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Deutschmeister's avatar

“After what they did to me, whether it’s right or wrong, it’s time to go after people. Obama’s been caught directly,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. Obama, Trump said, had “tried to steal the election” from him in 2016. “Look, he’s guilty. It’s not a question. . . . This was treason, this was every word you can think of.”¹

No. This is embarrassingly wrong -- no small achievement from this small-minded grossly immature man with such an expansive track record of extreme distortions of the truth. The easiest response to this reckless charge is also the most obvious one: January 6, 2021. That is what treason looks like. And he wears it well.

Also Common Sense 101: the more the current chief executive tries to spin and deflect away from Epstein, with any tactic he possibly can think of, the more he telegraphs the clear message that he has something big to hide and will go to any length to keep it under wraps. Nobody tries this hard to distance himself from something unless he feels that it is an imminent danger to him and his standing. What is it? Keep asking. Keep pushing for answers. Keep digging for the truth. The taxpayers have a right to know exactly what kind of person they are employing to do the people's business, and why each day a little more the people's business is becoming less important to him than it is to take care of his own business.

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Robert Jaffee's avatar

Nobody tries this hard to distance himself from something unless he feels that it is an imminent danger to him and his standing. What is it? Keep asking.

Great comment and excellent post! Just remember, regardless of Trump’s guilt, which is clear as day, Trump comes from the Roy Cohn School of Communication: deny, deflect, and project!

And in this case, Trump never ceases to disappoint!…:)

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Oldandintheway's avatar

Andrew wrote “Simply because Trump, in his megalomania, can conceive of no difference between the interests of the nation and his own personal interests.”

What kind of a person thinks like that? A pedophile. It is becoming more apparent that Trump and Epstein shared too many good times together, and they were enjoying some disgusting and reprehensible acts.

Trump is a pedophile! Pedophiles are cunning, manipulative people who don’t mind destroying anyone or anything in order to get their needs met. They are overwhelmed by their desires and needs. They will lie, cheat, and even kill people to keep from getting caught.

This is not new to the MAGA folks. They are OK with depravity. But what they are not Ok with is the cover-up. If Trump would have pulled a Jimmy Swaggart, and begged for forgiveness for his youthful sins he would have been forgiven. Trump could never dot that. But a cover-up is something that lets “elites” get away with things real people get punished for. Trump is either covering for his rich friends, or for himself.

This is an issue that can pierce the MAGA bubble. They have been screaming about sex traffickers for years, seeing them in border crossings and hidden in the Democratic Party. They know that Pam Bondi has a list, and that she is the prosecutor who let Epstein off easy. Why???

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Alondra's avatar

To be overwhelmed by one's own desires and needs so as to deny the personhood of another human is my definition of evil. T is an evil man; our country is literally in the hands of evil.

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Oldandintheway's avatar

Pedophiles are seen as the most vile of criminals. They destroy the lives of their young victims for six minutes of their personal pleasures. Evil? Yes.

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Roger Millnitz's avatar

“Trump is a pedophile”. Yes, and a narcissist and a pathological liar. AND a big time golf cheat! The only thing worse is how many Americans still worship him, and otherwise reasonable republicans who, when discussing politics, a fool’s errand for sure, do the “yes, but what about” spin. Makes me crazy!

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Julie's avatar

Me, too.

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ButWhatDoIKnow's avatar

He also famously didn't pay, or underpaid, his subcontractors after they finished the work. And he bragged about it.

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Roger Millnitz's avatar

Absolutely! He cheats on & off the course. Bob, who follows, wants documentation. Documentation is everywhere! Golf reflects your character, or lack thereof. He stiffed, and put contractors out of business everywhere, even on his failed casinos! Who else has lost millions in a casino…..among casino owners? That’s documented too, Bob!

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Bob From Arizona's avatar

Lincoln's standard for honesty must hold here. Unless and until we have clear and convincing evidence that proves an accusation, we should not make it. According to Lincoln to make an accusation, particularly one of extreme moral corruption and depravity, in the absence of the evidence needed to prove it, is ethically equivalent to lying - even if, said Lincoln, the accusation later turns out to be true. It would be much worse if many of us repeated such an accusation and the needed evidence for it is never found within the entirety of the Epstein files. This is not "if they go low, we go high" nonsense. No, we are in a war for the survival of our republic. This is not to say that we should not clamor loudly for the files. We should. Trump spews out absurd accusations on a daily basis. Let us not allow him to lead us to do the same. And, if we all run out on to the field and then can find no proof, he can play the victim and we shall be painted as the villains.

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ButWhatDoIKnow's avatar

The Don himself bragging about going into women's dressing rooms at the beauty pageants he owned.

