Latest news with #StudentActionSummit
USA Today
an hour ago
- Politics
- USA Today
'Going to lose': Steve Bannon, other Trump allies slam admin's handling of Epstein case
Prominent conservatives are sounding political alarms for President Donald Trump, accusing the Justice Department of botching a review and release of files related to Jeffrey Epstein. Many of Trump's allies – and supporters across the country – have called for the government to release additional information on the case of the disgraced financier and convicted sex offender. That includes two topics of widespread online speculation: a so-called "client list" as well as any evidence supporting claims that Epstein, who died while awaiting trial in 2019, did not in fact commit suicide. While New York's chief medical examiner ruled in 2019 that Epstein died by suicide, Trump on the 2024 campaign trail said he would declassify federal files on the man. A new report released last week by the FBI and Department of Justice said officials found no such list or proof that Epstein was murdered in custody. Timeline: Trump's team promised transparency on Epstein. Here's what they actually delivered. The findings quickly prompted pushback among members of Trump's inner circle and voters alike, who alleged the president's administration wasn't living up to its promises of transparency with the American people. "Please understand the EPSTEIN AFFAIR is not going away," Trump's former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn wrote in a post directed to the president. He warned that unanswered questions means that "moving forward on so many other monumental challenges our nation is facing becomes much harder." Well-known MAGA figures have been publicly airing their grievances with Attorney General Pam Bondi for days following the release of the government's memo. She drew particular criticism over an interview with Fox News in February during which she was asked a question about the so-called client list. "It's sitting on my desk right now to review," Bondi said at the time. But in a July 8 Cabinet meeting, Bondi clarified she was referring to the files in totality. The Epstein case fallout reached a fever pitch July 11, with even those inside the administration reportedly perturbed. FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino, the second-highest official at the bureau, did not come into work and was weighing resignation, according to CNN and Semafor. But major Republican voices have also said the management of the case has to go beyond Justice Department officials – reaching the president himself. "It's deeper than Epstein," former White House strategist and podcaster Steve Bannon told a crowd of young conservatives at Turning Point USA's Student Action Summit July 12. He went on to predict real electoral consequences for Republicans in the near future. "For this to go away," Bannon said, "you're going to lose 10 percent of the MAGA movement. If we lose 10 percent of the MAGA movement right now, we're going to lose 40 seats in (2026), we're going to lose the presidency." Another public figure typically in Trump's corner, Megyn Kelly also voiced skepticism about law enforcement's recent review of the Epstein files. "There are really only two options," Kelly, a political commentator who identifies as an independent, wrote on X July 12. "There's no huge undisclosed there there on Epstein, Bondi misled on it (until she didn't) & Trump is quick to forgive a loyal soldier for being desperate to get on TV," she said. Or, "There is a scandal that's being covered up & it's at his direction."
Time of India
an hour ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Megyn Kelly 'exposes' AG Pam Bondi over Epstein Files memo; MAGA crowd goes wild
At Turning Point USA's Student Action Summit, former Fox News host Megyn Kelly blasted Attorney General Pam Bondi over her shifting stance on the Epstein case. Kelly accused Bondi of seeking attention, misleading the public about the so-called 'client list' and Epstein's death, and embarrassing President Trump with her poor handling of the issue. Show more Show less
Fox News
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Roger Stone, Charlie Kirk and more to address Turning Point USA's Student Action Summit
incoming update… Evangelist Daniel Kolenda, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, longtime Trump ally and GOP strategist Roger Stone, Savannah and Todd Chrisley and Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk are among those scheduled to close out the third and final day of Turning Point USA's Student Action Summit in Tampa, Florida, on Sunday. On Saturday, attendees heard from celebrity trainer Jillian Michaels, former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and border czar Tom Homan, among others. Click here for previous Fox News Digital live coverage. Live Coverage begins here
Newsweek
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Kristi Noem Defends Texas Floods Response at TPUSA
