
New Pirro committee vote set for Thurs
The House Rules Committee came to a standstill Monday night as GOP leaders struggled to contain rank-and-file Republicans and their Democratic allies clamoring for a floor vote to compel the publication of materials related to the late disgraced financier and convicted sex offender.
Committee Democrats had planned to force a vote that evening on legislation that would call for the release of the materials, as the panel worked to tee up floor consideration on a slate of unrelated bills. It was poised to be a repeat of what transpired last Thursday inside Rules, which gummed up the works for several hours.
But rather than this time work through the Democratic disruption, Republicans chose instead Monday to recess the rest of the Rules meeting altogether, with House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) saying it was 'unlikely' that the panel would reconvene this week at all. Later, lawmakers said there were no plans to return at all.
That means House members will depart for August recess at the week's end without being able to vote on legislation that would not otherwise be able to pass on the chamber floor with a simple majority vote, including an immigration-related bill that would increase penalties for individuals who enter the country illegally and a water-permitting measure.
The House will still vote on measures that can be taken up under an expedited procedure typically reserved for noncontroversial legislation that can pass with a two-thirds majority of those present and voting, such as a bill that would establish new ZIP Codes for certain communities and deter China in the ongoing Taiwan conflict.
'See you in September,' said Rules Committee ranking member Jim McGovern (D-Mass.). He was spearheading the effort to call up a vote on the legislation from Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.). The two men are working to force a floor vote on that bill through a procedural maneuver known as a discharge petition, which allows members to put a bill on the floor without leadership approval if the effort gets 218 signatures.
Scalise blamed Democrats for the meltdown.
'At the end of the day, look, Democrats are yelling and screaming,' he said in an interview. 'They spent four years covering up for Epstein, and you know, at least President Trump's in the courts right now trying to get documents released, and I really think you're gonna see, hopefully, a lot unsealed from that and then we've got some other options.'
Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), a member of the Rules Committee, also accused Democrats of 'grandstanding' and said Republicans refused to give the minority party 'an endless microphone.'
McGovern, in a statement, accused Republicans of making their own mess.
'Democrats on the Rules Committee gave Republicans a choice — either vote to release the Epstein Files, or keep them a secret. Republicans are so afraid of taking that vote that they are torching their own agenda instead of doing something they promised the voters they would do,' he said. 'Trump and his top allies have been pushing this for years — and people aren't going to forget about it in a month.'
Massie, speaking to reporters Monday night, was unrepentant. He'd just been seeing walking onto the House floor with a binder labeled 'The Epstein Files: Phase 2,' and the bill number of his resolution with Khanna.
'Their Epstein bill resolution is non-binding so it's kind of fake. The resolution I have with Khanna would be binding on the President,' Massie said, explaining the breakdown between Republican leaders and other members of the House. Rules leadership last week teed up compromise legislation that would simply support the release of Epstein materials, which opponents called two week and which Speaker Mike Johnson has since said he won't bring to the floor, anyway.
Scalise reiterated that decision, saying in a brief interview, 'the Trump administration's petitioned the courts to release some of the sealed documents. Hopefully, the court acts swiftly. It'd be important if they got that out.'
