The House voted to force the Justice Department to release files on the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, an effort that overcame opposition from President Donald Trump.
From a historian’s perspective, she seems to think that Trump’s sudden reversal after fighting tooth and nail to avoid this release is because he realizes he’s lost control of the House republicans on this issue as their voters are also frothing at the mouth to get these files released. And, that if he’s so afraid of what’s in the FBI’s complete set after the horror of what has already been released, what the hell is actually in there? She also seems to think that if the bill gets to his desk, he’ll all but have to release them, but personally I don’t see him ever caving to that. He could release them by executive order today if he actually wanted the files released.
Here’s my take: I find it pretty incredible that people don’t seem to understand the depths of Trumps depravity when he extorted our allies, sicked a hillbilly mob on the capital, used The Office of the President to hawk merch, and openly mocked American democracy, but grooming underage girls is where we all collectively draw the line. The mountains of evidence of his extreme criminality, his appointment of white and Christian nationalists, and his alliances with America’s sworn enemies melting down our government? Water off a duck’s back apparently.
I’m all for whatever it takes to dismantle the Trump regime, but I seriously doubt undoctored evidence ever sees the light of day. And if it does, he will be dead long before he ever sees justice for it. But, if it FINALLY sours voters enough to not vote for him in the next election, I’ll take it.
From a historian’s perspective, she seems to think that Trump’s sudden reversal after fighting tooth and nail to avoid this release is because he realizes he’s lost control of the House republicans on this issue as their voters are also frothing at the mouth to get these files released. And, that if he’s so afraid of what’s in the FBI’s complete set after the horror of what has already been released, what the hell is actually in there? She also seems to think that if the bill gets to his desk, he’ll all but have to release them, but personally I don’t see him ever caving to that. He could release them by executive order today if he actually wanted the files released.
Man, that’s a whole lot of words for "they’re going to heavily edit the files to only show Democratic party member names and use them as a political weapon.
While I don’t doubt that, one of the things that Richardson’s coverage does is ground my heavy pessimism: Despite Trump’s corruption, his fascist network still must operate within the bounds of the American government and voting public’s opinion, just like the early Nazi party and other elected fascist movements.
The trove of evidence is hopefully still protected by standards of federal record keeping that can reveal tampering and based on what has already been released, the regime’s ability to control that evidence seems lacking. They will no doubt play up the parts that look bad for the opposition, but if there’s a big photo of Donald J. Trump blowing Bill Fucking Clinton with the travel and financial records to put them in the same place for a weekend, how are they gonna redact that?
And from all accounts, it’s sounding like whatever is in there is Chernobyl level heat.
his fascist network still must operate within the bounds of the American government and voting public’s opinion, just like the early Nazi party and other elected fascist movements.
It didn’t stop the Nazis. He’s to a different outcome this time.
but grooming underage girls is where we all collectively draw the line.
No doubt all the other things you mentioned would make any rational, remotely ethical person turn against Trump. But this is worse than all of them. It’s almost impossible to defend or wish away. Virtually EVERYONE agrees these crimes are heinous and deserve thorough prosecution.
he will be dead long before he ever sees justice for it.
As much as I would like to see that, the ship sailed when we reelected him. If Harris had won, his other trials would’ve continued. He was obviously guilty in the documents case. Now he’ll probably die in office or shortly after leaving.
At this point, I’ll settle for him resigning (impossible, I know) or being impeached.
I highly recommend Heather Cox Richardson’s near-daily coverage of current politics, and The Files.
From a historian’s perspective, she seems to think that Trump’s sudden reversal after fighting tooth and nail to avoid this release is because he realizes he’s lost control of the House republicans on this issue as their voters are also frothing at the mouth to get these files released. And, that if he’s so afraid of what’s in the FBI’s complete set after the horror of what has already been released, what the hell is actually in there? She also seems to think that if the bill gets to his desk, he’ll all but have to release them, but personally I don’t see him ever caving to that. He could release them by executive order today if he actually wanted the files released.
Here’s my take: I find it pretty incredible that people don’t seem to understand the depths of Trumps depravity when he extorted our allies, sicked a hillbilly mob on the capital, used The Office of the President to hawk merch, and openly mocked American democracy, but grooming underage girls is where we all collectively draw the line. The mountains of evidence of his extreme criminality, his appointment of white and Christian nationalists, and his alliances with America’s sworn enemies melting down our government? Water off a duck’s back apparently.
I’m all for whatever it takes to dismantle the Trump regime, but I seriously doubt undoctored evidence ever sees the light of day. And if it does, he will be dead long before he ever sees justice for it. But, if it FINALLY sours voters enough to not vote for him in the next election, I’ll take it.
Man, that’s a whole lot of words for "they’re going to heavily edit the files to only show Democratic party member names and use them as a political weapon.
That’s because it says more than just that.
While I don’t doubt that, one of the things that Richardson’s coverage does is ground my heavy pessimism: Despite Trump’s corruption, his fascist network still must operate within the bounds of the American government and voting public’s opinion, just like the early Nazi party and other elected fascist movements.
The trove of evidence is hopefully still protected by standards of federal record keeping that can reveal tampering and based on what has already been released, the regime’s ability to control that evidence seems lacking. They will no doubt play up the parts that look bad for the opposition, but if there’s a big photo of Donald J. Trump blowing Bill Fucking Clinton with the travel and financial records to put them in the same place for a weekend, how are they gonna redact that?
And from all accounts, it’s sounding like whatever is in there is Chernobyl level heat.
It didn’t stop the Nazis. He’s to a different outcome this time.
No doubt all the other things you mentioned would make any rational, remotely ethical person turn against Trump. But this is worse than all of them. It’s almost impossible to defend or wish away. Virtually EVERYONE agrees these crimes are heinous and deserve thorough prosecution.
As much as I would like to see that, the ship sailed when we reelected him. If Harris had won, his other trials would’ve continued. He was obviously guilty in the documents case. Now he’ll probably die in office or shortly after leaving.
At this point, I’ll settle for him resigning (impossible, I know) or being impeached.