Trump told he’s in Epstein files, DOJ meets with Maxwell today: Unbiased Updates, July 24, 2025
President Trump was told he’s in the Epstein files, now the DOJ is set to visit Ghislaine Maxwell behind bars today.
Plus, Tulsi Gabbard accuses Obama of pushing “manufactured intelligence.” Why the Intelligence Director says Obama helped fake the 2016 Russia meddling report to spark a “coup” against Trump
And Uber adds safety feature for women riders. The app is launching a “Women Preferred” setting to let women request female drivers.
These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Thursday, June 26, 2025.
AG Bondi told Trump his name was in Epstein files ahead of denying release: WSJ
Attorney General Pam Bondi told President Trump in May that his name, along with hundreds of others, appeared in the Jeffrey Epstein investigation files, according to senior administration officials and reporting by The Wall Street Journal. At the same meeting, senior Justice Department officials told Trump they would not release additional Epstein-related materials due to the presence of child pornography and victims’ personal information.
Trump deferred to the Justice Department’s decision not to release further files. Officials formally announced this decision in a July 7 memo, saying they had found no client list or evidence to justify further prosecutions.
The decision drew backlash from Trump’s base and allies who had expected full disclosure.
The House Oversight Committee voted 8-2 to subpoena the Justice Department for all Epstein-related records, with three Republicans joining Democrats. The files would be sent to Congress for internal review, with victims’ names redacted.
Ghislaine Maxwell was subpoenaed to testify in August; DOJ officials are seeking to meet with her this week, according to NBC News. Trump’s legal team asked a court to unseal grand jury testimony.
Lawmakers also approved subpoenas for several former senior officials, including Bill and Hillary Clinton, James Comey, Robert Mueller, and six former attorneys general. The Justice Department continues to pursue court approval to unseal grand jury testimony related to the case.
Intelligence director accuses President Obama of ‘treasonous conspiracy’
President Donald Trump accused former President Barack Obama of “treason,” citing declassified documents that he claims allegedly show a conspiracy to undermine his 2016 election victory. The accusation followed public remarks from Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, who said Obama-era officials manufactured a false intelligence report on Russian interference.
Gabbard declassified a 2018 Republican report and internal emails that she says support her allegation of a “treasonous conspiracy.” According to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, the intelligence community initially assessed that Russia likely was not using cyber means to influence the election. A new report, ordered by Obama in December 2016 and released in January 2017, concluded that Russia acted to harm Hillary Clinton and benefit Trump.
Democrats and former Obama officials dismissed the claims. A spokesperson for Obama called them “ridiculous.”
Rep. Jim Himes said Gabbard crossed a dangerous line by accusing a former president without evidence. Past investigations, including a bipartisan Senate report in 2020, endorsed the core findings of the 2017 intelligence assessment, though they did not evaluate the impact on the vote.
Gabbard said the full document set was sent to the Department of Justice for review.
Court: Citizenship can’t be denied to children born in the US
A federal appeals court ruled that President Donald Trump’s executive order ending birthright citizenship violates the Constitution. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court’s nationwide injunction, rejecting the Justice Department’s argument that citizenship could be denied to babies born in the U.S. to undocumented or temporary-status parents.
In a 2-1 decision, Judges Ronald Gould and Michael Hawkins said the order contradicted the 14th Amendment, which grants citizenship to “all persons born in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof.” They also affirmed the lower court’s decision to issue a universal injunction, citing the states’ need for complete relief due to potential impacts on benefit eligibility and funding systems.
Judge Patrick Bumatay dissented, arguing that the states lacked standing but did not address the constitutional question. Trump signed the order on his first day back in office, and it has since faced multiple legal challenges. The case is likely headed to the Supreme Court for review.
The plaintiffs included four states and a group of pregnant women, though the court dismissed the women’s claims, citing an overlapping class-action suit. The administration faces at least nine lawsuits nationwide over the policy.
Columbia University reaches $200M settlement over alleged anti‑Jewish discrimination
Columbia University has agreed to pay $200 million over three years to resolve claims of discrimination against Jewish students during protests over the Israel-Gaza war. The Trump administration had previously frozen $400 million in federal grants, prompting Columbia to make campus policy changes and accept a federal monitor.
In addition to the main settlement, Columbia will pay $21 million to resolve separate employment discrimination claims brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The university agreed to increased oversight of its admissions and hiring practices and will provide certain foreign student data to immigration authorities.
The university said it disciplined more than 70 students over protests and implemented rule changes, including banning face masks at demonstrations and increasing campus security. It restructured its Middle Eastern studies department and created new policies on student conduct and group oversight.
Columbia did not admit wrongdoing but said reform was necessary to protect student rights and restore its federal partnerships.
Kohberger transferred to state prison after emotional sentencing
Bryan Kohberger received four consecutive life sentences without parole for killing four University of Idaho students in 2022. As part of a plea deal, he avoided the death penalty and also received a 10-year sentence for burglary. Prosecutors said DNA evidence, phone data, surveillance footage and purchase history would have been used at trial.
Victims’ relatives and surviving roommates delivered emotional statements during the three-hour hearing. Many spoke directly to Kohberger, who declined to speak and showed no visible reaction. Kaylee Goncalves’ sister called him a sociopath and “as dumb as they come.” Some family members expressed forgiveness, while others condemned him and detailed lasting trauma.
Judge Steven Hippler called Kohberger a “faceless coward” and said no rational motive could explain the crimes. Prosecutor Bill Thompson said the plea deal avoided years of appeals and reflected the families’ wishes. Kohberger waived his right to appeal.
Uber rolls out new safety measures for riders, prioritizes women
Uber is launching a new feature in the U.S. that allows women riders to request female drivers and lets women drivers choose to pick up only women passengers. Called “Women Preferences,” the pilot aims to offer more flexibility and safety in response to user feedback.
The service will begin in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Detroit over the next few weeks, Uber said. The company previously launched similar features abroad, including Saudi Arabia in 2019.
Women riders can request on-demand rides from female drivers, reserve trips in advance, or set a preference in the app. If no female drivers are nearby, users can choose to wait or opt for a quicker ride with any available driver. Women drivers can activate a similar setting to receive trip requests only from women.
Uber cited persistent concerns about safety and a strong demand from women riders and drivers. The company said the program could improve confidence and control for users.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
