The Senate on Saturday considered some of President Donald Trump's nominations before the August recess.
Earlier this week, Trump issued an executive order slapping tariffs on many of America's trading partners but the new duties are set to go into effect in seven days.
Trump also continues to face questions over his administration's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files and his relationship with the accused sex trafficker.
Trump says he could be using new Air Force One as soon as February
President Trump was asked on Tuesday when he expected to be flying on the "new Air Force One" as a luxury jet gifted from Qatar is being retrofitted for the president's use.
"They say February, maybe. Much sooner than the others. The others are being built," Trump responded. Asked how much it will cost to retrofit the plane, Trump said he didn't know and that was up to the military.
ABC News reported on Monday that the administration has accepted the "unconditional donation" of the jet with no stipulation on what should happen to the aircraft after President Trump leaves office. The cost of refurbishing the plane is classified, although lawmakers have speculated that it could cost as much as $1 billion.
Jul 29, 2025, 12:46 PM EDT
Schumer wants FBI to assess risks of adversary getting Epstein files
Minority Leader Chuck Schumer Tuesday called on the FBI to conduct a counterintelligence threat assessment on the risks posed by potential foreign access to the Epstein files.
"Whatever may be in the Epstein files is clearly troubling enough that Donald Trump doesn't want to touch this issue with a 10 foot pole so it is natural to ask what happens if America's adversaries use cyberattack or other means to access investigative material into Jeffrey Epstein that are embarrassing or worse for the president and or the people around him," Schumer said in floor remarks.
Senate Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer gives a statement after a policy luncheon with Democratic senators at the Capitol, July 15, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
Schumer said he's asking the FBI to assess whether foreign intelligence agencies could gain access to the Epstein files via "cyberintrusion," and to "identify any vulnerabilities that could be exploited foreign intelligence agencies with access to non-public information in the Epstein files, including being able to gain leverage over Donald Trump, his family or other senior government officials." He's also asking the FBI to show it’s developing strategies to counter any threat.
He pointed to hacks that occurred last week at the departments of Health and Human Services and Homeland Security as cause for concern.
"Hacks like this could very well be an attempt to exploit federal systems to get access to Epstein files and potentially use it to influence those named in the files. Whatever is in the Epstein files is concerning enough that Donald Trump is running scared. If that is, in fact, the case, our adversaries could certainly be interested in trying to use this information to hurt America and Americans. We must ensure that that can never happen and that the FBI must immediately conduct a risk assessment, so we're not caught flat footed if our adversaries have already seen these files," Schumer said.
-ABC News’ Allison Pecorin
Jul 29, 2025, 12:14 PM EDT
Most Americans support releasing Epstein files, poll finds
A poll from the Washington Post published on Tuesday found that a majority of Americans (86%) support releasing all files related to deceased financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as President Trump and the administration continue to face blowback over the issue. Smaller majorities of Americans think the files may contain embarrassing information on Trump, Democrats and billionaires.
Overall, 58% of respondents said they disapprove of the way Trump is handling issues related to the Epstein files, while 16% approve and 26% said they had no opinion.
Among "self-described MAGA Republicans" polled by the Washington Post, 43% of them said they approve of Trump's handling of the files, with 39% having no opinion and 17% disapproving. The administration has faced significant backlash from high-profile members of the MAGA base over the handling of the Epstein matter.
-ABC News' Oren Oppenheim
Jul 29, 2025, 12:12 PM EDT
Trump briefed on Manhattan shooting
President Trump wrote on his conservative social media platform that he has been briefed on the mass shooting in Midtown Manhattan, calling the area "a place that I know and love."
"I trust our Law Enforcement Agencies to get to the bottom of why this crazed lunatic committed such a senseless act of violence," Trump wrote. "My heart is with the families of the four people who were killed, including the NYPD Officer, who made the ultimate sacrifice. God Bless the New York Police Department, and God Bless New York!"
Four people were killed and a fifth was injured in a shooting at a Manhattan office building on Monday night.
