Wednesday briefing: Epstein files controversy; Hunter Biden speaks out; obesity study; Emmy nominations; Sycamore Gap; and more
Trump officials made unusual requests for data on voters and voting equipment.
The Trump administration halted work on a new tool to predict extreme rainfall.
The Minnesota suspect confessed to killing a Democratic lawmaker and her husband.
A major study shed new light on the cause of obesity.
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Yahoo
21 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Trump official criticizes Fed chief Powell as Trump takes aim over interest rates
A top Trump administration official accused Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell of leading an "ostentatious" office renovation project that may be "violating the law," a new broadside against the central bank chief as President Trump tangles with him over interest rates. "The President is extremely troubled by your management of the Federal Reserve System," Office of Management and Budget Chair Russell Vought wrote in a July 10 letter. The letter came after months of criticism from Mr. Trump over the Fed's decision not to slash interest rates. Economists say lowering rates may accelerate economic growth, but it also runs the risk of causing inflation to spike. That has led the Fed's interest rate-setting committee — which Powell chairs — to keep rates steady so far this year after cutting rates slightly last year. Mr. Trump has called on Powell to resign from his post, and last month, the president called Powell a "numbskull" over his interest rate decisions and said "maybe" he'll try to fire Powell — though federal law states the Fed chair can only be fired "for cause," which typically refers to firings due to specific misconduct or performance issues. In the past, Mr. Trump had said he doesn't plan on trying to fire Powell, whose term as Fed chair ends next year. Vought's letter took aim at Powell and the central bank over its yearslong office renovation project in Washington, D.C. The letter said plans for the project "called for rooftop terrace gardens, VIP private dining rooms and elevators, water features, premium marble, and much more." Vought also asked whether the Fed has made changes to its plans without seeking approval from a government commission that oversees D.C.-area federal building projects. In testimony to the Senate last month, Powell called some descriptions of the renovation project "misleading and inaccurate." He told lawmakers there isn't any new marble aside from what's necessary to replace broken old marble, and said there are no "special elevators," new water features or rooftop gardens. "All of the sort of inflammatory things that the media carried are either not in the current plan or just inaccurate," Powell said. Vought's letter argued that comment to the Senate "appears to reveal that the project is out of compliance with the approved plan," suggesting the Fed may have run afoul of a law requiring D.C.-area projects be approved by the National Capital Planning Commission. In a post on X, the Office of Management and Budget alleged Powell "slipped up and revealed he violating the law." The Fed's renovation plans were reviewed by the commission several years ago. Powell defended the Fed's handling of the project in a letter Thursday responding to Vought, saying the Fed has "taken great care to ensure the project is carefully overseen." He also said the project has been "subject to budget approval" by board members annually. The Fed chair said the Fed generally isn't subject to the National Capital Planning Commission's approval, but it did work with the agency "voluntarily" in 2020 and 2021. Since then, Powell said, the central bank has only "made a small number of design changes to scale back or eliminate certain elements," so no further review by the commission is needed. The Fed typically operates with a much higher degree of independence than most other government institutions. Federal law gives the Fed the power to make decisions about acquiring and remodeling buildings in Washington to serve as its office spaces. The Fed has previously acknowledged that the price tag for its office renovations had jumped due to "significant increases in raw materials costs," along with higher labor costs. On its website, the Fed says the two headquarters buildings that are getting overhauled "have not been comprehensively renovated since their construction in the 1930s." The central bank said there are no private elevators or new VIP dining rooms — instead, the project will refurbish old elevators and conference rooms, including ones that are sometimes "used for mealtime meetings." It also said plans for new water features were scrapped, though existing fountains will be repaired, and the garden terrace is actually a "ground-level front lawn." On July 2, Bill Pulte, the Trump-nominated head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, accused Powell of "deceptive" testimony to the Senate about the office project. When asked about the allegation in a recent Cabinet meeting, Mr. Trump said: "Then he [Powell] should resign immediately. We should get somebody in it that's going to lower interest rates." Son of man who was violently detained by ICE reacts after release Mike Johnson breaks from Trump, calls on DOJ to release Epstein files 7.3 magnitude earthquake hits southern Alaska Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
21 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Reported birthday card from Trump to Epstein shines new light on their friendship as fallout from files release mounts