Is a confession enough for you and Abe?

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rlritt's avatar

That's why he picks young girls who are traditionally considered small and helpless. That's why he boasted (on TV!) that when he owned in the Miss Teen Pagent, he would sit in the dressing room and watch the teen girls undress. He laughed because they couldn't say anything because he owned the pagent. The fact that these girls were powerless to stop him from humiliating them was probably more of a turn on then the naked girls themselves. He is a true sociopath.

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Mickey Marshall's avatar

Trump is a pedophile! Absolutely agree with that statement. The evidence of his life not only makes it possible but also makes it highly probable.

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RAB's avatar

And a sadist. And a business man. There is no way way he passed up the chance to turn a profit while sharing those wonderful secrets

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Duane Pierson's avatar

Serious damage will be done to Trump and his cult if enuf MAGA start seeing the light abt Epstein and the powerful, including Trump. Polls indicate there is some movement in that direction. So, Dems & responsible media beed to keep hammering Trump abt Epstein.

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Julie's avatar

Agreed. It's getting them to come forward publicly that's tricky.

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Terry Mc Kenna's avatar

Sadly the right wind echo chamber amplifies the lying. So Fox has Tulsi Gabbard on to repeat the lies. The average voter needs help with issues like this, but they get none. The MSM do print the full story but they are no longer trusted by those who have been programmed to complain about fake news all the time.

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MAP's avatar

And the MSM bends over backwards and twists like a pretzel to give Trump the benefit of the doubt, which they do not do for Dem leaders.

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Sumi Ink 🇨🇦's avatar

They're so terrified of being accused of "Trump Derangement Syndrome" that they sanewash insane behavior that would instantly torpedo the career of any other politician.

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Dave Yell's avatar

To the media: Investigate and keep this story alive. I know Julie Brown and Tara Palmeri will.

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Roger Millnitz's avatar

I always appreciate your comments. Keep ‘em coming!

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Mike Lew's avatar

I guess that's the difference between MAGA and me. If Trump, Obama, and Clinton are all legitimately in the Epstein files, I want the book thrown at them all.

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Jennifer's avatar

And not one Dem has stated anything different. Ever.

The idea that Dems don't want this out due to someone on "their side" might be in it is a lie.

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max skinner's avatar

I think there's a difference between saying "we don't want further investigation into Epstein because it will prove embarrassing to Clinton or whoever" and keeping their heads down about it, saying nothing, because they've had to deal with Clinton's sexual peccadilloes over the years and are tired of it. The latter might be true even as the former definitely is.

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bitchybitchybitchy's avatar

Let's see: Bill Clinton has been out of office since January 20, 2001. Bill's sexual pecadilloes are very old news.

How much sway either Clinton has in Democratic circles is hard to say.

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max skinner's avatar

I think it's more that Clinton is supposedly the symbol of the Democratic Party's degeneracy. It's part of the culture war in which Democrats are the permissive, louche Party in which sexual depravity is ok in the name of tolerance and freedom.

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Jennifer's avatar

Clinton is really not the symbol of anything,

He committed adultery. Often.

Now let's look at trump's history......

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Jennifer's avatar

Bill Clinton cheated on his one wife often.

donald trump cheated on all three of his wives.

The right have no problem with defending trump at every opportunity and with every single new revelation that comes to light.

For some stupid reason Dems feel the constant need to trash Clinton (and Biden for being old) as a means to make themself look good.

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David Court's avatar

Emphasis on "legitimately". I trust the Felon and his Cronies as far as I can throw the Resolute Desk. They have had that file for months with no oversight by anyone not part of the team.

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drosophilist's avatar

An underrated and disturbing point.

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drosophilist's avatar

Yes!

Democrats are not a cult of personality. We consider Obama an inspiring leader, not an infallible god king.

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Suz Stiles's avatar

^THIS!

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Marla's avatar

The only outcome I'm hoping for is that it weakens Trump and MAGA. As far as who might be in it - well, it's horrendous that ANYone is in it. Let the chips fall where they may.

My concern is that whatever is released will have been doctored somehow.

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Roger Millnitz's avatar

It’d be hard to blame Biden for the pedophilia!

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Katherine B Barz's avatar

I’m sure that has been considered, but dropped as a bridge too far. They could always revisit the idea.

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David Court's avatar

Blame Hunter ... or his laptop. Those were winning arguments ... NOT!

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Katherine B Barz's avatar

I think at some juncture Biden’s dog is going to be blamed.

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OJVV's avatar

*sigh*

Missing this joke is the price I pay for putting work above my Bulwark comments.

