ABC World News Tonight with David Muir Full Broadcast - Nov. 19, 2025

Tonight, breaking news as we come on the air, the Jeffrey Epstein bill, President Trump has now signed it. It comes following the near unanimous vote in Congress. Tonight, Republican senators say all of this shouldn't take long. But tonight, our Pierre Thomas asking the U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi if all of the files will be made public and how she answered.

Also tonight, the Justice Department's case against James Comey. What President Trump's hand-picked U.S. attorney, Lindsey Halligan, who has never tried a criminal case, admitted to the judge today. Is this case now in jeopardy? Tonight, the federal terrorism charges, the horrific attack on a commuter train, the suspect seen on surveillance allegedly setting a woman on fire in Chicago. We do have news on her condition tonight. The seating that teenager found dead on a cruise ship a source now says her body was found

under a bed wrapped in a blanket and under a life vest is one of her step siblings under scrutiny. Tonight the U.S. military built a off Venezuela newly released images of U.S. Marines conducting training missions, including live fire exercises our team off Venezuela tonight, what is the of U.S. Marines conducting training missions, including live fire exercises. Our team off Venezuela tonight.

What is the president now planning? The war in Ukraine tonight. Russia launching a brutal new attack on Ukraine, one of the deadliest this year. Ian Pannell standing by amid this new U.S. peace proposal offered to Ukraine. Does it heavily favor Russia? Back in the U.S. tonight, the brazen robbery. Police say the suspect armed with an AR-15 style rifle

in the middle of a busy casino. The interstellar comet getting closer to Earth. Only the third time this has ever happened. The Miss Universe pageant contestant fell on stage, rushed off on a stretcher. We have news on how she's doing tonight.

And a possible new fee at the airport? Well, some passengers going through TSA security at the airport soon have to pay $18. What this proposal is all about.

From ABC News World Headquarters in New York, this is World News Tonight with David Muir.

Good evening. We do begin tonight with David Muir.

Good evening. We do begin tonight with the breaking news. We have just learned the bill demanding the release of the full Jeffrey Epstein files has now been sent to the White House and the president has now signed it. It comes 24 hours after that near unanimous passage in Congress. The question tonight, how long does the Justice Department now have to get the files out now that the president has signed the bill? And tonight here our Pierre Thomas

asking the Attorney General Pam Bondi will all of the files be released and how she answered today making headlines tonight. Pierre Thomas leading us off.

Tonight the bill demanding that the Justice Department release the Epstein files is now law. The president signing it some 24 hours after it was overwhelmingly approved by Congress, something he said he would do.

Sure I would. Let the Senate look at it, let anybody look at it. But don't talk about it too much because honestly, I don't want to take it away from us.

The Justice Department now has 30 days to make the files public. Tonight some Republican senators saying it shouldn't take that long.

This shouldn't be a new issue, so they should be ready to go. I hope they release them immediately.

But even though the issue has been brewing for weeks with pressure mounting, today Attorney General Pam Bondi would not explain how the process will play out and what, if anything, will be released.

We will continue to follow the law with maximum transparency while protecting victims.

I pressed the AG on whether that means the full files will come out. When you say follow the law, Madame Attorney General, do you mean that you will provide all the files by 30 days?

We will follow the law. We will continue to follow the law again while protecting victims, but also providing maximum transparency.

Lawmakers on both sides watching these next steps very closely.

There must be no funny business from Donald Trump. This is not an invitation for Donald Trump to pick and choose his version of the truth.

President Trump didn't need Congress to get the Epstein files out. He could have just ordered Bonnie to do it on his own. Instead, didn't need Congress to get the Epstein files out. He could have just ordered Bonny to do it on his own. Instead, in recent days, he instructed the attorney general to launch a new investigation into Epstein's ties to Democrats.

Critics call that an effort to deflect from the president's own association with Epstein, noting Bonny herself had closed the books on the Epstein case earlier this year. At the time, she said the department had not uncovered evidence that could lead them to investigate anyone else. Today, I asked her what had changed. What changed since then that you launched this investigation?