Trump last week instructed Attorney General Pam Bondi to begin the process of unsealing grand jury testimony in Epstein's criminal case. It followed publication of a Wall Street Journal report alleging Trump sent Epstein a racy birthday letter several decades ago, though Trump has said the letter is fake and is now seeking billions in a defamation lawsuit against the paper.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


NBC News
6 minutes ago
- NBC News
As Texas plows ahead with new maps, governors grapple with the prospect of mid-decade redistricting
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — As Texas Republicans plow ahead with a plan to redraw congressional maps ahead of schedule, many governors are increasingly grappling with an issue that they didn't think they'd have to confront until the end of the decade. Texas' unscheduled redistricting effort — which Republicans hope could help protect their narrow House majority during next year's midterm elections — has had a ripple effect, with governors across the country floating the possibility of following suit to either add to or counter or the plan, depending on their party affiliation. At the summer meeting of the bipartisan National Governors Association in Colorado Springs, Democrats largely condemned the efforts in Texas while cheering on efforts by members of their own party in other states. 'It's deplorable,' New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, said in an interview on the sidelines of the summit, referring to Texas Republicans' attempt. When it came to threats by Democratic Govs. Gavin Newsom of California and Kathy Hochul of New York to forge ahead with plans to redraw congressional lines in their states, Murphy added, 'I don't think we have a choice.' 'If they're going to play these games, we're going to have to be just as aggressive,' Murphy said, adding that 'we can't bring a knife to a gunfight.' Asked if he'd condone a redistricting effort in New Jersey, Murphy said 'all options are on the table in New Jersey,' though he acknowledged that there were major obstacles to doing so. 'I fear there are significant constitutional constraints here in our own [state] constitution,' he said. In New Jersey, like in many other states, an independent commission oversees redistricting. 'But we are looking at all options — and we have to, as Democrats. If this is the way the other guys are going to go, we have to respond forcefully,' Murphy said. 'We have no choice.' Hawaii's Democratic Gov. Josh Green called the actions by Texas Republicans 'really sinister,' 'unconscionable' and 'completely unethical,' and called on his fellow Democratic governors to 'fight fire with fire.' 'It's an obvious attempt to steal elections,' Green said, though he also said that 'the Democratic Party can't stand by and watch it happen.' 'It's very unfortunate, because two wrongs don't make a right. But we can't allow one party to break the rules and then consistently in the future break more rules,' he added. 'It's turning into a knife fight,' Green said. Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott kicked off a special legislative session on Monday, with congressional redistricting one of the topics on lawmakers' to-do list. The New York Times reported last month that members of Trump's political operation had privately urged Texas Republicans to redraw their maps ahead of the 2026 midterms. And Trump himself has publicly praised the efforts, urging Texas lawmakers to take actions that would help the GOP gain five House seats. Republicans currently control 25 of Texas' 38 congressional districts. The redistricting process typically occurs at the start of each new decade, when new census data is available. Texas' current maps were drawn in 2021, following the 2020 census, though they are still being fought over in court. The Republican effort in Texas has prompted some Democrats to fight back by threatening their own mid-decade redistricting schemes. Most prominently, Newsom, a potential 2028 presidential contender, has raised the idea of redrawing California's maps. But that effort would come with major obstacles: An independent commission controls the redistricting process in California, not the governor. On Thursday, Hochul entered the fray as well, responding to a question about redistricting in New York by saying: 'All's fair in love and war,' according to Politico. While not promising action, she added that she'd 'look at it closely with' House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y. Elsewhere, Illinois' Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker responded to a question about whether his state should pursue redistricting to counterbalance Texas' push by accusing Republicans of trying to 'cheat' ahead of the midterms. And a spokesman for Maryland's Democratic Gov. Wes Moore told The New York Times this week he will 'continue to evaluate all options.' On the other side of the aisle, just days after the state Supreme Court upheld the state's newest congressional map, Florida's Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis said that 'there may be more defects that need to be remedied.' He added that population shifts in the state since the census has led him to believe the state is 'malapportioned' and that it 'would be appropriate to do a redistricting here in the mid-decade.' And in Ohio, state lawmakers are required to draw new congressional maps before 2026 because their current lines passed without bipartisan support. Republicans control 10 of Ohio's 15 House seats. Other Democratic leaders at the NGA did not urge their party's fellow governors to move forward with their own redistricting plans. 'I would really call upon Texas Republicans to not yield to the temptation and to stick with the map that they themselves drew that benefits Republicans in the Texas delegation and continue with that until the normal redistricting period occurs at the end of the decade,' Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said in an interview. In Colorado, like in California, redistricting efforts are overseen by an independent commission. Meanwhile, some Republicans at the NGA expressed displeasure with the redistricting threats from both parties. 'I'll be perfectly honest. I only think about it once every 10 years,' Utah GOP Gov. Spencer Cox said in an interview. 'Obviously, there's concerns about gerrymandering, and both sides are doing it — you know, nobody has clean hands.' 'I don't love it. I wish there was a better way. I wish there was a nonpartisan way. Lots of states have tried,' Cox added. Former Colorado Gov. Bill Owens, a Republican, said he'd refuse to condemn Texas' efforts, even though he himself helped Colorado advance its own independent redistricting commission. 'So long as so many Democratic states still redistrict the old-fashioned way, so will Republican states. So I have no criticism for Texas, given that they're working within the same rules that have governed so many states — Democrats and Republicans — in the past,' Owens said. He added that his own approach, if he were still governor, 'would be to try to do redistricting in a bipartisan fashion.'


