Raskin: Ghislaine Maxwell Prison Interview Is a ‘Whitewash and a Cover-Up’

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Representative Jamie Raskin (D-MD) sharply criticized a newly released Department of Justice interview with convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell, calling it an “absolute whitewash and a cover-up.”

Speaking on MSNBC’s All In Friday evening, Raskin said Maxwell’s remarks contradicted the facts established at her trial and dismissed the experiences of victims. “It’s really an astonishing performance because contrary to everything that was found at trial and everything we know, Ghislaine Maxwell basically accused the underage victims of lying,” Raskin said.

The Maryland congressman noted that Maxwell denied witnessing any inappropriate sexual contact between Jeffrey Epstein and underage girls, and even went out of her way to defend former President Donald Trump. According to Raskin, Maxwell “gave a clean bill of health to President Trump, which is what that was all about, and complimented his rise to power.”

MSNBC host Chris Hayes also raised questions about the transparency of the transcript, pointing out that there were reports of an off-the-record portion of the discussion between Maxwell and her lawyer, Todd Blanche. “I want to say we don’t know if it’s complete,” Hayes said, adding that it was unclear whether the transcript reflected the full scope of Maxwell’s comments.

The interview emerged alongside the release of the first batch of 33,000 documents related to the case, which have been provided to the House Oversight Committee. Raskin said the materials would need to be reviewed carefully, but he urged the public to view Maxwell’s comments with skepticism.

“So, you know, I think people can see this for what it is,” Raskin said. “It’s an absolute whitewash and a cover-up.”

The interview and accompanying documents mark the latest chapter in the ongoing scrutiny of Epstein’s network, raising fresh questions about what information remains sealed and how much the public will ultimately learn.

Trump to Patrol DC With Cops, Military Tonight as Part of His Crime Crackdown in the Capital

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President Trump told conservative radio host Todd Starnes Thursday he plans on tagging along with DC police and National Guard members as they patrol the capital this evening.

“I’m going to be going out tonight, I think with the police and with the military of course,” the president said. “So we’re going to do a job — the National Guard is great, they’ve done a fantastic job.”

The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Thursday marked 10 days since Trump federalized the Metropolitan Police Department and called out the National Guard in response to a series of high-profile crimes in the district.

Yesterday, Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth treated National Guard members to lunch at DC’s Union Station.

(Read more from “Trump to Patrol DC With Cops, Military Tonight as Part of His Crime Crackdown in the Capital” HERE)

Russia Hammers Ukraine With One of the Largest Air Strikes of the War

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Russia launched one of its biggest aerial attacks of the year on Ukraine, firing 574 drones and 40 ballistic and cruise missiles overnight, the Ukrainian Air Force said Thursday, while a recent diplomatic push to stop the three-year war is trying to gain momentum.

The attack mostly targeted western regions of the country, the air force said, where much of the military aid provided by Ukraine´s Western allies is believed to be delivered and stored. The strikes killed at least one person and injured 15 others, according to officials.

It was Russia´s third-largest aerial attack this year in terms of the number of drones fired and the eighth-largest in terms of missiles, according to official figures. Most such Russian attacks have hit civilian areas.

The strikes occurred during a renewed U.S.-led effort to reach a peace settlement following Russia´s February 2022 invasion of its neighbor. U.S. President Donald Trump discussed the war with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska last week, and at the start of this week hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders at the White House. (Read more from “Russia Hammers Ukraine With One of the Largest Air Strikes of the War” HERE)

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Trump Calls Netanyahu a ‘War Hero’ and Adds: ‘I Guess I Am, Too’

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President Trump praised Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel as a “war hero” for ordering his country’s forces to bombard Iran’s nuclear sites — and then said that the same label should apply to himself.

In an interview aired Tuesday with Mark Levin, the conservative talk show host and author who is a prominent supporter of the president, Mr. Trump described Mr. Netanyahu as a “good man.” His words echoed the mood of self-congratulation over the strikes on Iran when the two leaders met at the White House in July.