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. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem staunchly defended the federal disaster response to historic flash floods in Central Texas, at the Turning Point USA (TPUSA) Student Action Summit this week. With over 120 lives lost and more than 160 people still missing, Noem faced mounting criticism that her department's centralized contracting policy delayed the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)'s on-the-ground aid. Newsweek contacted FEMA for comment via email on Sunday outside of usual working hours. Why It Matters Noem's tenure marks a pivotal shift in U.S. disaster management policy, favoring state-led responses over a centralized FEMA approach. Critics argue that this centralized approval policy, requiring that her office sign off on contracts exceeding $100,000, contributed to a 72-hour delay in some rescue operations, according to reporting by CNN and The Washington Post, which cited unnamed current and former FEMA officials, as reported by Newsweek. Former FEMA insiders reportedly expressed frustration over the additional bureaucracy created by Noem's new approval requirement, saying that frontline rescue teams were stalled until she gave the green light, as reported by New York Magazine. #ResignNoem trended after CNN's story, as groups like Republicans Against Trump demanded she step down for the 72-hour delay, as reported by The Economic Times. On Fox & Friends, Noem laughed off the CNN report, calling it "fake news" and "absolutely trash," claiming that federal assets were deployed promptly and efficiently. The DHS said Noem did not need to initially authorize additional FEMA resources because the department used other DHS search and rescue assets. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem participates in a Round Table event with President Donald Trump at the Hill Country Youth Event Center to discuss last week's flash flooding on July 11, 2025 in Kerrville,... Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem participates in a Round Table event with President Donald Trump at the Hill Country Youth Event Center to discuss last week's flash flooding on July 11, 2025 in Kerrville, Texas. MoreWhat to Know Disaster hit Texas on July 4th when the Guadalupe River overflowed, resulting in deadly flash floods. Noem and the government were widely criticized for what was seen by some as a delayed reaction to the crisis. While acknowledging the devastating impact of the floods, Noem defended her agency's early involvement, highlighting the swift deployment of Coast Guard, Border Patrol, and BORTAC [Border Patrol Tactical Unit]. "I'm also very proud of the fact that I have the super advisory authority over the U.S. Coast Guard," Noem said at TPUSA. "Aren't you proud about what the U.S. Coast Guard just did in Texas to help those individuals? "Texas just went through an incredibly incredible tragedy with the flooding event that happened and is still looking for their loved ones, and for children and have been absolutely devastated," Noem continued, "and the individuals who showed up there from the Coast Guard, from Border Patrol, those individuals from the BORTAC teams, from FEMA that showed up immediately and supported that state in its response to its individuals. " Noem, appearing confident at the TPUSA event, asserted that her department responded immediately to every request and made federal resources available as soon as possible. "I'm so proud of them because for the very first time, we acted in a way that disaster response should, you know," Noem said. "The way statute lays out is that every emergency that happens in this country should be locally executed. That means the people that are closest to that emergency need to be the ones making the decisions to respond to people. It should be state-managed, which means the state makes the decisions on how they're going to universally handle this disaster. "And the federal government, our role should be to support," she added. "We should be there to support. We shouldn't be making the decisions. We should be sending the support that is necessary to get that state through that situation. And that's exactly how we implemented it in Texas and are continuing to do so to support Texas as it gets through this." Several Democrats in Congress have called for an investigation into Noem's handling of the floods, with Representative Jared Moskowitz urging scrutiny over FEMA's slowed response, as reported by Newsweek. Despite this, Noem has doubled down on her stance, reiterating her wider vision to dismantle FEMA as currently structured and replace it with a leaner, state-empowering model, as reported by Reuters. President Donald Trump has pledged to scrap the federal agency in charge of disaster relief and return disaster response to the states. Experts have warned that dismantling the agency completely would leave gaps in crucial services and funding. What People Are Saying Jared Moskowitz, in a letter to the top lawmakers on the House Committee on Homeland Security and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, on Thursday: "As a former Emergency Management Director of Florida, I am alarmed by reports that the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) response to the Texas floods was delayed and hampered by a new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) 'cost-control' policy imposed by Secretary Kristi Noem," "If accurate, this represents a major deviation from long-standing FEMA protocol that may have slowed down lifesaving efforts and contributed to the tragedy's severity." What Happens Next Debate is intensifying in Washington over the future of federal disaster response. Supporters view Noem's reforms as a necessary step toward more agile, local empowerment. Critics, however, warn the changes risk undermining a federal safety net at a time when climate-driven catastrophes are becoming more common. Further congressional hearings and investigations appear likely, particularly as lawmakers question whether structural reforms should override FEMA's established crisis-response authority. As recovery efforts continue in Texas, all eyes will be on whether emergency response can be both swift and state-controlled, or if the traditional federal apparatus must remain intact.