Information that has come forth, information. There's information, new information, additional information.

The attorney general would not say what the new information was. So David, we don't know if the new investigations will lead to a delay in the release of the Epstein files. Critics warned it could be an effort to stall. But those victims who we saw on Capitol Hill who were there to witness Congress act are demanding justice and total transparency.

David.

Peter Thomas leading us off here tonight. Peter, thank you. Tonight is the Justice Department's case against James Comey in jeopardy. This evening, President Trump's handpicked U.S. attorney, Lindsey Halligan, who has never tried a criminal case before, and what she acknowledged to the judge today. It shocked many in the courtroom.

James Comey and his family in court began whispering. And the question now, where does this case go from here? Here's our chief investigative correspondent, Aaron Katursky.

Tonight, the criminal case against former FBI director James Comey is in serious doubt after a stunning admission in court by President Trump's handpicked prosecutor. Lindsey Halligan has never tried a criminal case. Today, the judge put her on the spot,

and she admitted she did not show the full grand jury the final version of the indictment before the four persons signed it. The disclosure shocked the courtroom into silence. Comey and his family began whispering, and his attorney called for the case to be thrown out.

Trump installed Halligan after he forced out her predecessor, who determined there was not enough evidence to charge Comey. Sources told ABC News career prosecutors documented the conclusion in a memo. Today, when the judge asked about that memo, Halligan's partner said Deputy Attorney General

Todd Blanch ordered him not to discuss it.

I stand by what the testimony you summarized.

Comey has pleaded not guilty to charges he misled the Senate Judiciary Committee when he denied authorizing leaks to the press.

I have great confidence in the federal judicial system, and I'm innocent. So let's have a trial.

Comey was indicted days after President Trump publicly urged his attorney general to pursue charges against his political enemies, demanding justice must be served now. Comey's attorneys seizing on that post in court, arguing the case is vindictive. It is effectively an admission that this is a political prosecution.

But today, prosecutors insisted Halligan brought the case on her own, telling the judge Ms. Halligan was not a puppet. The judge is now weighing the actions of this prosecutor, David, who lacks criminal experience and who acknowledged she never showed the full grand jury the final copy of the indictment. There are more written arguments to come, but tonight, David, the case against James Comey seems to be hanging by a thread.

David? Our chief investigative correspondent, Aaron Kuterskiy, tonight. Aaron, thank you. This evening, federal terrorism charges after a horrific attack on a commuter train in Chicago. Prosecutors say the suspect seen on surveillance allegedly setting a woman on fire. Tonight here, we do have news on her condition

and here's ABC's Rhiannon Alley.

Tonight, the man seen in these surveillance images allegedly setting a woman on fire on a Chicago commuter train is facing federal terrorism charges.

A 26-year-old woman was deliberately set on fire by Lawrence Reed in an unprovoked attack.

According to a criminal complaint and train surveillance, on the night of November 17th, 50 year old Lawrence Reed, holding a small bottle, approaches the woman from behind where he took the cap off the bottle and poured a liquid from the bottle all over the victim's head and body. Prosecutors say he lit the bottle and used it liquid from the bottle all over the victim's head and body. Prosecutors say he lit the

bottle and used it to light her on fire when the train stopped

in the victim was able to muster the strength to stumble on the platform. 2 good Samaritans put out the flames.

Reid was captured about 12 hours later surveillance images from a gas station allegedly show read filling a bottle with gasoline before the attack. David Reed faces life if convicted that writer still has critical injuries. Prosecutors are now asking for prayers.

David Rhiannon alley reporting tonight ran and thank you now the case of the 18 year-old girl found dead on board a carnival cruise ship sailing from Miami to the Caribbean tonight. A source now says her body was discovered under a bed wrapped in a blanket and under life vests and the court filing that suggests one of her step siblings could be under scrutiny. Here's Victor Akindo

tonight, chilling new details in the mysterious death of the 18 year old teen whose body was found aboard the carnival horizon cruise ship. A security source briefed on the investigation tells ABC News Central Florida cheerleader Anna Kepner was discovered under a bed wrapped in a blanket and covered by life vests. The cause of death not yet released Kepner stepmother

now calling her child a suspect in the teen's death. According to a new filing in an unrelated family court dispute saying it is true there is an open investigation regarding the death. Tonight, that security source identifying the child as a stepbrother. Kepner was on the Caribbean cruise with her father, stepmother and two younger step siblings earlier this month. The grisly discovery made before the boat re-docked in Miami.

