Trump Admin Live Updates: Appeals Court Blocks Trump in Kahlil Case

Trump’s Return to Washington Amid Ongoing Controversies

President Donald Trump has returned to Washington, where he is expected to face continued scrutiny over his administration's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files. On Wednesday, Trump will hold a bill signing and deliver remarks on "Making Health Technology Great Again." His focus remains on domestic policy, but foreign affairs continue to dominate headlines.

Appeals Court Denies Trump Admin Attempt to Detain Activist

On July 30, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals denied the Trump administration’s attempt to re-detain Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University pro-Palestinian activist, while it continues to appeal a federal judge’s decision to release him. A panel of three judges found that the administration did not demonstrate it would suffer “irreparable harm” if Khalil was not detained again. The court also partially rejected the government’s request to pause U.S. District Judge Michael Farbiarz’s order, which reaffirmed that Khalil cannot be detained solely based on Secretary of State Marco Rubio's assertion that his presence in the U.S. is harmful to the administration’s foreign policy priorities.

The same day Khalil was released on bail, the immigration judge overseeing his removal proceedings found him removable based on Rubio’s determination. However, the appeals court did not order the immigration judge to consider Khalil’s request for a waiver of removability. This case is widely thought to be headed toward the Supreme Court, as the Trump administration has accused the District Court of overstepping its authority.

South Korea Trade Deal Announced

On July 30, Trump announced a trade deal with South Korea, in which it will receive a 15% tariff rate and have no duty on U.S. goods. Additionally, South Korea will purchase $100 billion in LNG or other energy products and invest a large sum of money for their investment purposes. This deal is set to be finalized when the President of South Korea, Lee Jae Myung, visits the White House for a bilateral meeting.

Tariffs on Brazil and Sanctions on Brazilian Judge

Trump imposed tariffs on Brazil and sanctioned a Brazilian judge over what the White House described as a "politically motivated persecution" of former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro. An executive order added another 40% tariff on Brazil, bringing its total tariff rate to 50% when combined with the 10% baseline tariff. The move aims to address recent policies by the Brazilian government that are seen as threats to U.S. national security, foreign policy, and economy.

In addition, the Treasury Department sanctioned Alexandre de Moraes, a Brazilian Supreme Federal Court justice, for authorizing arbitrary pre-trial detentions and suppressing freedom of expression. This comes as Bolsonaro faces charges in Brazil for an attempted coup d’état.

Push for Release of Epstein Files

House Speaker Mike Johnson stated that he and Trump are pushing for the full release of the Epstein files. Johnson emphasized the need to reveal all information about the Epstein crimes to ensure those involved are held accountable. He also pushed back against Rep. Thomas Massie’s bipartisan effort to force a House vote on releasing the files.

Copper Tariff Imposed

Trump signed a proclamation to impose a 50% tariff on copper imports effective August 1. The tariff applies to semi-finished copper products and copper-intensive derivative products. This move is part of Trump's broader strategy to protect American industries from foreign competition.

Strong GDP Growth Celebrated

The White House’s top economic adviser, Kevin Hassett, celebrated the latest GDP data, which showed a 3% annualized growth rate for the U.S. economy. Hassett highlighted the strong growth coupled with low inflation, calling it one of the best GDP releases. Consumer spending played a key role in this economic surge.

India Tariff Announcement

Trump announced a 25% tariff on India starting August 1, citing high tariffs and non-monetary trade barriers. This move could impact the supply of generic drugs in the U.S., as India is a major producer and exporter of such medications.

Senate Confirms Trump Lawyer to Appeals Court

The Senate confirmed Emil Bove, a former Trump lawyer, to a lifetime appointment on the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. Bove’s confirmation was controversial, with concerns raised by whistleblowers prior to the vote. Despite opposition from some Republicans and Democrats, Bove was confirmed by a narrow margin.

Deadline for Russia Ceasefire

Trump gave Russia a 10-day deadline to agree to a ceasefire with Ukraine, warning of potential sanctions if no agreement is reached. However, he noted that there has been no response from Russia yet.

New Air Force One Expected Soon

Trump mentioned that the new Air Force One, a luxury jet gifted from Qatar, could be ready for use as early as February. The cost of refurbishing the plane is classified, though estimates suggest it could reach up to $1 billion.