Today in Politics, Bulletin 181. 7/29/25

… On AF1 today coming back from Scotland, Trump was asked to provide additional details on his latest claim that his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein ended because he stole some of his employees: “People were taken out of the spa, hired by Epstein. I told him we don’t want you taking our people, whether it’s spa or not spa. He did it again, so I said you’re out of here.”

… Q - Was one of the stolen people Virginia Giuffre? Trump: “I think so. He stole her.”

… Sundae Devine responded on X: “Trump has never previously acknowledged any personal connection between himself, his properties, and Virginia Giuffre. Now he says Giuffre was working at his spa and was recruited from his property, which aligns with Giuffre’s claims, but contradicts Trump’s earlier denials of involvement.”

… The official White House social media account promoted Trump’s ribbon cutting ceremony to open his new golf course in Scotland today. Stephen Miller posted a photo of the plaque near the first tee commemorating the opening of the course. Naturally, it was a tribute to Trump.

… The lone Democratic regular on Fox, the amazing Jessica Tarlov, received the nation’s highest current peacetime honor today - this post on Truth Social from Trump: “I can’t stand Jessica Tarlov of THE FIVE. A real loser! DJT.”

… Trump was also asked on the way home about criticism that he was using the day in Scotland at taxpayer expense to promote his private business: "I haven't heard that. Did you get to see my drive on the first hole? Pretty long. That's not Joe Biden."

… He then said he was giving Vladimir Putin “10 days from today” to agree to a ceasefire with Ukraine or he was imposing additional sanctions. I will be counting down.

… NYT reported that federal criminal proceedings across NJ were canceled over questions regarding the authority of acting US attorney Alina Habba. Court hearings, grand jury proceedings, plea deals, and other hearings were all put on hold amid a challenge to Habba's authority to serve. A drug trial that was set to begin in Camden, NJ on Aug. 4 was moved to PA after a lawyer for one of the defendants filed a motion last week claiming Habba's appointment was unconstitutional.

… Maria Noto, former president of Assn of NJ Criminal Defense Lawyers: “I've never seen anything like this. It seems as if anyone who had anything scheduled has heard that whatever proceeding they had had been adjourned with no new date for now."

… A copy of a new email sent to First Asst US Attorney Leigh Grace from Trump’s special assistant claims that the district court judges lacked the legal authority to appoint her as interim NJ US Attorney “because Alina Habba resigned before your appointment. Regardless, even if the district court had such authority, the president hereby removes you from office. Alina Habba is the acting US Attorney.”

… Politico: “A defense attorney is trying to get charges against his client thrown out by arguing the Trump admin illegally maneuvered to keep Alina Habba as the state’s top fed prosecutor, despite the expiration of her 120-day tenure. The defense filing comes after days of confusion over who is leading the office because of complex and contested rules over filling vacancies.”

… Thomas Mirigliano said his client is “facing an imminent criminal trial proceeding under questionable legal authority” and asked for the charges to be thrown out or that Habba and her assistants be barred from exercising further prosecutorial powers in the case. The problems for the US Attorney’s Office could grow if other defense attorneys open a floodgate of similar motions.

… “Even if Habba eventually prevailed against legal challenges to her authority as acting US attorney, there could be months of uncertainty over whether the office’s criminal cases - some 1,500 a year - could be thrown out or otherwise undermined. Mirigliano argued that Desiree Grace - a career prosecutor whom NJ judges picked to replace Habba - is the rightful interim US Attorney.”

… CBS: “Two top DOJ anti-trust officials have been ousted. Both were deputies to Asst AG Gail Slater, who leads the team that fights monopolies at the DOJ. Roger Alford was principal Dep Asst AG. Bill Rinner served as Dep Asst AG and head of merger enforcement. The pair were placed on administrative leave last week and fired on Monday for insubordination.”

… AG Pam Bondi has launched an all-out attack against Judge James Boasberg after Trump has repeatedly called for him to be impeached because of his rulings on migrants being deported have some due process rights: “Today at my direction, DOJ filed a misconduct complaint against US District Court Chief Judge James Boasberg for making improper public comments about President Trump and his Admin. These comments have undermined the integrity of the judiciary, and we will not stand for that.”

… The New Republic: “While Bondi has yet to actually specify what ‘improper public comments’ Boasberg made to elicit such an attack, both her chief of staff and the right-wing Federalist have reported that this huge, inappropriate mistake Boasberg made was simply expressing his (valid!) concern that the Trump admin was liable to ‘disregard rulings of federal courts leading to a constitutional crisis,’ while at a judicial conference. So Trump and Bondi are trying to sanction Boasberg for sharing his expert opinion, one of the primary functions of a federal judge.”