Investigators now poring over the ship's security records, camera footage and access cards. Tonight the FBI declining to comment. David, investigators are waiting for the full toxicology and autopsy reports. Both could take weeks. Carnival Cruise Line says they are fully cooperating with the Miami office of the FBI in the investigation.

David?

All right, Victor Akendo reporting from Miami tonight. Victor, thanks. We move on now to the U. S. Military build off off Venezuela tonight here. Newly released images of U. S. Marines conducting training missions, including live fire exercises. What is the president now planning and ABC's Matt

Rivers off Venezuela for us again tonight? New images tonight showing U. S. Marines training here in Trinidad and Tobago. Multiple Osprey aircraft carrying out joint exercises with the local military as the US ramps up pressure on Venezuela.

For weeks, Marines from the same unit conducting live fire training operations across the Caribbean. Harrier fighter jets bombing targets. It comes as the New York Times reports President Trump signed off on additional covert CIA operations inside Venezuela that could lay the groundwork for a bigger military campaign, citing multiple people

briefed on the matter. The president saying this week he is not ruling out putting U.S. troops on the ground in Venezuela.

I don't rule out anything. We just troops on the ground in Venezuela.

The Times also reporting Trump authorized a new round of back-channel negotiations with Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro, who reportedly offered to step down after a few years, but the White House rejected that plan. David, as far as the endgame here, many experts say, sure, it can be about stopping drugs in this part of the world, but it's also very likely about more than that.

It's very likely about forcing President Maduro from power one way or another. David?

Matt Rivers off Venezuela again tonight for us, Matt, thank you. Now to the war in Ukraine. Tonight, Russia has launched a brutal new attack on Ukraine, one of the deadliest this year. And it all comes as a new US peace proposal has been presented to Ukraine. Some say this proposal heavily favors Russia. Our chief foreign correspondent, Ian Pannel, with the images coming in tonight.

Ian.

Yeah, David, this was one of the deadliest attacks this year. This residential apartment block in the west of the country taking a direct hit, killing at least 25 people, including three children, dozens wounded. Incredibly, one man pulled out alive after hours trapped beneath the rubble. And amidst the bombardments, senior U.S. military officials now in Kiev to try

to restart peace talks. A U.S. plan presented to Ukraine includes reducing its military, Russia keeping all the land it has taken, and a demilitarized zone. But honestly, this largely reflects Russia's position, not Ukraine's, and it seems unlikely to go any way towards fulfilling Donald Trump's promise of ending this war quickly. David?

All right, Ian Pannel with us here tonight as well. Ian, thanks. Tonight, former Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding facing new charges in the federal drug trafficking case against him. The Justice Department now accusing him of ordering the killing of a witness set to testify against him. The Canadian athlete allegedly running an organization distributing massive amounts of cocaine in Canada and in the U.S. He is currently on the FBI's 10 most wanted fugitives list.

Tonight to the economy and we have learned that a rare move the federal government cancelling the monthly jobs report for October. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says there is not enough data to calculate the unemployment rate because of the record-long 43-day government shutdown. The November report will be delayed. They say it will include partial data from October. Those reports of course critical in analyzing the U.S. economy and determining federal interest rates. When we come back tonight, the desperate search for a missing college professor last seen

on an island in the Northeast, the urgent manhunt in Las Vegas, the brazen robbery police say the suspect armed with an AR-15 style rifle, right in the middle of a busy casino. And a possible new fee at the airport,

while some passengers going through TSA security at the airport soon have to pay $18. What this proposal is all about in the images tonight than this universe pageant contestant who fell on stage rushed off on a stretcher more in a moment here tonight, the brazen robbery in Las Vegas authorities releasing surveillance