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Stephen's avatar

Yes. Time to show that at least one party is willing to acknowledge and reform bad behavior.

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bitchybitchybitchy's avatar

The Democrats have acknowledged bad behavior in the past-Al Franken was thrown under the bus.

The abuse of underage girls is thr most serious aspect of the Epstein scandal.

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rlritt's avatar

Yes. I never heard of Obama being involved, but Clinton yes. In fact Clinton should come forward if he was. He's old and rich. What can they really do to him. The statue of limitations may be up. Does he care that much about what people think of him?

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Mike Lew's avatar

See below. I don't think Obama was involved in anything compromising. I was just outlining the parameters of how far justice should go.

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Cyndi's avatar

To MAGA it only can be those demon Democrats in the list because Republicans are angels. They are largely unable to see through any other lens.

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Chuck Aurora's avatar

If Clinton is incriminated in Epstein evidence, I would be sad, but not surprised. But not thinking in any way that he should be shielded from consequences. Basically the same as I felt when I found out Bill Cosby was such a bastard.

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bitchybitchybitchy's avatar

Why do you think that Obama is in the

Epstein files?

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Mike Lew's avatar

I don't. However, if he were, he deserves the full weight of the law. I was just outlining parameters.

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bitchybitchybitchy's avatar

, thanks, got it.

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Frau Katze's avatar

Have you heard the bizarre idea that Michelle Obama is actually a man? So is President Macron’s wife. Floating around in the fringes of MAGA. 🙄

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Roger Millnitz's avatar

Insanity. Right wing wackadoodles always hated Michelle. The audacity she had to be a beautiful & highly intelligent African American woman. Horrors!!!

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Frau Katze's avatar

It’s bizarre even by their low standards.

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Stephen's avatar

Amazing how both women managed to have children then isn’t it !

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Frau Katze's avatar

See from TODAY: “French president Macron sues influencer Candace Owens over claim France’s first lady was born male”

https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/article/french-president-macron-sues-influencer-candace-owens-over-claim-frances-first-lady-was-born-male/

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Stephen's avatar

Good for them. Maybe the Obamas should follow suit. Bankruptcy is a good way to shut idiots down.

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Frau Katze's avatar

Right! Where do they get these bizarre ideas?

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Linda Odell's avatar

I presume the answer to that is some form of surrogacy, or that drinking the blood of children gives men the reproductive capacity of women... or some other cockamamie story that makes as much sense (which is to say none) as everything else they put forth with such confidence.

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Frau Katze's avatar

The guy I was arguing with insisted the Obama kids were adopted. The Macrons don’t have children (but she has some from a previous marriage), These people are irrational.

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Stephen's avatar

Pretzel Logic. With thanks to Steely Dan !

I think you are kind to just call them irrational.

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Robert Jaffee's avatar

“To which you will recall the Supreme Court responded: Sir, you’re making some great points. The immunity doctrine the Court handed down last year protected presidents from post-term criminal prosecution for most “official acts.””

And therein lies the rub! If we were only dealing with one petulant narcissistic toddler throwing a tantrum, then we’re wouldn’t be experiencing any of this nonsense, yet here we are!

Furthermore, no one could have foresaw such a corrupt and partisan bunch of hacks serving on the highest court in the land, where laws don’t apply to them.

Additionally, can anyone say “Winnebago,” $13 million in commissions for the wife of the Chief Justice for recruiting lawyers to firms with business before SCOTUS, or million dollar vacations donated by billionaires with business before the court? Or how they’re ruling on procedural issues to allow a mad man to continue to lay waste to all of our venerated institutions without ever ruling on the constitutionality of the issues?

Bottom line, we’re dealing with an entire system that is being rigged to turn this nation into a theocratic authoritarian kakistocracy.

Therefore, I’m waiting for someone to explain to me how we rid ourselves of corruption, when the corruption is coming from inside the house? Just asking for a friend!…:)

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Alondra's avatar

My children might have at one time been narcissistic toddlers throwing tantrums. T is far, far worse than that. He is an evil man who knew his pal was raping girl children and found it amusing and titillating. Otherwise agree with your comment.

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Robert Jaffee's avatar

Fair enough, and I 100% agree..:)

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rlritt's avatar

He is a total fat, old man baby. He has been spoiled his entire life, gotten everything his heart desired and everyone has let him get away with it. I would like nothing better then seeing him convicted.

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steve robertshaw's avatar

"Theocratic authoritarian kakistocracy". Quite a mouthful, but I think it covers it

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JF's avatar

Add “oligarchy” and/or “plutocracy”.

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Stephen's avatar

I would include kleptocratic, which makes them very TAKKy people indeed.