Forbes
6 minutes ago
- Forbes
Trump Golfs In Scotland Amid Protests And Epstein Files Backlash
Protesters across Scotland demonstrated against President Donald Trump's visit after he arrived Friday and started with a round of golf at the Trump Turnberry course—the first of a few stops he plans to make in the country amid continued backlash linked to his handling and dismissal of the Epstein files. President Donald Trump waves to reporters as he plays golf at the Trump Turnberry golf course in ... More Turnberry, Scotland, Saturday, July 26, 2025.(AP Photo/Alastair Grant) Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved Trump hit the links at the Trump Turnberry course near the start of his visit and will later celebrate the opening of a new golf course at Trump International Golf Links Aberdeen. The president also plans to hold tariff talks with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during the brief visit. Trump's visit has been met with protests from some Scots who demonstrated in Aberdeen and outside the office of the Consulate General of the United States in Edinburgh, with signs blasting the president for his 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, his support of Israel and his handling of the Epstein files. When asked about the Epstein files after landing in Scotland, Trump told reporters, 'I'm not focused on conspiracy theories that you are.' Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts : We're launching text message alerts so you'll always know the biggest stories shaping the day's headlines. Text 'Alerts' to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here . Trump protesters gather at Union Terrace in Aberdeen, Scotland. Photo by JeffA demonstrator holds a photo of Trump and Epstein captioned "Best Pals Forever." Photo by JeffA protester hold a large sign satirizing Trump. Photo by JeffPeople take part in a Stop Trump protest outside the US Consulate in Edinburgh. Photo by Jane Barlow/PA Images via Getty Images Demonstrators protest in Aberdeen's Union Terrace. Photo by JeffA protestor holds a sign outside the Consulate General of the United States. Getty Images A sign featuring a photo with Trump's face captioned "RESIST." Photo byTrump has been pressed by critics and supporters alike in recent weeks over his administration's approach to the Epstein files—documents related to investigations into the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his associates. The administration has specifically been scrutinized for not releasing the full tranche of documents and its conflicting messages around their existence. Attorney General Pam Bondi told Fox News in February that Epstein's client list was 'sitting on her desk right now,' but the Justice Department later issued a report claiming there is no evidence such a list exists. Trump has received further backlash after the Wall Street Journal reported, citing senior officials, that Trump was informed his name is in the Epstein files (which the White House called a 'fake news story') and another article from the Journal citing documents that alleged a sexually suggestive birthday card written by Trump was sent to Epstein for the disgraced financier's 50th birthday. Trump has denied writing the birthday card and sued the Journal over the story. Trump has downplayed the files and blasted 'past supporters' for demanding their release. His administration has pushed for the release of grand jury testimony linked to Epstein's indictment, though a judge recently denied the request, which may never clear a number of legal hurdles needed to get the jury documents published. Critics have also pointed out the documents mainly focus on Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, not the network of people potentially linked to them. Further Reading Trump Deflects: Promises 'List' Of 'Hedge Fund Guys' Who 'Lived With Jeffrey Epstein' (Forbes) Why Trump's Epstein Case Against Wall Street Journal Could Backfire On Him (Forbes)


Newsweek
36 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Alina Habba Defies Judges' Ouster: 'Broken'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Alina Habba, former personal defense lawyer to President Donald Trump, is pushing back forcefully against efforts to remove her from her post as U.S. Attorney for New Jersey—vowing to fight what she describes as a politically motivated campaign to oust her. "To put it in really simple terms, it's a complicated mechanism—what's happening—and it's, frankly, I think, a broken one," she said during an interview with political commentator Benny Johnson. Why It Matters It comes after a panel of federal judges in New Jersey declined to extend Habba's term as the state's interim top prosecutor. Trump tapped Habba to serve as interim U.S. attorney in late March and nominated her on