John Bolton

pleads guilty

GREENBELT, Md. (AP) — Former national security adviser John Bolton is pleading guilty to illegally retaining classified information. Bolton pleaded guilty to a single count of illegally retaining classified information.

His plea deal with federal prosecutors could help him avoid prison time. Bolton, a critic of President Donald Trump, faced 18 counts related to classified information, including sharing notes with relatives while writing a memoir.

The investigation began before Trump’s second term. Bolton served in Trump’s first administration before being ousted in 2019. His book, “The Room Where it Happened,” was controversial for its portrayal of Trump.

Trump threatens

European tax

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is threatening a 100% tariff on imports from any country that imposes a tax on digital services provided by United States companies.

In a post on social media Friday, Trump took aim at European countries that he said are discussing “imminent” implementation of taxes on American companies.

He wrote, “Please let this statement serve to represent that any Country that imposes such a Tax will immediately be met with a 100% TARIFF on any and all Goods sent to the United States of America.”

Leon Black

faces subpoenas

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House Oversight Committee has served subpoenas to a billionaire investor who made payments to Jeffrey Epstein. House lawmakers questioned Leon Black on Friday in a voluntary interview about his Epstein ties, but they say he refused to answer some questions.

Black denied any criminal wrongdoing in his opening statements and claimed he was deceived by Epstein. Black was formerly the chief executive of Apollo Global Management and paid Epstein $158 million from 2012 to 2017 for tax and estate planning services.

Lawmakers told reporters that Black refused to answer questions about non-disclosure agreements. They issued subpoenas for documents and for Black to testify under oath in July.