If it weren't at the highest levels of our government, it would be fun to watch Blondi, Bove, Blanche, and Trump bobbing and weaving so dramatically. But, even as we speak, I'd bet that Blanche is cutting a deal with Ghislaine Maxwell to seal her lips. Period. Congress will never hear from her. She can't recall anything. We'll never know what she knows. And Chuck Grassley, Gym Jordan, James Comer, Mike Johnson, and JD Vance will all be just fine whistling past the Constitution's graveyard.
Gym is to be deposed over what he didn't see as wrestling coach. Blanche had no authority as Deputy AG to continue serving DJT but who will stop those operating outside of the Constitution. Republicans may one day discover their spines and then what?
We were hanging by a thread way before this, but it's just one of the bigger examples of how much of a turd Trump is, and how much the weak-kneed GOP members of Congress and the under-educated voters who didn't bother to study his history of ineptitude and criminality have allowed us to get this close to the brink. It'll take years to undo the mess just six months of this fool and his minions have created. I pray being exposed in the Epstein disaster will be the bridge too far for people who have stood by him no matter how stupid and corrupt he is.
An excellent post and rationale for the FOIA requests. Thanks Attorney Lezra.
That said, my understanding is that the thrust of these Epstein probes is to put the "johns" on the hot seat and not to help the victims. Who so long after the fact probably are not happy for the public attention.
And, to be honest, the Epstein scandal has sat dormant for years and is only being brought to life now because of the enticing prospect of causing harm to Rs and the T regime.
I simply don't believe that MAGA supporters or Rs will break rank with T over Epstein files. MTG might say something snippy but where else is she going to go - certainly not over to the D side. Same with all the MAGA supporters.
And the reports of T falling poll numbers show that the decline in support is amongst Independents. Rs and MAGA remain steady supporters.
So while the Epstein story certainly needs to be covered, the Contrarian thankfully is keeping focus on the bread and butter realities of harm being caused by T regime.
From this regime, I don't put any shredding of evidence past them, but I hope your FOIA request is honored and you are able to piece the conspiracy together, particularly with regard to trump, bondi and bove.
There is another lens I hope you'll consider and give voice to though.
trump has stated repeatedly that he could shoot someone dead on 5th Avenue in NYC and get away with it. Would his base, lower courts, or even the Supreme Court let him get away molesting or raping a child? How about if he molested or raped multiple children?
What does it mean to be “pro-children” or “pro-life”? Is this just an anti-abortion slogan or does it apply for the lifetime of a child. Does it extend into adulthood, when legacy fears and symptoms of PTSD from childhood sexual abuse haunt that child into and through their adulthood?
If trump, or anyone else (regardless of political party) is guilty of molesting or raping children in association with Epstein’s depravity, they should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
My guess is that a redacted list will make it's way to a congressional or senate committee hearing, and a testifying Maxwell will confirm that list and no more.
Everyone should read the book "Perversion of Justice -The Jeffrey Epstein Story," written by Miami Herald investigative reporter Julie K. Brown, copyright 2021. Why her investigation was never followed up can only be attributed to the powerful and rich participants in the Epstein/Maxwell saga. I will be reading it again, but I do seem to remember that the orange felon was mentioned in this book.
It's outstanding that "Democracy Defenders Fund, has filed three Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests to get all Epstein files that name Trump," but that (and our Constitution) have virtually nothing to do with "democracy." Our Constitution (Article IV) requires the U.S. government to "guarantee" a "Republican Form of Government," including by securing to all "Citizens" absolutely "all Privileges and Immunities of [U.S.] Citizens."
Our Constitution (Amendment I) requires the U.S. government to secure "the freedom of speech" and "press." In our “republic” clearly “the people are sovereign” and “the ability” (the power) “of the citizenry to make informed choices” about public servants and public issues “is essential.” Citizens United v. FEC, 558 U.S. 310, 339 (2010). “Speech is an essential mechanism of democracy;” it is “the means to hold officials accountable to the people” in our “republic where the people are sovereign.” Id.
“The right of citizens to inquire, to hear, to speak, and to use information” is essential “to enlightened self-government and a necessary means to protect it.” Id. Accord id. at 339-341, 344-350. “Premised on mistrust of [all] governmental power, the First Amendment stands against attempts to disfavor” the “subjects or viewpoints” of our speech or access to information regarding public servants’ abuses or usurpations of power. Id. at 340.
“For these reasons,” our “political speech" (and access to information) "must prevail against” regulation “that would suppress it, whether by design or inadvertence,” so regulation “that burden[s] political speech” (and our access to information about our purported public servants) is “subject to strict scrutiny,” which “requires the Government to prove” how concealing information in the Epstein files “furthers a compelling interest and is narrowly tailored to achieve that interest.” Id. To do so, courts must fulfill their “duty” to “say what the law is” protecting our access to information about our public servants. Id. at 365 (quoting Marbury v. Madison, 5 U.S. at 177).
