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 urges Senate Majority Leader Thune to cancel August recess
Trump urged Senate Majority Leader John Thune to cancel the August congressional recess to allow for the confirmation of his nominees, stating in a social media post Saturday, "We need them badly!"
“Hopefully the very talented John Thune, fresh off our many victories over the past two weeks and, indeed, 6 months, will cancel August recess (and long weekends!), in order to get my incredible nominees confirmed,” Trump wrote.
-ABC News' Kelsey Walsh
Jul 19, 2025, 4:10 PM EDT
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."