images they say show a suspect pulling out an AR 15 style rifle and demanding money from a casino cashier at the Rampart Casino. The suspect leaving with an undisclosed amount of cash. Tonight, an urgent search for a college professor last seen on Peaks Island in Southern Maine. Wiley Davey is a professor

at Bentley College in Massachusetts. Authorities are now using search dogs combing trails and wooded areas. Residents have been told to stay off the trails while this search is underway. Tonight, the TSA is now proposing a new rule to charge passengers who don't have a real ID or a passport. Those passengers would pay 18 dollars and have their identity verified at special kiosks.

The verification would be good for 10 days. It's not clear when the new rule would go into effect. Cleveland Browns quarterback Shadur Sanders, Deion Sanders' son, now saying he's okay following the break in at his home. People have been texting me. Are you okay? Yes, I'm fine. I didn't get robbed. My house did. Police say thieves stealing about $200,000 in items on sunday while he was playing the browns saying Sanders will start this weekend. When we come back here

tonight, the botulism outbreak growing involving infants, 31 cases now in 15 states. What you need to know about this and the Miss Universe pageant contestant who fell on stage. He was rushed off on a stretcher. The image is here in a moment. To the index of other news tonight, the botulism outbreak that may be linked to a popular baby formula that's been recalled is now growing tonight. At least 31 cases now in 15 states, all of the infants had consumed by heart whole nutrition baby formula. According to the FDA tonight it has received report that some of this

recalled product is still on store shelves so we have much more on our website for you if you're concerned. A Miss Universe pageant contestant was rushed to the hospital after falling off the stage. Miss Jamaica Gabrie Gabrielle Henry, missing a step right there during the evening gown competition in Thailand. Pageant organizers say she didn't break any bones and is expected to recover. Of course, that is good news tonight. Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker was welcomed by Pope Leo, of course, a proud Chicago native at the Vatican.

Pritzker presenting the pulp with an invitation to visit his hometown and a four pack of beer from Chicago he labeled the Pope. Pope Leo telling the governor we will put that in the fridge tonight. NASA unveiling new images of an interstellar comet passing through our solar system. It's called three I Atlas. It will pass within 170 million miles of Earth next month. It's only the third confirmed object from outside our solar system and you can see it from earth in the pre dawn sky. But you will need a telescope fascinating tonight when we come back here. America strong, the

Children from New Jersey and what they did for a beloved rescue dog. You have to see this funny tonight here. The rescue dog who is deaf and the school Children determined to find a way to communicate with him, their teacher with a lesson won't forget America strong. Tonight at doctor William many's elementary school in

Vineland, New Jersey west of Atlantic City. The remarkable lesson for the students from their teacher and his rescue

dog.

A few years back their music teacher Mister Chris Hannah adopting Cole from a shelter, a pit bull mix who was born deaf. At the time Mister Hannah thinking of his own nephew Kevin who is also deaf. Kevin and that dog playing together bonding. Mister Hannah began bringing coal to school in hopes of

teaching his young students about being different the dog who was deaf how to still connect with him and the importance of acceptance Cole on the school bus at school assemblies in the classroom, Mister Hannah using sign language to communicate with his dog. So for Cole's birthday, Mister Hannah teaching a valuable new

lesson. Call with his birthday crown turning nine now the assembly in the school auditorium, the students about to sing happy birthday. But watch. They are signing the song as well as singing it.

To you. Yeah. Happy birthday dear Cole. Happy birthday to you.

And right here tonight, Hi David. Mr. Hannah and Cole. And just watch as Mr. Hannah signs to his dog to talk.

Talk to daddy.

Thank you. Good night.

Thank you.

Thank you. Good night. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you.

Beautiful boy. Thank you.

Tonight, Mr. Hannah had his message.

He really does an incredible job teaching our students about how to be different, be who they truly are, and that a disability is not an inability.

Happy birthday to you.

Happy birthday, Cole, and what a lesson. I'll see you tomorrow. I'll see you tomorrow.

Good night.