44 m. ago Trump directs attorney general Pam Bondi to seek release of Epstein grand jury testimony – US politics live

Bondi replies to president’s Truth Social post to say she is ‘ready to move the court tomorrow to unseal the grand jury transcripts’Trump supporters burn Maga hats after he dismisses Epstein files furorDonald Trump has lashed out against his own supporters, calling them gullible “weaklings” for questioning the transparency of a secretive government inquiry into the late high-profile socialite and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.The US president is struggling to contain a political crisis within his usually loyal Make America Great Again (Maga) base over suspicion that the administration is hiding details of Epstein’s crimes to protect the rich elite Epstein associated with, which included Trump. Continue reading...

Politics

1 hour ago Trump goes nuclear on Rupert Murdoch after his 'filthy rag' publishes letter to Epstein while calling for Bondi to clear his name

The report alleges Trump took part in a 50th birthday album by sending well wishes and a cryptic message on a card with a hand drawn naked woman.

Politics

2 h. ago Trump directs ‘pertinent’ Epstein files released after his threats to sue over bombshell report: Live updates

A letter sent to Jeffrey Epstein on his birthday was apparently penned by President Donald Trump, a new report claims

Events

2 h. ago Trump directs attorney general Pam Bondi to release Epstein grand jury testimony – US politics live

Bondi replies to president’s Truth Social post to say she is ‘ready to move the court tomorrow to unseal the grand jury transcripts’Trump supporters burn Maga hats after he dismisses Epstein files furorDonald Trump has lashed out against his own supporters, calling them gullible “weaklings” for questioning the transparency of a secretive government inquiry into the late high-profile socialite and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.The US president is struggling to contain a political crisis within his usually loyal Make America Great Again (Maga) base over suspicion that the administration is hiding details of Epstein’s crimes to protect the rich elite Epstein associated with, which included Trump. Continue reading...

Politics

3 h. ago Trump accused of salacious birthday letter to Jeffrey Epstein with president allegedly using raunchy drawing to mark their 'wonderful secret'

President Donald Trump sent a salacious birthday message to Jeffrey Epstein that included a risqué hand-drawn picture of a naked woman with a cryptic message inside, according to a new report.

Politics

4 h. ago Unreleased Epstein files reportedly include bawdy letter from Trump – US politics live

Wall Street Journal reports US president wrote letter to mark Epstein’s 50th birthday in 2003 – but Trump dismisses it as ‘fake thing’Trump supporters burn Maga hats after he dismisses Epstein files furorDonald Trump has lashed out against his own supporters, calling them gullible “weaklings” for questioning the transparency of a secretive government inquiry into the late high-profile socialite and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.The US president is struggling to contain a political crisis within his usually loyal Make America Great Again (Maga) base over suspicion that the administration is hiding details of Epstein’s crimes to protect the rich elite Epstein associated with, which included Trump. Continue reading...

Politics

4 h. ago Trump’s reported birthday letter to Epstein revealed in bombshell report: Live updates

A letter sent to Jeffrey Epstein on his birthday was apparently penned by President Donald Trump, a new report claims

Politics

6 h. ago Trump Epstein fallout continues as press secretary attempts to explain president’s ‘hoax’ claims: Live updates

Trump attacks own supporters for continuing to press for release of Epstein files causing rift in MAGA base

Politics

9 h. ago Trump’s press secretary fields Epstein questions after president lashes out against ‘hoax’ theories: Live

‘I don’t want their support anymore!’ says president, calling supporters demanding answers on Epstein files ‘weaklings’

Politics

9 h. ago White House says Trump won’t recommend special prosecutor in Epstein case and calls Democrats wanting transparency ‘asinine’ – live

White House press secretary doubles down on Trump’s partisan lines of attack about the Jeffrey Epstein case, which as cause turmoil among his Maga baseTrump supporters burn Maga hats after he dismisses Epstein files furorDonald Trump has lashed out against his own supporters, calling them gullible “weaklings” for questioning the transparency of a secretive government inquiry into the late high-profile socialite and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.The US president is struggling to contain a political crisis within his usually loyal Make America Great Again (Maga) base over suspicion that the administration is hiding details of Epstein’s crimes to protect the rich elite Epstein associated with, which included Trump. Continue reading...

Politics

11 h. ago Merz says he ‘deplores deeply’ UK’s decision to leave EU after signing UK

UK PM and German chancellor answered media questions after signing first treaty between two countries since second world warWhile Rushanara Ali is answering the urgent question in the Commons, Keir Starmer is speaking at the event where he is announcing a “civil society covenant”.There is a live feed here.Why does this government think a 16-year-old can vote but not be allowed to buy a lottery ticket or an alcoholic drink, marry or go to war, or even stand in the elections they’re voting? It isn’t the government’s position on the age of maturity just hopelessly confused? Continue reading...

