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.

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Jul 20, 2025, 1:45 PM EDT

Lutnick confident US will make tariff deal with EU

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Sunday he’s confident the U.S. can get a trade deal done with the European Union, but the administration will stick to its August 1 deadline before tariffs are levied against goods from those countries.

"Nothing stops countries from talking to us after August 1, but they're going to start paying the tariffs on August 1," he told CBS’ “Face the Nation.”

Lutnick told CBS’ “Face the Nation” that he had just gotten off the phone with EU negotiators and that there was “plenty of room” for a deal.

Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick attends a Cabinet Meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, July 8, 2025.
Aaron Schwartz/Pool/EPA/Shutterstock

"These are the two biggest trading partners in the world, talking to each other. We'll get a deal done. I am confident we'll get a deal done," Lutnick said.

As to tariffs on Canadian goods, Lutnick called Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s assertion that there's not a lot of evidence to suggest it can secure a trade deal with the U.S. that avoids tariffs “silly.”

"We have a plan called USMCA – U.S.-Mexico-Canada agreement. Virtually 75% of all goods coming from Mexico and Canada already come in tariff-free. The President said, look, unless you stop this fentanyl and close the border, we're just going to keep tariffs on the other 25% and that's what he has on so don't be confused about it. The President understands that we need to open the markets. Canada is not open to us. They need to open their market. Unless they are willing to open their market, they're going to pay a tariff," Lutnick said.

Asked if the Trump administration plans to renegotiate USMCA, Lutnick said, “I think the president is absolutely going to renegotiate USMCA. But that's a year from today.”

-ABC News’ Hannah Demissie

Jul 19, 2025, 6:58 PM EDT

Trump urges Senate Majority Leader Thune to cancel August recess

Trump urged Senate Majority Leader John Thune to cancel the August congressional recess to allow for the confirmation of his nominees, stating in a social media post Saturday, "We need them badly!"

“Hopefully the very talented John Thune, fresh off our many victories over the past two weeks and, indeed, 6 months, will cancel August recess (and long weekends!), in order to get my incredible nominees confirmed,” Trump wrote.

-ABC News' Kelsey Walsh

Jul 19, 2025, 4:10 PM EDT

Trump pushes back against critics over Epstein probe

Although President Donald Trump ordered the Justice Department to request the release of more details in the probe of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, he claimed Saturday that the move may do little to quell the outspoken criticism of his administration's handling of the case.

The president reiterated on social media that he asked the DOJ "to release all Grand Jury testimony with respect to Jeffrey Epstein, subject only to Court Approval." Trump, however, lashed out against the loud voices who have called for transparency.

President Donald Trump leaves after signing the "GENIUS Act" into law during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House, July 18, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

"Even if the Court gave its full and unwavering approval, nothing will be good enough for the troublemakers and radical left lunatics making the request. It will always be more, more, more," Trump said in his post.

Jul 19, 2025, 12:55 PM EDT

9 of 10 Americans freed from Venezuela back in US: Source

Nine of the 10 Americans freed from Venezuela in the latest swap are now back on U.S. soil, an official familiar with the matter told ABC News Saturday.

PHOTO: One of the 10 US citizens exchanged between the US government and the Venezuelan government waves a US flag upon arrival  at the San Oscar Romero International Airport in San Luis Talpa, El Salvador, on July 18, 2025.
This handout released by El Salvador's presidency shows one of the 10 US citizens exchanged between the US government and the Venezuelan government waving a US flag upon arrival at the San Oscar Romero International Airport in San Luis Talpa, El Salvador, on July 18, 2025.
El Salvador's Presidency Press Office via AFP via Getty Images

The remaining freed prisoner was a dual U.S.-Venezuelan citizen, according to the official.

-ABC News' Shannon Kingston

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