“He’s a war hero, because we work together. He’s a war hero,” Mr. Trump said of the Israeli leader. “I guess I am too,” he added.

Israel in mid-June launched waves of airstrikes against Iran, hitting important nuclear facilities in Natanz and Isfahan. It killed much of the country’s military chain of command along with several nuclear scientists. Then, on June 22, the United States used large bombs to strike the Iranian nuclear site at Fordo, which is buried under a mountain. (Read more from “Trump Calls Netanyahu a ‘War Hero’ and Adds: ‘I Guess I Am, Too’” HERE)

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U.S. Deploys Warships to Venezuela in Trump’s Cartel Crackdown

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The United States has deployed three Aegis guided-missile destroyers to waters off Venezuela as part of President Trump’s escalating campaign against Latin American drug cartels, U.S. officials confirmed this week.

According to an official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to the Associated Press, the USS Gravely, USS Jason Dunham, and USS Sampson will operate in the region over the coming months in support of counter-narcotics missions. The deployment marks one of the largest U.S. naval shows of force in the Caribbean in recent years.

The move underscores President Trump’s strategy of using the military to pressure cartels he blames for flooding U.S. communities with fentanyl and fueling violence through cross-border trafficking and smuggling networks. Trump has argued that traditional law enforcement and diplomatic measures have failed to stop the cartels, vowing instead to “take the fight directly to them.”

The president has also increased pressure on Mexico, warning President Claudia Sheinbaum that the U.S. military could be deployed inside Mexican territory if her government fails to rein in cartel activity. Sheinbaum has firmly rejected the idea of U.S. intervention but has pledged to intensify Mexico’s anti-cartel operations.

In February, the U.S. formally designated Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua, El Salvador’s MS-13, and six major Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. The designations give federal agencies expanded authority to pursue their members, finances, and global networks.

The crackdown also ties into Trump’s broader immigration agenda. The Department of Homeland Security reports that more than 324,000 illegal immigrants have been deported since the start of the year — about 70 percent with criminal records or cartel ties. Another 1.2 million individuals are estimated to have left the U.S. voluntarily under the administration’s stepped-up enforcement measures.

At sea, the U.S. Coast Guard has tripled its presence along the southern maritime approaches, focusing on detecting and interdicting drug and human smuggling ventures. Officials say the addition of the destroyers will expand surveillance and interdiction capabilities, creating what amounts to a layered defense against cartel networks operating in the Caribbean and South America.

The deployment of U.S. warships near Venezuela is expected to strain Washington’s already tense relationship with Caracas, which has long accused the U.S. of using counternarcotics operations as a pretext for intervention. Still, U.S. officials maintain the mission is focused squarely on dismantling trafficking pipelines, not sparking new conflict.

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Kentucky Judge Slain by Sheriff Accused of Running Courthouse ‘Like a Brothel’

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New allegations have surfaced against a rural Kentucky judge who was gunned down in his own chambers last year — painting a disturbing picture of a courthouse turned into a hub for sex-for-favors schemes and illicit parties.

Judge Kevin Mullins, 53, was shot execution-style inside his Letcher County chambers last September, allegedly by his longtime friend and county sheriff, Shawn Stines. Now, one of Mullins’ reported victims claims the slain judge used his position of power to coerce young women into performing sexual favors in exchange for leniency, money, or simply to stay out of trouble.

Tya Adams told NewsNation’s Banfield that she was pressured into taking part in what she described as sex parties involving Mullins and other influential figures in the small town of Whitesburg.

“We would do sex parties and perform shows and have sex with them for money, things like that,” Adams alleged. “It was consensual. But it was the thing that we were so young, and then they used it against us and to destroy our lives later.”

Adams said she feared Child Protective Services could be used against her if she refused, describing a culture where silence was expected. “Who would believe it anyway? Because the whole town was doing it. Nobody cares. They’re all swingers. It’s all a big party to them. It was just so normal,” she said.

Sarah Davis, a former deputy jailer in Letcher County, told the outlet she had long heard “nasty and sickening” stories about Mullins’ alleged misconduct and was even invited to one of the parties herself.