Politics

12 h. ago Starmer says coalition of willing plan for peacekeeping force for Ukraine includes troops on ground – UK politics live

UK PM and German chancellor answered media questions after signing first treaty between two countries since second world warWhile Rushanara Ali is answering the urgent question in the Commons, Keir Starmer is speaking at the event where he is announcing a “civil society covenant”.There is a live feed here.Why does this government think a 16-year-old can vote but not be allowed to buy a lottery ticket or an alcoholic drink, marry or go to war, or even stand in the elections they’re voting? It isn’t the government’s position on the age of maturity just hopelessly confused? Continue reading...

Politics

13 h. ago Trump lashes out at supporters as poll says most Americans believe key details on Epstein being hidden: Live

‘I don’t want their support anymore!’ says president, calling supporters demanding answers on Epstein files ‘weaklings’

Politics

14 h. ago Starmer defends lowering voting age to 16, saying people old enough to pay tax should have a say – UK politics live

Plan to give 16 and 17-year-olds vote across UK means nearly 1.5 million more people will be to have say at general electionWhile Rushanara Ali is answering the urgent question in the Commons, Keir Starmer is speaking at the event where he is announcing a “civil society covenant”.There is a live feed here.Why does this government think a 16-year-old can vote but not be allowed to buy a lottery ticket or an alcoholic drink, marry or go to war, or even stand in the elections they’re voting? It isn’t the government’s position on the age of maturity just hopelessly confused? Continue reading...

Politics

17 h. ago Voting age to be lowered to 16 across UK by next general election

16- and 17-year-olds will be able to vote in all elections as part of changes including easier voter registration and crackdown on foreign interferenceUK politics live – latest updatesThe voting age will be lowered to 16 across the UK by the next general election in a major change of the democratic system.The government said it was a reform to bring in more fairness for 16- and 17-year-olds, many of whom already work and are able to serve in the military. It brings the whole of the UK voting age to 16. Scotland and Wales have already made the change for Holyrood and Senedd elections, as well as local council elections. Continue reading...

Politics

19 h. ago Jess Phillips says Labour rebels should not be surprised by the action taken against them – UK politics live

Home Office minister defends Keir Starmer’s decision to remove whip from four MPs and says Labour must ‘act as a team’Good morning. Chief whips tends to be quite secretive, and when four Labour MPs had the whip suspended yesterday, there was no detailed, public explanation as to why they were being punished for rebelling when so many other backbenchers, who have also voted against the party, have not been singled out. As Eleni Courea and Jessica Elgot report in our overnight story, we were just told they were regular rebels.But the best explanation came from the Labour party source who told Geri Scott from the Times that the four MPs – Rachael Maskell, Neil Duncan-Jordan, Brian Leishman and Chris Hinchliff – were being punished for “persistent knobheadery”.I don’t think that the discipline that has been meted out over the last 24 hours is linked to [the welfare bill] because many more people voted against the government than these four people.I actually don’t know because I’m not pa...

Politics

33 h. ago What are rescissions – and why does Trump want Congress to approve them?

The president is pushing for cuts in spending that Congress needs to approve to take effect – but what exactly are they?US politics live – latest updatesCongressional Republicans are pushing for passage of a rescissions package, legislation requested by Donald Trump that will claw back $9bn in funding intended for foreign aid programs and public broadcasting.The bill, which is part of the president’s campaign to slash government spending, passed the House last month, and is now being debated in the Senate. Continue reading...

Politics

35 h. ago Trump privately indicates he may soon fire Fed chair Jerome Powell

The US president denies he would dismiss the Federal Reserve head after reportedly drafting letter to sack himDonald Trump has privately indicated he is on the cusp of firing the Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell, rattling Wall Street and renewing questions over the US central bank’s independence.The US president insisted on Wednesday that it was “highly unlikely” he would dismiss the Fed chair, after reports he had suggested he would and shown a draft letter dismissing Powell to political allies. Continue reading...

Politics

36 h. ago Keir Starmer removes Labour whip from four ‘persistent rebel’ MPs

Rachael Maskell, Neil Duncan-Jordan, Brian Leishman and Chris Hinchliff pushed out and three trade envoys lose rolesUK politics live – latest updatesKeir Starmer has removed the Labour whip from four MPs for repeatedly breaching discipline and stripped three further Labour MPs of their trade envoy roles in an effort to assert his control over the party.The Guardian understands that the four MPs who have lost the whip are Rachael Maskell, Neil Duncan-Jordan, Brian Leishman and Chris Hinchliff. They were informed on Wednesday afternoon and told their positions would be kept under review. Continue reading...

Politics

37 h. ago Trump calls Epstein case a hoax and lashes out at Maga critics – live updates

President tries to downplay issue amid growing outrage from conservativesTrump says people interested in Epstein inquiry are ‘bad people’As Democrats reckon with a deep inter-party divide that threatens their ability to repair the party’s image and win back voters, Ken Martin said he was not focused on “internal bullshit” because “most people could care less about the internal drama and soap opera of the Democratic party”.Martin, the chair of the Democratic National Committee, told the Guardian that he knows Democrats have to earn back trust from communities across the country before the midterms. Continue reading...

Politics