Donald Trump reportedly helped celebrate Jeffrey Epstein's 50th birthday with a bawdy greeting accompanied by a hand-drawn image of a naked woman. A report from The Wall Street Journal on Thursday uncovers new details about the relationship between the president and disgraced financier and convicted sex offender, whose death and connections to Trump are at the center of a A letter bearing Trump's name, which was reviewed by The Journal, contains several lines of typewritten text framed by a drawing of a naked woman. His signature is a squiggly 'Donald' below her waist, mimicking pubic hair, according to the report. The letter concludes: 'Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret.' In an interview with The Journal, Trump denied writing the letter or drawing the picture: 'This is not me. This is a fake thing. It's a fake Wall Street Journal story.' Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein pictured in 1992. A new report shed new light on the friendship between the two men (NBC News) 'I never wrote a picture in my life. I don't draw pictures of women,' he told the conservative-leaning newspaper, which is owned by Rupert Murdoch, who has over the years supported Trump. 'It's not my language. It's not my words,' Trump told the newspaper. A typewritten note styled as an imaginary conversation between Trump and Epstein, written in the third person, is reportedly included inside the outline of the naked woman. In the imagined conversation, Trump says 'we have certain things in common, Jeffrey,' to which Epstein replies, 'Yes, we do, come to think of it.' 'Enigmas never age, have you noticed that?' Trump writes, according to The Journal, which had reportedly reviewed pages from a leather-bound album of birthday cards examined by Department of Justice officials who investigated Epstein and his former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell, who was found guilty of child sex trafficking and other offences in 2022. The explosive revelation follows a disastrous week for the Trump administration as the president repeatedly tries to dismiss the so-called Epstein files as a Democratic 'hoax.' Thursday's revelations illustrate a closer than previously reported relationship between the president and Epstein, who was accused of sexually abusing dozens of minors before he was found dead in his jail cell in 2019. A Department of Justice memo on July 6 had effectively closed the case, affirming that no such 'client list' exists despite demands from Trump's supporters and allies for a full accounting of Epstein's death and alleged ties to a wider child trafficking conspiracy implicating powerful figures. On the campaign trail, Trump repeatedly promised to release FBI files related to Epstein, who was found dead in his jail cell on on August 10, 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. But the president's promises fell flat. Attorney General Pam Bondi, on Trump's directive, also promised to release the files, but after months of delays, the memo from the Justice Department and FBI said agencies would not be releasing any more documents relating to the case. Bondi had claimed the files were 'sitting on her desk' in February. She invited right-wing influencers to the White House for a photo-op at the end of that month, where they held up binders containing 'Phase 1' of the Epstein files, largely made up of already publicly available information about the case. Epstein died while in prison facing sex trafficking charges. While conspiracies have swirled about his 'client list,' Trump officials have recently said that no list exists () Bondi continued to stall. In May, she claimed there were 'tens of thousands of videos of Epstein with children or child porn,' which fueled further conspiracy theories that powerful people were being protected, and that 'Phase 1' binders were allegedly buying time. The administration's failure to release any other details about the investigation has been a major blow for Trump's supporters — including those within Trump's own administration. Deputy FBI director Don Bongino, who last year amplified conspiracy theories that Epstein was murdered, almost walked over the memo, according to reports. Trump has spoken out against those questioning him about the release of the Epstein files. (AP) While the White House likely hoped MAGA's fury would blow over quickly, outrage has only intensified. Frustrated, Trump lashed out at his supporters this week and reportedly complained in private that they won't 'shut the f*** up' about the Epstein files. Trump has spent several days publicly calling the Epstein case 'boring' and 'bulls***' as he questioned the loyalty of gullible 'weaklings' who demanded more from his Justice Department. 'Let these weaklings continue forward and do the Democrats work, don't even think about talking of our incredible and unprecedented success, because I don't want their support anymore!' Trump said in a Truth Social fury post. Even the White House has tried to temper the fury. On July 17, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked whether the president would appoint a special prosecutor to oversee the Epstein case. 'The president would not recommend a special prosecutor in the Epstein case,' Leavitt said. 'That's how he feels. And as for his discussions with the attorney general, I'm not sure.' Trump's friendship with Epstein spanned the late 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s, and Trump's phone number — as well as First Lady Melania Trump's — were included in Epstein's infamous leaked address books. Trump's name also appeared seven times in passenger logs for Epstein's planes. The pair reportedly fell out in 2004, when Epstein and Trump both tried to buy a Palm Beach estate. The next year, the FBI began investigating Epstein for child sex trafficking. He pleaded guilty to a state charge of soliciting sex from a minor in 2008. Trump distanced himself from his former friend after Epstein's arrest in 2019, when Trump was president. 'Well, I knew him like everybody in Palm Beach knew him,' Trump said on July 9, 2019, one day after Epstein's arrest. 'I mean, people in Palm Beach knew him. He was a fixture in Palm Beach. I had a falling out with him a long time ago. I don't think I've spoken to him for 15 years. I wasn't a fan.' Asked three days later what contributed to that 'falling out,' Trump said 'the reason doesn't make any difference, frankly.' One month later, Epstein was found dead in his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York City.
