Welcome to meet the press now. I'm Kristen Welker in Washington, where the Trump administration is navigating multiple political headwinds on the Epstein files, the economy, and now a major setback into

the prosecution of one of the president's perceived political enemies after the Justice

Department acknowledged today in court that it did not follow proper protocol when indicting

former FBI director James Comey, a stunning admission. We will have much more on that in just a moment, but we do

begin at the White House, where after months of debate and delay and despite the president's

initial objections, a measure to compel the release of the Epstein files is about to be signed

into law. The bill which passed in near unanimous fashion through Congress gives the Justice Department

30 days to release the files.

Survivors of Epstein's abuse cheering and hugging when the news was announced.

The Senate has passed the bill under unanimous.

The president has pledged to sign the bill, even as he continues to lash for the issue, arguing it's a democratic hoax to distract from his achievements.

The president's handling of the issue has frustrated some notable figures in his fiercely loyal base.

At a moment when some of his allies in Congress are also voicing frustrations with his approach to core economic issues like affordability and jobs.

Today, the president brushing aside criticisms about comments he made favoring highly skilled

foreign workers over American workers for certain jobs.

I love my conservative friends. I love MAGA, but this is MAGA. And those people are going to teach

our people how to make computer chips. And in a short period of time, our people are going to be

doing great. And those people can go home where they probably always want to be.

They're unbelievable patriots, but they just don't understand.

Our people have to be taught.

The president today also dismissing concerns around affordability issues,

which fueled big wins for Democrats in this month's elections.

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