If it weren't at the highest levels of our government, it would be fun to watch Blondi, Bove, Blanche, and Trump bobbing and weaving so dramatically. But, even as we speak, I'd bet that Blanche is cutting a deal with Ghislaine Maxwell to seal her lips. Period. Congress will never hear from her. She can't recall anything. We'll never know what she knows. And Chuck Grassley, Gym Jordan, James Comer, Mike Johnson, and JD Vance will all be just fine whistling past the Constitution's graveyard.
Gym is to be deposed over what he didn't see as wrestling coach. Blanche had no authority as Deputy AG to continue serving DJT but who will stop those operating outside of the Constitution. Republicans may one day discover their spines and then what?
“The government’s credibility is hanging by a thread.”
Nope. That thread was severed a loooooong time ago!
And it wasn't much of a thread to begin with.
The article is good. Thank you so much for championship.
Why getting the Trump-Epstein files matters for democracy? To hold the Trump regime responsible for their lies, crimes and corruption.
We were hanging by a thread way before this, but it's just one of the bigger examples of how much of a turd Trump is, and how much the weak-kneed GOP members of Congress and the under-educated voters who didn't bother to study his history of ineptitude and criminality have allowed us to get this close to the brink. It'll take years to undo the mess just six months of this fool and his minions have created. I pray being exposed in the Epstein disaster will be the bridge too far for people who have stood by him no matter how stupid and corrupt he is.
An excellent post and rationale for the FOIA requests. Thanks Attorney Lezra.
That said, my understanding is that the thrust of these Epstein probes is to put the "johns" on the hot seat and not to help the victims. Who so long after the fact probably are not happy for the public attention.
And, to be honest, the Epstein scandal has sat dormant for years and is only being brought to life now because of the enticing prospect of causing harm to Rs and the T regime.
I simply don't believe that MAGA supporters or Rs will break rank with T over Epstein files. MTG might say something snippy but where else is she going to go - certainly not over to the D side. Same with all the MAGA supporters.
And the reports of T falling poll numbers show that the decline in support is amongst Independents. Rs and MAGA remain steady supporters.
So while the Epstein story certainly needs to be covered, the Contrarian thankfully is keeping focus on the bread and butter realities of harm being caused by T regime.
Excellent work, gentlemen--thank you.
From this regime, I don't put any shredding of evidence past them, but I hope your FOIA request is honored and you are able to piece the conspiracy together, particularly with regard to trump, bondi and bove.
There is another lens I hope you'll consider and give voice to though.
trump has stated repeatedly that he could shoot someone dead on 5th Avenue in NYC and get away with it. Would his base, lower courts, or even the Supreme Court let him get away molesting or raping a child? How about if he molested or raped multiple children?
What does it mean to be “pro-children” or “pro-life”? Is this just an anti-abortion slogan or does it apply for the lifetime of a child. Does it extend into adulthood, when legacy fears and symptoms of PTSD from childhood sexual abuse haunt that child into and through their adulthood?
If trump, or anyone else (regardless of political party) is guilty of molesting or raping children in association with Epstein’s depravity, they should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
Their victims deserve that justice.
My guess is that a redacted list will make it's way to a congressional or senate committee hearing, and a testifying Maxwell will confirm that list and no more.
Everyone should read the book "Perversion of Justice -The Jeffrey Epstein Story," written by Miami Herald investigative reporter Julie K. Brown, copyright 2021. Why her investigation was never followed up can only be attributed to the powerful and rich participants in the Epstein/Maxwell saga. I will be reading it again, but I do seem to remember that the orange felon was mentioned in this book.
Let's hope the FOIA requests allow more to be discovered and worked on toward a more satisfying conclusion of this story.
It's outstanding that "Democracy Defenders Fund, has filed three Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests to get all Epstein files that name Trump," but that (and our Constitution) have virtually nothing to do with "democracy." Our Constitution (Article IV) requires the U.S. government to "guarantee" a "Republican Form of Government," including by securing to all "Citizens" absolutely "all Privileges and Immunities of [U.S.] Citizens."
Our Constitution (Amendment I) requires the U.S. government to secure "the freedom of speech" and "press." In our “republic” clearly “the people are sovereign” and “the ability” (the power) “of the citizenry to make informed choices” about public servants and public issues “is essential.” Citizens United v. FEC, 558 U.S. 310, 339 (2010). “Speech is an essential mechanism of democracy;” it is “the means to hold officials accountable to the people” in our “republic where the people are sovereign.” Id.
“The right of citizens to inquire, to hear, to speak, and to use information” is essential “to enlightened self-government and a necessary means to protect it.” Id. Accord id. at 339-341, 344-350. “Premised on mistrust of [all] governmental power, the First Amendment stands against attempts to disfavor” the “subjects or viewpoints” of our speech or access to information regarding public servants’ abuses or usurpations of power. Id. at 340.
“For these reasons,” our “political speech" (and access to information) "must prevail against” regulation “that would suppress it, whether by design or inadvertence,” so regulation “that burden[s] political speech” (and our access to information about our purported public servants) is “subject to strict scrutiny,” which “requires the Government to prove” how concealing information in the Epstein files “furthers a compelling interest and is narrowly tailored to achieve that interest.” Id. To do so, courts must fulfill their “duty” to “say what the law is” protecting our access to information about our public servants. Id. at 365 (quoting Marbury v. Madison, 5 U.S. at 177).