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Jilll's avatar

Paul Rosenzweig has an excellent piece in The Atlantic today, What a Democrat Could Do With Trump’s Power, America is entering an age of retributive governing cycles. discussing the true tragedy that has befallen our country, even if the Dems get back in office.

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Robert Jaffee's avatar

Thank you, I subscribe to the Atlantic and look forward to reading it.

My biggest fear is how we get all of Trump’s corrupt loyalists out of power. By 2028, he will own the DOJ, FBI, Federal Judiciary, and every other agency, and they will do everything to in their power to obstruct any democratic initiatives.

And if the new president tries to fire them all, then that will create an additional host of issues for this nation moving forward.

Bottom line, we’re caught between a rock and a hard place; and that’s only if Trump hasn’t rigged the system, making it impossible for any democrats to persevere in 28. IMHO..:)

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Jilll's avatar

Two must have subscriptions are The Bulwark+ and The Atlantic.

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Robert Jaffee's avatar

You’ll get no argument from me..:)

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Dave's avatar
Jul 23Edited

2 of the 3 I am willing to pay for. The third is a personal rabbit hole for me. It's Seth Abramson's work. He was surprisingly accurate on his J6 "investigation" immediately after J6 while things were still coming to light and so I keep an eye on his reporting

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Frau Katze's avatar

Agree.

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Dave Yell's avatar

+ To The Contrary

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Jilll's avatar

I'll have to check that one out. Thank you.

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Dave Yell's avatar

It is Charlie Sykes + his dogs. It doesn't get better than that!

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ktb8402799's avatar

Forget obstruction, they will do everything in their power to rig the election and ensure no Democrat ever wins the presidency again. Everyone needs to be prepared for the same basic playbook from 2020, but with the compliant support of the AG, FBI and CIA directors, DNI, and Vice President. None of which Trump had in 2020, and all of which are now occupied staunch Trump loyalists who supported his 2020 coup attempt. Get ready because its coming.

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Robert Jaffee's avatar

I agree wholeheartedly. We’re already seeing the voter suppression and redistricting taking place for 26. It’s truly depressing…:)

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Katherine B Barz's avatar

One way to fight back is to donate to those groups fighting in the courts. ACLU has a great track record.

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Cyndi's avatar

As does CREW.

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ktb8402799's avatar

They are simply going to say that any result they lose is illegitimate because of illegal alien voting and fraud and that the vote from states that have not complied with Trump's illegal election EOs cannot be trusted and shouldn't count. They aren't subtle about their intentions, as anyone and everyone in a position to do anything in opposition continues to sit on their thumbs if not outright enable it all.

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Janet Wilson's avatar

Much depends on the midterms. You do not have until 2028 to reverse this mad rush to dictatorship.

The mess, once adults are back in the room, is fixable. It will take time, and a painfully public process, but it can be fixed. Beginning with enacting high quality campaign finance laws and reforming the Supreme Court.

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Robert Jaffee's avatar

True, but you’re assuming we can enact laws. Even with a blowout in 26, and that’s a big “if”, considering the MAGat’s are already trying to rig the election with redistricting and more voter suppression.

And you need to consider that Trump has a legal war chest and with use it (white shoe law firms doing pro bono work for him). Let’s not forget, a challenge to a NC state Supreme Court Justice cost democrats over a million to defend, and six months before she could be seated. And she won by over 60 thousand votes.

Imagine them contesting 10-20 congressional seats, refusing to seat those congressmen and women for months; denying Jeffries the Speakership should Democrats prevail.

This is what we are looking at going forward!…:)

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ktb8402799's avatar

That NC State Supreme court seat fiasco was a trial run if I've ever seen one... They are going to do the same thing in 2026 but nationwide.

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Katherine B Barz's avatar

He doesn’t have to fire them all. As President, he will replace as many as he can like all presidents have done, with one caveat; anyone one who cannot do their job will not be employed. Businesses do this all the time; remove those they do not want. The key is in those the president chooses. Leave the rank and file alone, it’s the higher up’s who have to demonstrate their allegiance to the oath they swear. Not to the President. The Constitution.

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bitchybitchybitchy's avatar

Well, since Trump 2.0 has created a template, a future Democratic president will be justified in cleaning house. Let's stop bringing pillows to a knife fight.

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Catie's avatar

Well that was a depressing article to read. Seems like the only way we fix any of it is to win the trifecta, nuke the filibuster, and fix the corrupted scotus by adding justices. Starting to regret we didn't do that already.

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Jilll's avatar

Depressing but insightful and you are 100% correct. Will the Dems ultimately have the gumption to do all of that if we are back in control of all 3?