July 1 to be the U.S. attorney in a permanent capacity, which would have removed her interim status by the end of this week. But a DOJ spokesperson told The New York Times on Thursday that the president has withdrawn her nomination, which will allow her to continue serving in a temporary capacity. Alina Habba speaks before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Allentown, Pa., Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024. Alina Habba speaks before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Allentown, Pa., Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2024. Matt Rourke/AP What To Know During the interview, Habba said the Senate's blue slip courtesy—a nonbinding tradition—is being used to block presidential appointments of U.S. attorneys, which she says effectively amounts to stalling or undermining the president's authority. The blue slip tradition is a Senate custom that gives home-state senators significant influence over federal judicial and U.S. attorney nominations in their state. It allows a senator to approve or block a nominee by returning or withholding a blue-colored form, known as the "blue slip," to the Senate Judiciary Committee. In Habba's case, both of New Jersey's Democratic senators, Cory Booker and Andy Kim, withheld their blue slips, signaling formal opposition and preventing her nomination from moving forward through the Senate Judiciary Committee. Booker and Kim allege that she has pursued politically motivated prosecutions against Democratic lawmakers to serve Trump's agenda. During Habba's tenure as interim U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, Mayor Ras Baraka of Newark was charged with trespassing following a congressional visit to an immigration detention facility. The case was dropped days later, and a federal judge condemned the arrest as a "worrisome misstep," warning it should not be used as a political tool. Meanwhile, Representative LaMonica McIver was charged with assaulting federal agents during the same protest. McIver and critics called the prosecution politically motivated, especially given her congressional oversight role. Legal experts observed the case appeared "spectacularly inappropriate," claiming Habba bypassed required DOJ supervisory approval for charges against elected officials. Habba also launched investigations into Democratic Governor Phil Murphy and Attorney General Matt Platkin, focused on New Jersey's decision to limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement—a move viewed by critics as aligned with Trump's political priorities. But Habba said the decision to remove her from her post was an attempt to thwart President Trump's powers. "What we're seeing is a systemic problem, where they are using the blue slip courtesy—it's not a law—as a mechanism to block the appointment of U.S. attorneys by the president, per the Department of Justice," Habba said. "That puts those U.S. attorneys in a position where they're kind of stuck. You're in this freeze, and you can't get out. Then they'll run the clock on you, and basically, what ends up happening is they're attempting to thwart the president's powers. "What we saw in my situation, the Senate minority leader sent direct instructions on Twitter telling the judges to vote and block me. Once it's out of Senate ownership, the judges can vote to keep you. I stepped down as interim and am now the acting attorney.. You have 120 days in the interim, I stepped down the day before." Trump has the power to remove U.S. attorneys who have been appointed by judges. A panel of federal judges in New Jersey ruled on Tuesday to replace Habba with her handpicked top deputy in the U.S. attorney's office, Desiree Leigh Grace, after her 120 day term was up. Soon after the court's decision, the Justice Department, led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, fired Grace and accused the judges of political bias meant to curb the president's authority. In response, Trump's team withdrew Habba's nomination for the permanent role—allowing her to resign as interim U.S. Attorney, then be appointed First Assistant U.S. Attorney, and automatically ascend to the role of acting U.S. Attorney under relevant vacancy laws, extending her tenure for another 210 days. What People Are Saying Harrison Fields, a White House spokesperson, previously told Newsweek in a statement: "President Trump has full confidence in Alina Habba, whose work as acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey has made the Garden State and the nation safer. The Trump Administration looks forward to her final confirmation in the U.S. Senate and will work tirelessly to ensure the people of New Jersey are well represented." What Happens Next Habba will remain in her role as interim U.S. attorney in New Jersey for at least the next 210 days.