President Trump defended his attorney Pam Bondi on Saturday as leadership at the Justice Department and the FBI face turmoil over its handling of the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.
Trump praised Bondi for doing a "fantastic job" and urged his "boys" and "gals" to stop criticizing her. "LET PAM BONDI DO HER JOB — SHE’S GREAT!" he posted on his social media platform.
On Sunday, the president and first lady Melania Trump are attending the FIFA Club World Cup in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Rubio to meet with Russian counterpart in Malaysia
Secretary of State Marco Rubio will meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the ASEAN gathering in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday, according to the State Department’s public schedule.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio attends an event to promote President Donald Trump's domestic policy and budget agenda in the East Room of the White House, on June 26, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
Mark Schiefelbein/AP
The meeting is set to take place at 6 p.m. local time in Malaysia, 6 a.m. EDT, according to the schedule.
-ABC News’ Shannon Kingston
Jul 09, 2025, 7:52 PM EDT
Trump slaps 50% tariff on Brazil, the world’s largest coffee producer
In a post on his social media platform, Trump said he was levying a 50% tariff on Brazil, the world’s leading coffee producer, citing, in part, its treatment of former President Jair Bolsanaro.
“The way that Brazil has treated former President Bolsonaro, a Highly Respected Leader throughout the world during his Term, including by the United States, is an international disgrace. This Trial should not be taking place. It is a Witch Hunt that should end IMMEDIATELY,” Trump wrote.
President Donald Trump listens as African Leaders deliver remarks during a multilateral lunch in the State Dining Room of the White House July 9, 2025 in Washington.
Win McNamee/Getty Images
Bolsanaro, who was president from 2019 to 2022, is standing trial before Brazil’s Supreme Court for his alleged role in an attempted coup in 2023.
Brazil produced 37% of the world’s coffee in 2024-25, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agriculture Service.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva responded on X, writing that "Brazil is a sovereign country with independent institutions that will not accept being tutored by anyone."
-ABC News' Hannah Demissie
Jul 09, 2025, 6:33 PM EDT
Official says US has resumed some weapons to Ukraine
A U.S. official confirmed to ABC News that the U.S. has resumed sending some weapons to Ukraine following the pause that was lifted Monday night.
A HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) missile launcher is shown at Lockheed Martin Camden Operations in Camden, Ark., U.S., Feb. 27, 2023.
Nate Luna/ABC News
The weapons now flowing into Ukraine include 155mm artillery rounds and the GMLR rockets used by HIMARS launchers, the official said.
-ABC News’ Luis Martinez and Anne Flaherty
Jul 09, 2025, 5:51 PM EDT
DC mayor downplays Trump’s takeover remarks
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser downplayed Trump’s recent remarks suggesting a possible federal takeover of the nation's capital, pointing to the city’s lack of statehood and the importance of maintaining a working relationship with the White House.
The District received some autonomy under the 1973 Home Rule Act, which gave residents the ability to elect their own local government, including a mayor and council. However, Congress retains significant oversight powers over the District.
Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser speaks alongside President Donald Trump during an event on the NFL Draft in the Oval Office of the White House, May 05, 2025 in Washington.
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
“When a president has both houses of the Congress, limited home rule is just that,” Bowser told reporters on Wednesday.
“I think our approach to working with the president has been a good one to focus on our shared priorities, which we have,” she said.
Bowser noted that Trump has made threats of a federal takeover for years. When asked if she was concerned about his remarks, she told reporters, “These comments have been made for two years.”