 2025, in Camarillo, Calif.
Jae C. Hong/AP

U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, of California's Central District, said federal agents "will continue to enforce the law and abide by the U.S. Constitution."

"We strongly disagree with the allegations in the lawsuit and maintain that our agents have never detained individuals without proper legal justification," he said in a statement.

-ABC News' Jack Moore

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