Yahoo
21 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Cook County Democrats hold off endorsement decision for county assessor, don't back Board of Review incumbent
Cook County Democrats punted Thursday on endorsing anyone for Cook County assessor, putting two-term incumbent Fritz Kaegi at risk of an open primary fight as he vies for a third term. The lack of an endorsement is the latest twist in the complex relationship between Kaegi and county Democrats. Eight years ago, Kaegi defeated incumbent Assessor and then-Cook County Democratic Party Chairman Joe Berrios in the Democratic primary race for assessor. Kaegi went on to win the 2018 general election and was subsequently endorsed by the party four years ago. But during a closed-door executive session of party higher-ups Thursday at the IBEW Local 134 meeting hall in Bronzeville, Black members of a party committee united to oppose a recommendation that the full county party organization endorse Kaegi when it convenes Friday. Caucus members were split on which of Kaegi's two primary challengers to support. Several other committee members voted 'present' on a Kaegi endorsement recommendation, bringing him short of the threshold needed to win the endorsement of the countywide slating committee. Instead, the full party will vote on that endorsement Friday. The Kaegi drama highlighted the first day of the party's slating sessions. The Democratic Party's endorsement carries less heft than in decades past, but still gives lesser-known candidates a leg up, providing help with petition signing, campaigning, and inclusion on countywide mailers heading into the March 17, 2026 primary. Candidates at slating make a brief presentation and take questions from fellow committee members from the city's wards and suburban townships. During the first session day, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle — who now chairs the party — avoided a direct faceoff with potential challengers 42nd Ward Ald. Brendan Reilly and former state Sen. Rickey 'Hollywood' Hendon. Reilly hasn't formally announced a run against Preckwinkle for County Board president as he is also considering a mayoral run. But Reilly attended the event as the party committeeman for his downtown ward. He planned to appeal to fellow Democrats for an open primary, but told the Tribune he was not allowed to speak during the early morning presentations or during a closed session because he was not a member of the countywide slating committee. Hendon said he was not allowed to present because he did not submit his resume early enough. That left Preckwinkle as the sole candidate and resulted in her winning the committee's endorsement. That decision must also be affirmed Friday. First elected board president in 2010, Preckwinkle, 78, sought to tamp down rumors she planned to end what would be her fifth term early and hand over the reins to a political ally. 'I look forward to being reelected and I will serve the entire term,' she pledged. During a brief presentation, she said she would defend the county's ordinance welcoming immigrants and fight for continued access to health care for county residents despite federal attacks on immigrant issues and health care funding. She won praise from allies such as state Sen. Rob Martwick, who credited Preckwinkle for her work in stabilizing the county's pensions and budget. 'All these issues we care about don't matter if we can't afford to pay for them,' he said. During his pitch to party leaders, Kaegi of Oak Park highlighted his advocacy for creating new incentives for affordable housing construction, his work to automatically renew a program that freezes property values for some seniors, and his 'circuit breaker' legislation designed to help low-income homeowners pay for big hikes in their property tax bills. 'When we work together, we can solve big problems,' he told committee members. 'Let's keep going.' Kaegi's personal wealth and ability to self-fund his candidacy represent a major challenge for his opponents, who are largely political unknowns. Kaegi ended the most recent quarter with $1.3 million in the bank. Since 2017, he has loaned himself roughly $5.4 million, including $750,000 earlier this year, according to the State Board of Elections. Any eventual challenger, however, is likely to attract contributions from the business community and commercial real estate interests, both of which have disagreed with Kaegi's methods in running the office. Two Democratic challengers who work at the Cook County Board of Review — which hears appeals to Kaegi's assessments — are so far trailing behind on fundraising and have yet to rally enough committeemen to win an endorsement, either. Timnetra Burruss, the Board of Review's main administrator, ended the quarter with $51,610 on hand, according to campaign records, $50,000 of which came from state Sen. Napoleon Harris, who represents voter-heavy Thornton Township. Dana Pointer, who serves as an outreach coordinator for Board of Review commissioner and constant Kaegi critic Larry Rogers, received a $50,000 loan from Rogers. Burruss, who previously worked for Rogers, told