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Dave's avatar

The answer: no

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Jilll's avatar

Sadly, I agree.

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JF's avatar

I’m coming around to the belief that the true coup is taking place at SCOTUS, above and beyond the Executive. They want to be the true rulers over us all. “Kings”, one could say. There is no higher power, except an awakened populace. There will be pain.

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Kate Fall's avatar

Oh, our actual ruler is John Roberts. It's more and more apparent every day. He's been behind every authoritarian move.

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Robert Jaffee's avatar

I believe he is a member of Opus Dei, so it makes sense….:)

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Linda Odell's avatar

Well, that is illuminating. Thank you (well, thank you for the gift link, not the raging headache I now have after reading this).

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Jesse's avatar

Is court packing really off the table for a Democrat to run on? Expand the court to 15. Go big! The Rs stole 2 SC seats. There needs to be retribution for that alone, even though I know it's hard. AOC should run on that in 2028 ;-)

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JF's avatar

Democrats are too timid. I have a vague memory of someone asking Biden about expanding the Court, and he dismissed it out of hand. I’d love to see it; running on it is one thing, but doing it would require controlling all the levers of government.

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Katherine B Barz's avatar

If that is true, then there will be war between those who want kingship-SCOTUS and he who wants to be king-Felon Trump.

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JF's avatar

I suspect Trump is too dumb to recognize he is the puppet and not the puppeteer.

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Dave Yell's avatar

Best example: Putin

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Frau Katze's avatar

They’re loyal to Trump and Project 2025.

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Spencer $ Sally Jones's avatar

I’m still waiting to understand how a convicted felon is allowed to hold our nuclear codes.

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Robert Jaffee's avatar

You’ll be waiting for eternity. Honestly, I think Trump actually believes the Nuclear Football is actually a football; which is actually a step up from his understanding of the Nuclear Triad!

That said, I’m still trying to figure out how we elected a guy who in his first term wanted to nuke a hurricane? Yet, here we are!….:)

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Robert Jaffee's avatar

“Only one Republican, Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, voted no. Sen. Susan Collins voted yes but said she will oppose Bove’s confirmation on final passage. Unless two more join her, that won’t be enough to sink him.”

Great news everyone. It turns out we can always count on these two to rein the Republican Party in. How delightful is it that Collins, who was certain both Kavanaugh, Coney Barrett and Gorsuch would honor precedent and never even consider overturning the Dobb’s decision.

That said, while both couldn’t stomach the BBB, they both found Jesus when it came time to decide whether to pass it.

And now, we can all take solace knowing that Collins will refuse to vote for the Bove’s nomination, now that Trump has all the votes needed to pass. Yet, without her vote moving the nomination to the floor, she could have guaranteed Bove’s demise.

So congratulations to Murkowski and Collins, two lions among an endless array of sheep: Well done!

And if this is anyone’s idea of modern leadership, then we all need to get our heads examined! IMHO…:)

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jpg's avatar

These “moderate” GOP senators are worthless. Hopefully the voters of Maine agree.

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Robert Jaffee's avatar

Agreed! I’m going to definitely be making big donations to whoever is Collin’s democratic competitor…:)

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Dave Yell's avatar

Tillis is worse than worthless

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drosophilist's avatar

One correction: Collins actually voted against the Big Butt-ugly Bill. Murkowski voted for it in exchange for some goodies for Alaska, but she made sure we all knew she was very sad about it. /sad trombone

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Robert Jaffee's avatar

True, but that’s the point. When they need her vote, they have it. And when they don’t need her vote, suddenly she grows a conscience…:)

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Katherine B Barz's avatar

But didn’t Collins say Felon Trump learned his lesson? Why hasn’t she learned anything?

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Robert Jaffee's avatar

She learned, but like most in her party, she doesn’t care; it’s all performative art…:)

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Katherine B Barz's avatar

In her last election, many voters preferred Collins because she brought a lot of money back to Maine, and a new Senator from a different party might not be able to do that. Wonder how they feel now about her.

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Kate Fall's avatar

Anyone who believes these 2 women have a shred of conscience between them should contact me about a bridge I have for sale. Of course, the media always believes their fake "I fell for it again" act. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me 50 times ....

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Dave's avatar

Let me finish it for you: "Fool me 50 times... call me MAGA"

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Robert Jaffee's avatar

Thank you Sir, may I have another!…:)

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Spencer $ Sally Jones's avatar

Kate, They are Pol i ti cians.

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rlritt's avatar

I would like nothing better than to see those two lose their seats.

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Michael Gray's avatar

It's a wonder Murkowski and Collins have anything but stumps at the ends of their arms after the endless bouts of hand-wringing.