“Pretty much everybody in the county knows,” Davis said.

The allegations align with past claims. In 2022, during a probe into deputy sheriff Ben Fields — later jailed for raping and coercing a female inmate — another woman told investigators that Mullins was involved. She said she personally saw the judge engaged in sex acts in his chambers and alleged Fields had videotaped encounters involving young women.

It remains unclear whether Mullins’ alleged misconduct was tied to his violent death. Prosecutors say Sheriff Stines, who had been close friends with the judge for decades, had lunch with Mullins just hours before the killing. Surveillance footage reportedly shows Stines making several phone calls from the judge’s office before opening fire.

After the shooting, Stines surrendered immediately, telling officers: “They’re trying to kidnap my wife and kid.” His attorney has described the killing as a crime of passion brought on by “extreme emotional disturbance.”

The allegations against Mullins — of running his courthouse “like a brothel” — have further shaken the small Appalachian community still reeling from his killing.

Tulsi Gabbard Revamps ODNI, Reducing Agency By Almost 50%, Saving Taxpayers Over $700 Million

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Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard will announce Wednesday afternoon that she is refocusing her agency to aggressively execute its national security mission, shrinking the Office of the Director of National Intelligence nearly 50% and saving hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars.

Gabbard described the changes as “ODNI 2.0,” in a statement on Wednesday, calling the shift “the start of a new era focused on serving our country, fulfilling our core national security mission with excellence, always grounded in the U.S. Constitution, and ensuring the safety, security, and freedom of the American people.”

ODNI will be reduced by almost 50% by the end of the fiscal year 2025, ultimately saving taxpayers over $700 million per year, senior DNI officials shared with The Daily Wire. This will be done by combining agency centers and reducing personnel.

The ODNI workforce will receive an email on Wednesday afternoon informing them of the changes. Employees will also be notified if their position has been eliminated, alerting them that they will be separated from the ODNI by September 30. (Read more from “Tulsi Gabbard Revamps ODNI, Reducing Agency By Almost 50%, Saving Taxpayers Over $700 Million” HERE)

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How Fauci And A Deep State Cabal Suppressed Intel In Historic Deception

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Senior American intelligence officials concealed classified intelligence that COVID-19 came from a lab from the president and the public, granting Anthony Fauci’s inner circle extraordinary influence while silencing their own spy scientists, a Daily Caller News Foundation investigation found.

Evidence pointing to a lab leak included signals intelligence collected from Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leaders in 2019 between Beijing and Wuhan revealing a major emergency, one former official told the DCNF. An increasingly political deep state concealed it from President Donald Trump during the first two months of the pandemic, deflecting blame from China as political rival Joe Biden sought to lay responsibility for the pandemic squarely at Trump’s feet.

Higher-ups continued to dismiss evidence for a lab leak as the fodder for a conspiracy theory and Trump’s hardline stance against China, deceiving millions of Americans about a disease that upended their lives and felled loved ones. Spy scientists at four intelligence agencies and four other government officials spoke to the DCNF on condition of anonymity to reveal previously unreported details about censored intelligence under two presidential administrations.

Spy scientists also decoded engineering in the COVID-19 genome — clues Chinese authorities were powerless to hide, two spy scientists said. But this evidence was conspicuously omitted from public reports released by the intelligence community under then-President Biden, as senior officials instead elevated the analyses of Fauci’s inner circle, who argued the virus was assuredly natural. The omission prompted a formal complaint from one agency, one spy scientist said.

Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard told the DCNF she would hold the intelligence community accountable by working with whistleblowers, reviewing classified material, and investigating where taxpayer funds may have helped create the COVID-19 virus. (Read more from “How Fauci And A Deep State Cabal Suppressed Intel In Historic Deception” HERE)

Judge Rejects Trump DOJ Bid to Unseal Epstein Grand Jury Transcript, Calls It a ‘Diversion’

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A federal judge has rejected an effort by the Trump administration’s Department of Justice to unseal grand jury testimony related to Jeffrey Epstein, describing the request as a “diversion” from broader records in the government’s possession.