committee members she entered the race after becoming 'frustrated' by rising assessments that did not mirror market values, plus 'thousands upon thousands of errors and general disregard about impact on property owners.' She said she would support creating a new exemption for historically disinvested communities in federal opportunity zones and make it easier for property owners to sign up for other exemptions. Pointer blasted Kaegi's 'mismanagement and lack of transparency,' which she said contributed to this year's late property tax bills, as well as property assessment adjustments Kaegi's office made following the COVID-19 pandemic. The 'apartment loophole' Kaegi's office closed last year, which hiked assessments for certain business properties, wiped out 'some families' generational wealth,' she added. His 'continued use of propaganda to pit homeowners against business owners needs to stop,' Pointer said. Patrick Hynes, the current Lyons Township assessor, said he had 'fought tenaciously for fairness' in his corner of the suburbs after auditing current records and finding several properties missing from the property tax rolls. The Tribune and the Illinois Answers Project detailed some of those problems last year, finding the assessor's office had missed at least $444 million of assessed property value by misclassifying and undervaluing properties, primarily due to its failure to account for new construction and significant property improvements. 'I restored fairness and I will do the same for Cook County,' Hynes said, pledging to begin capturing more data to better reflect homes' true value. First-term Board of Review Commissioner Samantha Steele also failed to earn the party's endorsement as she runs for a second term. County Democrats opted not to back any candidates in her race for one of the seats on the three-member panel. County Democrats did endorse the other Board of Review commissioner running next year, George Cardenas. Steele, who until recently served on Lake County, Indiana's, property tax appeals board and runs a property valuation consulting business with government clients in Indiana, has been dogged by several controversies in recent months. On Monday, the county's inspector general cited an unnamed Board of Review commissioner for not properly disclosing outside work. The details of the case match Steele, whose annual economic reports did not disclose details about government contracts through her private business, the Leonor Group. Her annual economic interest statements mentioned she owned the firm but not which units of government she worked for, a failing the IG's office said equated to a breach of her fiduciary duty to the county. She's also been fined by the county's ethics board, and she's still fighting a DUI charge from last year. Steele has called the ethics fines 'unfair.' In a statement to the Tribune, she said she was 'singled out' for releasing confidential information about the valuation battle for the Arlington Heights property now owned by the Chicago Bears, arguing it was 'the public's right to know' about information that was already discussed aloud in a public hearing. Steele, who raised just $26,375 last quarter and has only $27,000 on hand in her campaign fund, had publicly considered running against Kaegi for assessor. But last week she dropped out of the race and said she wanted to focus on her board work. One of her opponents, Liz Nicholson, has a background in public relations, fundraising and advising nonprofits. Northfield Township Trustee Vincent Pace, who has worked in real estate investment and finance, also presented to the Democrats seeking the endorsement. Steele gave a brief presentation Thursday, but no committee members asked questions — a troubling sign given that the question period typically features supporters singing the praises of their candidates. No one presented to challenge incumbents Maria Pappas for another term as county treasurer, Monica Gordon for county clerk or Tom Dart for sheriff. All received the committee's recommendations for endorsement. Clad in a pink sweater that read 'All this and brains too,' Pappas highlighted successful efforts to sign up taxpayers for exemptions they were owed and her office's studies of major property tax issues. 'I don't think anybody's running against me, but if they are, I love a good fight,' she said. The party reconvenes Friday morning to hear from statewide candidates, including for U.S. Senate and comptroller, an opening that arose following incumbent Susana Mendoza's announcement that she would not run for reelection. A new name surfaced for the comptroller's post Thursday: State Sen. Karina Villa, a Latina who was born and raised in West Chicago. A former vice president of the local school board who has a master's degree in social work from Aurora University, Villa was elected to the Illinois House in 2018 and to the state Senate two years later. Villa is scheduled to present her credentials for comptroller to slatemakers Friday, along with state Rep. Margaret Croke of Chicago and Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim. Solve the daily Crossword