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Mark P's avatar

It's funny how the GOP calculates exactly how many senators are allowed to vote against Trump in every vote so that Trump always gets his way but they can still argue they aren't a bunch of cultists because "look, Murkowski and Collins voted against him". They're only allowed to vote against him because of the GOP's slim majority.

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Ashley's avatar

The beauty of calling for the release of ALL the files is that we actually mean ALL the files of ALL the people, because unlike MAGA we are not a cult.

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Oldandintheway's avatar

Yes. If there are prominent Democrats on the list that could help all of us who want to get rid of MAGA. The Dems will be able to move away from their old, institutionally bound slow movers and bring in a new generation of honest young progressive firebrands who do don't want to rebuild the old government, they want to build a government for the 21st century, using all the new technologies to create a prosperous and harmonious society

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Spencer $ Sally Jones's avatar

As a fellow oldster I do hope Democrats can prevail in 2026 but I’m not happy about how many total newbies are running. Literally hundreds of begging texts arrive every day from candidates with zero governing experience. It’s like playing Wack-a-Mole. Most of the time you can’t even assess their positions on issues. It’s beyond irritating.

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mary from AU's avatar

I think thats part of the point. Policy issues don't win elections anymore. Charisma and social media savvy and being authentic does.

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Tim Coffey's avatar

I wonder if the 49.8% of the electorate who voted for Trump last November are truly at ease with having supported a man who is very likely a pedophile.

Ha! Of course they are. Better a pedophile than a liberal, right MAGA?

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JF's avatar

We might lose all,our freedoms but rest assured we are safe from playing volley ball against a trans woman, which used to keep me up at night.

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BlueOntario's avatar

Pearl clutching for the win. One would think that, or swimming or track, were America's sport.

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JF's avatar

Speaking of athletic competition; I expect the L.A. Olympics to be canceled, or be a total failure. What athlete or spectator would risk coming to this United States? Many if not most, have a suspicious physical appearance.

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BlueOntario's avatar

I had a chat with some people who were looking at coming to the US for the World Cup, but wondering if it's wise.

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JF's avatar

I wish that would get more press. “Action” meet “consequences”.

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Katherine B Barz's avatar

Funny that it is being held in LA. The USSR pulled out at the last Olympics to be held in LA. Now, it could be a lot more countries.

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JF's avatar

Poor L.A. It’s not their fault that foreign guests might shy away from visiting a country in the throes of totalitarianism based on racism.

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Katherine B Barz's avatar

JF. You say that as if it is a bad thing./s

Actually it is poor us who has to answer for the fool of a president, and the fools around him.

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Katherine B Barz's avatar

It’s MAGA’s favorite pastime!

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MAP's avatar

He was a convicted felon. They had no problem with that. Of course the media helped him so muddy all of the trials and investigations, including 1/6, that polls showed voters threw their hands up and said, "I don't know if it's real or political."

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Frau Katze's avatar

I don’t think Dems realize the vast amount of denial going on in MAGA land.

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MAP's avatar

I don't think most Americans realize just how far off the deep end the GOP and MAGA is. They are getting a taste of it with Doge and the BBB. But we haven't really felt the affects of the tariffs yet, and the same with mass deportations. ICE now has the money and will have the manpower to go everywhere. It's only a matter of time.

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Frau Katze's avatar

It’s not looking good,

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Janet Wilson's avatar

It was not 49.8% of the electorate, it was more like 30%. If the numbers are to be believed, many sat that election out. Which boggles my mind, but until tampering is proven, that appears to be the case.

The 60+% of eligible voters who did NOT vote for Trump/MAGA/Republicans need to get busy right now, stand up, push hard for Democratic candidates and get the midterm strategies on the road.

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Tim Coffey's avatar

49.8% of the people who voted in the last presidential election voted for Donald Trump. Those who sat out are just as complicit as those who pulled the lever for Trump. Both groups have my utter contempt. And most of them will never examine why they made that choice.

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Stephen's avatar

Well, some not insignificant proportion of that 49.8% are of the belief that Democrats are under demonic influence (not making this up). Given the choice between an imperfect criminal and a demon I could understand how they responded, but what we need to understand is how to break enough of them of the underlying belief that only Democrats could be ensnared in evil influence.

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Frau Katze's avatar

They don’t believe the Epstein stuff. It’s just another inconvenient fact to shove under the carpet.

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MAP's avatar

Yes they do. Trump ran on exposing it all. Which is why they are outraged that it isn't happening.

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Frau Katze's avatar

Some of them definitely do and they’re angry. But lots don’t.

