The Republican response to the release of a suggestive note to Jeffrey Epstein apparently signed by President Trump followed a familiar pattern of deflection.
Speaker Mike Johnson, who did not emerge from his office on Monday in the hours after the drawing was released, eventually said he had not seen President Trump’s note.
Senator Mark Warner’s visit was classified and not intended to be publicized. It was to include a meeting with the head of the agency and a briefing on the agency’s use of artificial intelligence.
Laura Loomer has questioned the loyalty of various intelligence officers, and helped oust the National Security Agency’s director, deputy director and general counsel.
The move came as Republican leaders pressed colleagues not to force a vote on disclosing all the material. Most of what was released on Tuesday was not new.
President Trump has few sources of independent advice just as he is trying to broker an end to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, perhaps the trickiest negotiation of his presidency.
President Trump has made it clear he believes his personal connection with President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia can help him secure a peace deal on Ukraine.
Connexion
