American politician from Kentucky, U.S. Representative
The House Oversight Committee has subpoenaed former Apollo CEO Leon Black to produce nondisclosure agreements and to return for a sworn deposition on July 16 after he declined to answer questions about NDAs during a closed-door interview. Committee chair James Comer says the NDAs may connect Black to Jeffrey Epstein; Black denies wrongdoing.
Buffett has postponed his annual Berkshire Hathaway stock donation to the Gates Foundation while awaiting the outcomes of an external review into past ties between the foundation and Jeffrey Epstein. The Gates Foundation has engaged WilmerHale for the probe, and findings are expected this summer; Buffett’s decision may align with the review’s results and the broader scrutiny surrounding Bill Gates.
Trump marks the 250th anniversary with a Capitol rally and a national mall event, touting achievements while warning of a communist threat. The event faced heat and a weather evacuation, with global leaders sending messages of support and criticism of the administration’s approach to the celebration.
Kathryn Ruemmler has testified before the House Oversight Committee, acknowledging a long relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and saying he used her to legitimize his standing. She has stepped down from Goldman Sachs but remains as senior adviser. Lawmakers are pursuing further depositions and documents as part of a broad probe into Epstein’s network.
The Tate brothers face UK extradition on charges including rape and trafficking. U.S. authorities have arrested them in Miami and Britain has sought extradition; the White House says it will honor treaties and will not intervene. Barron Trump’s alleged ties to the case are under close scrutiny as lawmakers push for more transparency.
Barclays’ former chief Jes Staley has testified before the House Oversight Committee as questions mount over his long-standing ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Regulators had previously banned him for mischaracterizing those ties, and new disclosures are raising questions about how Barclays and JPMorgan Chase handled information on Epstein’s relationship with Staley.
The Senate Homeland Security Committee has voted 8–5 to hold Dr Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress after he invoked the Fifth Amendment repeatedly during a hearing on pandemic decisions and the origins of COVID‑19. Chairman Rand Paul has authorised sending the committees report to the DC US attorney for possible prosecution and has threatened to certify the citation to the Senate president if the chamber is not in session.
U.S. prosecutors argue the Tate brothers should stay jailed during extradition proceedings to the UK, citing flight risk and ongoing UK and Romania charges. Defense seeks release, saying their public profile makes flight unlikely. A Miami detention hearing will determine custody while the extradition process unfolds.
Rep. James Comer has issued a letter requesting internal DEA records on the agency’s practice of monitoring major fentanyl shipments without seizing them. The move follows New Mexico officials’ concerns and whistleblower accounts alleging orders to stand down. The inquiry mirrors a broader debate over risk-mitigation rules and the pace of seizures amid the nation’s fentanyl crisis.
The White House renovations and a lavish new ballroom are advancing under President Trump, with multiple lawsuits challenging the legality of demolitions and the scale of the project. Officials say security upgrades and permanent fencing around Lafayette Square are under consideration as part of a broader overhaul of the capital.
Republicans have held a two-day midterm convention in Dallas dominated by President Trump and Vice-President JD Vance. Trump has promised a $5,000 "Trump dividend" if Republicans retain Congress, defended his war with Iran and urged supporters to "pretend" he is on the ballot. Attendance has been uneven as many vulnerable lawmakers have skipped the event.