Judge Richard Berman, a Clinton appointee, issued a 14-page ruling on Wednesday denying the DOJ’s petition, which had been filed in July 2025 at the direction of President Donald Trump. The judge wrote that the transcript in question was “merely a hearsay snippet of Jeffrey Epstein’s alleged conduct,” adding that the government itself should be responsible for making a more comprehensive disclosure of records tied to the Epstein case.

“The Government is the logical party to make comprehensive disclosure to the public of the Epstein files,” Berman noted. “By comparison, the instant grand jury motion appears to be a ‘diversion’ from the breadth and scope of the Epstein files in the Government’s possession.”

The ruling follows two earlier rejections of attempts to unseal similar transcripts in both Epstein’s Florida proceedings and the Ghislaine Maxwell case.

Attorneys representing several Epstein victims raised objections to the DOJ’s approach, questioning whether proper notice and safeguards were provided. In an August 5 letter to Judge Berman, victims’ lawyers wrote that their clients felt “deep anxiety” about the adequacy of redactions. The attorneys criticized the government for failing to notify victims before moving to unseal the grand jury materials, a step they argued could compromise privacy and safety.

Berman echoed those concerns, noting that maintaining confidentiality in certain aspects of the case remains crucial to protecting individuals involved.

Meanwhile, congressional scrutiny of the Epstein files has intensified. House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer announced on August 5 that the DOJ would begin providing Epstein-related records to his committee by the end of that week, though the process of reviewing and redacting sensitive information would take time.

“There are many records in DOJ’s custody, and it will take the Department time to produce all the records and ensure the identification of victims and any child sexual abuse material are redacted,” Comer said in a statement, adding that he welcomed efforts by the Trump administration to promote transparency.

Why Did Trump Push for the Transcript?

The unusual element in this case remains the Trump administration’s decision to prioritize unsealing a single grand jury transcript rather than pursuing a broader release of Epstein-related files. Critics, including Judge Berman, have suggested the request distracted from a more comprehensive accounting of the government’s records.

The timing of the move also drew attention. Just days before the filing, a DOJ memo stating Epstein had no “client list” and died by suicide prompted frustration among Trump’s political base, who demanded fuller disclosure. Whether the push to unseal the transcript was motivated by those political pressures, or by a broader policy commitment to transparency, remains unclear.

Nvidia Reportedly Developing New AI Chip for China Amid Export Restrictions

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Nvidia, the world’s most valuable chipmaker, is reportedly preparing to release a new artificial intelligence chip tailored for China, even as Washington tightens controls on advanced semiconductor exports.

According to sources cited by Reuters, the chip—codenamed B30A—is designed to comply with U.S. trade restrictions while still offering more power than the H20 models currently sold in China. The B30A is expected to be about half as powerful as Nvidia’s flagship B300 Blackwell GPU but will include key features such as fast data transfer, NVLink support, and high-bandwidth memory. Unlike the dual-die structure of the B300, the B30A will rely on a simpler single-die design.

Nvidia has not confirmed specific details about the chip but acknowledged in a statement that it “evaluates a variety of products for our roadmap, so that we can be prepared to compete to the extent that governments allow.” The company emphasized that all of its products are approved by regulators and developed strictly for commercial use.

The development of the B30A comes as the United States and China continue to clash over access to next-generation technologies. Washington has restricted exports of advanced GPUs over concerns that Beijing could use them for military or surveillance purposes. Industry critics say the U.S. must maintain its technological edge by limiting China’s access, while Nvidia and other American chipmakers argue that abandoning the Chinese market would hand the advantage to domestic rivals like Huawei.

In a related development, Breitbart News reported that the Trump administration recently struck a deal with Nvidia and AMD requiring both companies to share 15 percent of their revenues from Chinese chip sales with the U.S. government. The arrangement was reportedly tied to export licenses granted last week, allowing the sale of restricted chips such as Nvidia’s H20 and AMD’s MI308. Officials have not disclosed how the collected funds will be used.

Despite the geopolitical headwinds, Nvidia appears determined to hold its position in China, the world’s largest semiconductor market.

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