Trump admin updates: Trump wants Senate to cancel August recess to work on nominees

Trump also suggested the Senate cancel long weekends.

Last Updated: July 20, 2025, 5:25 PM EDT

President Donald Trump continues to face backlash from his MAGA supporters over his administration's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, calling on Attorney General Pam Bondi "to produce any and all pertinent Grand Jury testimony, subject to Court approval" related to the case.

On Friday, Trump signed the GENIUS Act -- the first major federal cryptocurrency bill -- into law.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing.
Jul 16, 2025, 4:42 PM EDT

Mike Flynn pushes back against Trump on Epstein 'hoax' claims

One of President Donald Trump's staunchest supporters pushed back against the president over his claims that the Epstein controversy was a "hoax."

Michael Flynn wrote a lengthy post on X imploring the president to be more transparent and reveal more details.

PHOTO: President-elect Donald Trump stands with Trump National Security Adviser Lt. General Michael  Flynn at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Fla., where he is holding meetings, Dec. 21, 2016.
President-elect Donald Trump stands with Trump National Security Adviser Lt. General Michael Flynn at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Fla., where he is holding meetings, Dec. 21, 2016.
Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

"All we want at this stage is for a modicum of trust to be reestablished between our federal government and the people it is designed to serve," Flynn wrote.

"With my strongest recommendation, please gather your team and figure out a way to move past this. The roll out of this was terrible, no way around that. Americans want America to be successful, therefore, WE NEED YOU TO BE SUCCESSFUL," he added.

-ABC News' Will Steakin

Jul 16, 2025, 4:19 PM EDT

Trump says he still has confidence in Bondi, Patel

When asked by reporters whether he still has confidence in Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel, President Donald Trump responded that he has "total" confidence in them.

But when asked about the possibility of appointing a special counsel to investigate the Epstein case, Trump said that he has "nothing to do with it."

President Donald Trump speaks during a ceremony to sign the "Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act," in the East Room of the White House, July 16, 2025.
Evan Vucci/AP

ABC News' Kelsey Walsh

Jul 16, 2025, 4:18 PM EDT

Trump signs Halt Fentanyl Act

President Donald Trump signed the HALT Fentanyl Act, which aims to combat the fentanyl crisis into law, during an event in the East Room of the White House. Trump was accompanied by various lawmakers and family members who have lost loved ones to the epidemic.

"Today, we strike a righteous road to the drug dealers, narcotic traffickers and criminal cartels that we've all been hearing so much about for so many years. And very little has been done," Trump opened.

President Donald Trump holds up the "Halt All Lethal Trafficking of Fentanyl Act," which strengthens prison sentences for fentanyl traffickers, after signing it in the East Room of the White House, July 16, 2025.
Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

"We take a historic step toward justice for every family touched by the fentanyl scourge, as we signed the Halt Fentanyl Act into law," he continued. "With this bill, we are officially and permanently classifying all fentanyl related substances as Schedule One narcotics, which is actually a very big deal."

ABC News' Kelsey Walsh

Jul 16, 2025, 12:35 PM EDT

Trump on Bondi and Epstein: 'What more can she do?'

President Donald Trump came to Attorney General Pam Bondi's defense on the Jeffrey Epstein files on Wednesday.

Trump was asked if he's asked Bondi to release more documents to put the controversy to bed. Trump again said she should release what's "credible" on Epstein.

"What more can she do than that? Honestly, what more can she do?" Trump said.

Donald Trump meets with Bahraini Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa (L) in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on July 16, 2025.
Andrew Caballero-reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

He then tried to shift focus, saying Epstein "is dead, he's gone" and argued there are more important things to focus on.

Related Topics

Sponsored Content by Taboola