There’s spin artists like this. Also check the comments.

https://www.coffeeandcovid.com/p/mars-attacks-monday-july-21-2025

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Don Gates's avatar

The filth Trump is spewing about Obama is truly disgusting and slanderous. And it's dangerous. Obama should sue the motherfucker; if Paula Jones could sue Clinton while he was in Office, Obama can sue Trump. Trump is a tiny, petty, sick, squalid little man next to Obama, and he cannot stand it, and while it is a distraction, he desperately needs to drag a very good man down to his own level in the public eye.

Another reason all the files should be released is that we need to know who might have leverage on our President. No secrets. Secrets are leverage, and while we may never be able to get to the bottom of Putin's secrets on Trump, we can probably get to the bottom of this.

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JF's avatar

The Obama stuff Trump is flinging out feels extremely dangerous to me. I keep having to pinch myself that this is really happening and not a nutty nightmare. I’m trying to think if we’ve seen anything like this, in other countries failing before our eyes.

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ktb8402799's avatar

Trump-Russia, the cover up, and all the lies and slanders Trump continues to tell about it is truly the original sin of Trumpism. So long as Trump and his supporters continue to lie and rewrite the history about what happened, and so long as Republicans continue to enable it all, especially the ones who know better, this country will not recover from the spiral we are in.

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JF's avatar

The machine is stuck on “rinse-repeat” with regard to the Obama/Clinton spin cycle.

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ktb8402799's avatar

This morning they trotted out two more recycled allegations that Devin Nunes made in 2017 in an immediately debunked partisan memo that they are dutifully treating like it’s some new revelation.

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Don Gates's avatar

I'm sure it's not uncommon in failing or unstable states, but it is absolutely unprecedented here, to baselessly accuse your one-time predecessor of treason. Not that Obama is the first against whom Trump has baselessly and recklessly flung that accusation.

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JF's avatar

I guess I was referring to the wackiness of it. It all feels like satire.

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Don Gates's avatar

It definitely is more appropriate for Hollywood than the evening news.

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JF's avatar

And that seems to be the crux of our current dire predicament. Our dull citizens are addicted to entertainment in all spheres of life, now including politics. Especially politics. Boredom will not be tolerated! And that includes policy beyond a fifth grade understanding.

I wonder how they manage their own healthcare. From what I’ve seen during COVID, they even embrace the drama of their own demise. I saw a Facebook post of the final hand-holding between a wife and husband as he took his last breaths. It was a Hallmark moment, apparently.

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Weswolf's avatar

Some of us--not enough, it seems--enjoyed the past four years of boredom. How delightful, not waking up and wondering, "What did he do in the wee hours this time?"

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Dave's avatar

This feels very Hungary-ish

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ktb8402799's avatar

That is the inspirational model they are shooting for.

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JMP's avatar

YES, YES, YES !! Sue Trump, Gabbard, Fox, Hannity and every single other person who repeats this lie. Defamation suits seem to be very successful these days.

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Kate Fall's avatar

Slanderous, dangerous, and approved by our Supreme Court and Congress!

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Justin Lee's avatar

Six weeks is a very long time in today's political environment. It will be hard to keep the Epstein fervor going that long. Hopefully documents like the "bawdy letter" continue to leak out bit by bit. Death by a thousands cuts would probably be more effective than forcing a big file dump.

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JF's avatar

The well established short attention span of the average American suggests you are right.

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Ann Williams's avatar

What’s so delicious is that it is starting to dawn on MAGA that Trump is throwing Obama at them just to distract them from demanding more Epstein. When you’ve lost MTG - who said on Monday that dangling red meat in front of the base isn’t working anymore: they want the whole steak meal and they’re realising Obama and the whole deep state aren’t really going to be arrested or prosecuted - you’re in a bad place.

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Kim Nesvig's avatar

I am sure that Trump, Bondi and Patel are doing everything they can to filter out whatever incriminating evidence before the Epstein files go public. The Wall Street Journal investigation secured the birthday card. That means, of course, that there are sources within the DOJ willing to take considerable risks so that the facts can emerge. Let us hope that there are multiple copies of Epstein materials, and some of those are in the hands of people willing to take further extraordinary risks to expose these materials to the light of day!

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Dave's avatar

Which just makes me grossed out. Think about this; Bondi and Patel are seeing the evidence and they are still hiding it or avoiding the release. My brain can't fathom it. What kind of a person wouldn't see what they see and get completely pissed and want to address justice?

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mary from AU's avatar

This. I hope more evidence surfaces and there are good people doing the right thing. That we will never know. But we need to protect every whistleblower in case they do get found out.

