President Donald Trump continues to face backlash from his MAGA supporters over his administration's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, calling on Attorney General Pam Bondi "to produce any and all pertinent Grand Jury testimony, subject to Court approval" related to the case.
On Friday, Trump signed the GENIUS Act -- the first major federal cryptocurrency bill -- into law.
Trump pushes back against critics over Epstein probe
Although President Donald Trump ordered the Justice Department to request the release of more details in the probe of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, he claimed Saturday that the move may do little to quell the outspoken criticism of his administration's handling of the case.
The president reiterated on social media that he asked the DOJ "to release all Grand Jury testimony with respect to Jeffrey Epstein, subject only to Court Approval." Trump, however, lashed out against the loud voices who have called for transparency.
President Donald Trump leaves after signing the "GENIUS Act" into law during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, July 18, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
"Even if the Court gave its full and unwavering approval, nothing will be good enough for the troublemakers and radical left lunatics making the request. It will always be more, more, more," Trump said in his post.
Jul 19, 2025, 12:55 PM EDT
9 of 10 Americans freed from Venezuela back in US: Source
Nine of the 10 Americans freed from Venezuela in the latest swap are now back on U.S. soil, an official familiar with the matter told ABC News Saturday.
This handout released by El Salvador's presidency shows one of the 10 US citizens exchanged between the US government and the Venezuelan government waving a US flag upon arrival at the San Oscar Romero International Airport in San Luis Talpa, El Salvador, on July 18, 2025.
El Salvador's Presidency Press Office via AFP via Getty Images
The remaining freed prisoner was a dual U.S.-Venezuelan citizen, according to the official.
-ABC News' Shannon Kingston
Jul 18, 2025, 10:37 PM EDT
Some ex-CECOT detainees from Venezuela could return to US, official says
The Trump administration says it will facilitate the return of former detainees of an El Salvador prison to the U.S. from Venezuela, if required by a court.
In a status report Friday night, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement official said the regime of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has made assurances it will not stand in the way if a former detainee is required to return to the U.S. The report was submitted hours after the Trump administration announced that more than 250 Venezuelan migrants were being released from the CECOT prison and returned to Venezuela as part of an exchange for American prisoners.
Prison officers stand guard a cell block at maximum security penitentiary Center for the Compulsory Housing of Terrorism, April 4, 2025 in Tecoluca, San Vicente, El Salvador.
Alex Pena/Getty Images
The declaration from the ICE official was filed in a case involving "Cristian", a 20-year-old migrant who was sent to CECOT in violation of a previous settlement agreement.
Referring to the negotiations over the release of the CECOT detainees, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Assistant Acting Director Mellissa Harper said: "As part of these negotiations, the United States obtained assurances from the Maduro regime that (1) If and when US legal proceedings reach a stage where the appearance of one of the 252 Venezuelan nationals formerly housed at CECOT may be called for in legal proceedings or required by a court, (2) If the US is prepared to facilitate the person’s travel to the United States for that purpose, the Maduro regime will not impose obstacles to the individual’s travel."
Despite Venezuela releasing U.S. prisoners in exchange, Harper said the decision to release the Venezuelans was “made solely by the government of El Salvador."
-ABC News' Laura Romero and Armando Garcia
Jul 18, 2025, 2:16 PM EDT
Powell defends Fed renovation plans amid White House criticism
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is defending against attacks from the Trump administration, which alleged he's mismanaged renovation of the Federal Reserve headquarters. Trump has suggested it could be cause to oust the head of the nation's central bank.
Powell sent a letter on Thursday to the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in response to their request for information. Powell wrote that officials at the agency "take seriously the responsibility to be good stewards of public resources."
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell testifies during a U.S. House Oversight and Reform Select Subcommittee hearing on coronavirus crisis, on Capitol Hill in Washington, June 22, 2021.
Graeme Jennings/Pool via Reuters
Powell also argued that they have "taken great care to ensure the project is carefully overseen" since it began in 2017. Powell said that oversight has included budget approval and oversight from board members and oversight from independent inspectors general, including a 2021 independent audit of the project. In responses to the administration's issue of the cost, Powell also laid out how large "in scope" the renovations on the building are, noting that the structure was constructed in the 1930s and that it's the first "comprehensive renovation" of both of the Fed's buildings.
Powell also responded to some of the questions about the project from the Trump administration -- though he was quick to challenge their characterizations of the renovations. For example, OMB Director Russ Vought asked about plans for "private dining rooms" and a "private elevator to the dining suite." Powell responded by saying that there are "no VIP dining rooms" and "no special, private, or VIP elevators."