New York Post
13 hours ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Border czar Tom Homan delivers stern warning to anti-ICE protesters: 'You want some? Come get some'
Trump administration border czar Tom Homan fired up the crowd at Turning Point USA's Student Action Summit Saturday night when a heckler asked Homan, 'Are you an MS-13 member?' But the heckler's comments added fuel to Homan's fire as he delivered fiery closing remarks, saying, 'Tom Homan is going to run the biggest deportation operation this country has ever seen. Take it to the bank.' 'U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A,' the crowd chanted as Homan exited the stage. About five minutes into Homan's speech, he was interrupted by a heckler who was escorted out by security, lighting a fire for the rest of the speech. Homan had a message to the anti-ICE protesters across the United States, including to those who gathered outside the summit in Tampa, Florida, Saturday night. 'You want some? Come get some,' Homan said. 'I'm tired of it. For the men and women of ICE, I deserve your respect. They're the finest 1% this country has. And Tom Homan isn't going anywhere. Tom Homan isn't shutting up.' When the heckler asked Homan if he was an MS-13 member, referencing the Salvadoran transnational criminal gang that has been targeted through Trump's deportation rollout, Homan said federal immigration officers are dealing with these types of detractors on a daily basis. 4 White House border czar Tom Homan blasted anti-ICE protesters during a speech at a Turning Point USA event. AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson 'This guy wouldn't know what it's like to serve this nation. This guy ain't got the balls to be an ICE officer. He hasn't got the balls to be a border patrol agent,' Homan continued, as the crowd cheered him on. As the heckler was escorted out, Homan added, 'This guy lives in his mother's basement. The only thing that surprised me is [he] doesn't have purple hair and a nose ring. Get out of here, you loser.' While the crowd continued cheering Homan's fiery speech, he assured that those protesting US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would not intimidate agents because 'we're going to do the job that President Trump gave us to do.' 4 An anti-ICE protester holding a sign that reads 'ICE kills farmers' at Oxnard city hall in Oxnard, Calif. on July 11, 2025. Brian Cahn/ZUMA Press Wire 4 National Guard soldiers blocking a protest during a ICE immigration raid at a farm near Camarillo, Calif. on July 10, 2025. Photo byHoman said he has never seen 'such hate against the men and women of ICE and in the Border Patrol,' and those protesting don't have the courage to put on a badge and stand in their place. While Homan said he was disappointed he didn't see any protesters when he arrived at the summit, protesters had lined the streets outside Saturday afternoon, rejecting Trump's agenda and his crackdown on illegal immigration. The demonstrations on Saturday followed protests that deteriorated into riots in Los Angeles last month as rhetoric against ICE agents has reached a boiling point. 4 A woman holding a sign at an anti-ICE protest outside of 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan on July 10, 2025. Gina M Randazzo/ZUMA Press Wire Federal immigration law enforcement officers have been targeted since Trump signed his 'big, beautiful bill,' which includes legislation for robust immigration reform, into law last Friday. There have been at least two ambushes in Texas, and protesters clashed with federal officers at the Portland, Oregon, ICE center. The brazen border czar had made it clear his speech might contain some profanity Saturday night, telling the crowd at the top of his remarks, 'Sometimes, I'm harsh. But if I offend anybody here tonight, I don't give a s—t.' Homan also applauded Trump's crackdown on illegal immigration, telling the crowd, 'Under his leadership, we got the most secure border in the history of nation, and we did that in seven weeks. President Trump did in seven weeks what Joe Biden couldn't or wouldn't do in four years.' Fox News Digital's Emma Colton contributed to this report.