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Mike Lew's avatar

Chuck Schumer being tough? Gimme' a break!

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Kentuckistan's avatar

These kind of campaigns are so common on Fox and in Right Wing Media...the Biden Crime Family, the Durham Report, now the Epstein Files will calve off a bunch of these to distract. For them its a live action game, a journey not a destination. They rise and thrive and then they wind down and end and the next one comes along. It's a perpetual motion, attention and grievance machine.

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Frau Katze's avatar

Tulsi Gabbard’s “revelations” are the lead on Fox today. They don’t ever discuss Epstein.

https://www.foxnews.com/

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JF's avatar

I wonder if it’s possible for Trump’s lackeys to alter the files. I get the sense such an act would leave telltale signs. Tech experts were able to discover that the security videos of Epstein’s prison door here actually missing 3 minutes, not the routine 1 minute. Also, does Elon’s little band of bros have copies in their tranche of purloined material?

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Janet Wilson's avatar

There will be more stashes of the files. Epstein must have left a "deadman's switch", but whomever he trusted it with, they did not act upon his death. Should have left multiples!

Maxwell will have the same and she does strike me as the most clever of the three (herself, Epstein and Donald). She may engineer her pardon, but as long as she is alive, the threat to Donald exists.

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Harley "Griff" Lofton's avatar

Remember how relatively easy it was to debunk Dan Rather's release of fake memos/letters about George W's military service record? The difference now is that once released into the antisocial media universe things have a life of their own.

As much as I dislike Musk I do indeed hope he has a stash of information at his fingertips!

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JF's avatar

Excellent points. I assume if it was easy to alter the files it would have happened already, since apparently they have been examining the files since March and they’re still worried. But as you say, reality is almost irrelevant once the conspiracy has taken root among the cult, with regular watering and fertilizing. And Musk - the enemy of my enemy is my friend?

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Richard Kane's avatar

My flight surgeon served with W in the TX ANG and told me that the info in Rather's report was pretty much true. Rather's problem was his source, not the info itself. He said that W was a good pilot and enjoyed flying. He also told me that W was resigned to his fate of working in the "Family Business" and would do as he's told as opposed to what he wanted to do. It seemed my doc actually felt sad for his friend. That being said, any Epstein sources must past microscopic scrutiny. Facts can be derailed by questionable sources.

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Jilll's avatar

No matter what people in power/celebrity get hurt in the process the files should be released. It's the least we should expect. After all Prince Andrew had to give up his royal duties.

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Frau Katze's avatar

Just now: “Judge Denies Request to Unseal Epstein Grand Jury Transcripts in Florida”

No one thought there would be much in them.

https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/07/23/us/trump-news

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Jilll's avatar

You're right. Anything in them would/could have come from an actual trial or plea deal.

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TAH's avatar

“Tough” - damn straight. If any dem is in the files, too bad. They deserve to be exposed. Every dem I know agrees with this.

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Mike Lew's avatar

I only support being aggressive against the Democrats if the GOP is held to the same standard. I have no interest in letting the GOP skate once again. But guilty Democrats deserve to be held to the same standards.

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Dave's avatar

The Dems should really press this and get the MAGA's all wound up about getting the files released. However, if the Dems main message is to release the files so we can get Trump, then that will turn MAGA's off because they will start spinning it as a witch-hunt. The message of "we don't care who is implicated" is the generic one that won't cause MAGA to second-guess it

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RickRickRick's avatar

A “deal” with Maxwell won’t help Trump, because if it purports to exonerate him in exchange for a commutation or pardon, no one will believe it for a second.

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JF's avatar

You mean, “people with functioning brains won’t believe it for a second”. MAGAs have been more than willing to believe whoppers, like Democrats drinking the blood of stolen babies and re-using their faces.

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RickRickRick's avatar

Sure, they are beyond hope. But they are not the ones who got Trump elected. It was the mushy middle of the electorate who were grumpy about the price of eggs and barely knew what Trump was like.

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JF's avatar

Which brings us back to the question of a truly free and fair election, which feels very much in doubt to me. Convincing voters is just a piece in an election puzzle they are busy manipulating.

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Kim Nesvig's avatar

I wouldn’t be surprised if Maxwell gets something like, oh either a drastically shortened sentence or at least some assurance that she won’t ‘commit suicide’. By now, she probably knows that any assurance she gets aren’t worth a red cent, even though trump has “wished her well”.

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Janet Wilson's avatar

That is true, but it shuts down the scandal pipeline. OTOH Trump will never be safe...Maxwell will have left files with multiple trusted sources.

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E. A. Bare's avatar

It may be a lot simpler than that, she exonerates him she gets to live.

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