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.
Leavitt announces White House ballroom construction to begin in September
The White House press secretary announced Thursday that construction will begin soon on the White House ballroom.
The addition will be 90,000 square feet.
Karoline Leavitt said construction will be done "long before" Trump's term is done.
Leavitt said Trump and unidentified donors would be paying for the $200 million addition.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks during a press briefing in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, July 31, 2025, in Washington.
Mark Schiefelbein/AP
Jul 31, 2025, 1:41 PM EDT
Witkoff had 'productive' meeting with Netanyahu, will go to Gaza Friday
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt shared details of special envoy Steve Witkoff's trip to Israel on Thursday.
"Special envoy Witkoff and Ambassador [Mike] Huckabee had a very productive meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other officials today in Israel on the topic of delivering much-needed food and aid to Gaza," Leavitt said. "President Trump is a humanitarian with a big heart, and that's why he sent special envoy Witkoff to the region in an effort to save lives and end this crisis."
Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff meets with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, July 31, 2025.
@netanyahu/X
Leavitt said Witkoff and Huckabee will travel into Gaza on Friday "to inspect the current distribution sites and secure a plan to deliver more food" and hear "firsthand about this dire situation on the ground."
The two men will "brief the president immediately after their visit to approve a final plan for food and aid distribution into the region, and we will provide more details for all of you once that plan is approved and agreed on by the president of the United States," Leavitt said.
Jul 31, 2025, 1:39 PM EDT
Leavitt boasts that Trump should get Nobel Peace Prize
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt boasted about President Donald Trump's work with international relations Thursday and claimed that the president should be getting more recognition.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks during a press briefing at the White House in Washington, July 31, 2025.
Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters
"It's well past time that President Trump was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize," she said, reading from prepared remarks.
Leavitt cited the administration's work in dealing with conflicts between Israel and Iran, Cambodia and Thailand and India and Pakistan as examples.
Jul 31, 2025, 12:13 PM EDT
Trump says US, Mexico have agreed to extend their current tariff agreement for 90 days
President Donald Trump posted on social media that he and Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum have agreed to extend the current tariff agreement between the U.S. and Mexico for 90 days to continue conversations.
“The complexities of a Deal with Mexico are somewhat different than other Nations because of both the problems, and assets, of the Border. We have agreed to extend, for a 90 Day period, the exact same Deal as we had for the last short period of time,” Trump wrote.
President Donald Trump speaks before signing the VA Home Loan Program Reform Act in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, July 30, 2025.
Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images
This means a 25% tariff on non-USMCA compliant goods from Mexico, as well as a 50% tariff on steel, aluminum, copper and derivative products will remain in place.
Mexico has agreed to immediately terminate its non-tariff trade barriers, according to Trump.