… WaPo reported the Trump’s Director of the Office of Personnel Management Scott Kupor send out new guidance to employees encouraging them to talk about religion in the workplace: “Employees may engage in conversations regarding religious topics with fellow employees, including attempting to persuade others of the correctness of their own religious views, provided that such efforts are not harassing in nature. Employees may also encourage their co-workers to participate in religious expressions of faith, such as prayer, to the same extent that they would be permitted to encourage co-workers participate in other personal activities.”

… Stefanie Camfield, director of human resources at Engage PEO: “This presents a substantial shift in that it encourages employees to express their religious beliefs in the workplace. The more religion is allowed into the workplace, the more likely it is that differences of opinion are raised. In the current political environment, these types of differences have a way of turning into arguments. In some cases, it leads to outright hostility, which makes it more likely that an employee will feel singled out and discriminated against for their beliefs.”

… Politico: “The EU has admitted it doesn’t have the power to deliver on a promise to invest $600 billion in the US economy, only hours after making the pledge at landmark trade talks in Scotland. That’s because the cash would come entirely from private sector investment over which Brussels has no authority. EU President Ursula von der Leyen struck a deal with Trump to invest $600 billion of EU money into the US over the coming years. But officials clarified that money would come exclusively from private European companies, with public investment contributing nothing.”

… One senior EU official: “It is not something that the EU as a public authority can guarantee. It is something which is based on the intentions of the private companies.” The Commission has not said it will introduce any incentives to ensure the private sector meets that $600 billion target, nor given a precise timeframe for the investment.”

… Axios: “Trump's ‘announce first, details later’ approach to trade deals has caught some global leaders off guard and led to contradictions about the billions of dollars the administration says foreign nations have pledged. These are not traditional, word-heavy trade deals with text agreed to by all negotiators. Instead, news of deals comes via flashy announcements with big numbers and little specificity, leaving global investors wondering about the durability of such frameworks.”

… Evercore ISI's Sarah Bianchi: “With several of the latest deals, the two parties seemed to offer divergent understandings of the details almost as soon as the agreement was announced. All this means there is still much to be worked out in the months ahead and creates risks over the medium-term that misunderstandings could still emerge that jeopardize the tentative trade truces."

… Trump continues to insist that he will not make the first call to President Xi over his trade war: “The Fake News is reporting that I am SEEKING a ‘Summit’ with President Xi of China. This is not correct, I am not SEEKING anything! I may go to China, but it would only be at the invitation of President Xi, which has been extended. Otherwise, no interest! Thank you for your attention to this matter.”

… DHS Secretary Kristi Noem was in Argentina for the past few days and Chile today at taxpayer expense. She is also traveling with her “special friend” and DHS employee Corey Lewandowski as usual, with Noem’s husband nowhere to be found again. Noem posted a video of herself riding a horse in Argentina that was professionally shot with a film crew in a vehicle riding alongside. DHS also posted a video of Noem riding horses and having a great time.

… Speaking of horses, horse’s ass Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) just suffered a broken rib after being kicked by one on his farm. Don’t worry, the horse wasn’t injured.

Reminder there is no Bulletin tomorrow since I do my podcast Uncovered live at 4 ET and then Ask the Editor with Ben. We choose 5 of your questions for me to answer on that show and have gotten great ones every week so far. Please submit your questions in the replies to this Bulletin.

If you missed yesterday’s Bulletin, which was quite long and wore me out, you can find it here.

…. JD Vance will be vacationing in the Cotwolds in the UK at taxpayer expense with his family next month. Guardian: “JD Vance, will be holidaying in the Cotswolds with his family next month, and protesters are determined to let him know just how warm the welcome will not be in England’s chocolate box countryside. It will not be a new experience for the veep. Vance’s wife, Usha, and their children had to abandon a ski holiday in VT in March after they were met with crowds of protesters with signs reading ‘Go ski in Russia’. The Vances were also jeered at Disneyland in CA after part of the park was closed off for their sole use.”

… Statement from UK’s Stop Trump Coalition: “JD Vance is every bit as unwelcome in the UK as Donald Trump. We are sure that, even in the Cotswolds, he will find the resistance waiting.”

… In their next episode on Aug 6, South Park is going to lampoon right-wing podcaster Charlie Kirk. The episode will feature Eric Cartman acting as a character