Good morning everyone. We’re heading into a huge week. Tomorrow the House votes on releasing the Epstein files, and all indicators show it will pass with major Republican support. After that, the fight moves to the Senate, where as of this morning one Republican senator is flipping to a yes vote. At the same time, Kash Patel, now the FBI Director, has reportedly given his girlfriend protection from an FBI SWAT-team security detail.
In today’s update, I break down what is actually going to happen now that the president has ordered his party to support the release, and why he made that move. The timing matters. Survivors are watching closely.
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Here’s what you missed:
President Trump reversed his position and urged House Republicans to vote to release the Epstein files, saying “we have nothing to hide,” as a discharge petition forced a floor vote and bipartisan pressure mounted, while Trump defended past document releases, attacked Democrats, acknowledged his own ties to Epstein, and faced renewed scrutiny from allies and critics over transparency and political fallout surrounding the case.I do have concerns, however. Trump could release the Epstein records himself but is instead pushing a House vote to shift blame, is using vague language about what the House is “legally entitled” to access that could allow stonewalling, and may be setting up the Senate to delay or block disclosure while he claims to support transparency. In addition, I would expect this White House to now say they cannot release certain files due to the ongoing investigation by the Justice Department. Sen. Coons suggested that Attorney General Bondi will likely refuse to release the Epstein files by citing an ongoing investigation, aligning with the president’s public pressure for probes into Democrats and giving Trump cover to claim support for transparency while blocking disclosure.
I do have concerns, however. Trump could release the Epstein records himself but is instead pushing a House vote to shift blame, is using vague language about what the House is “legally entitled” to access that could allow stonewalling, and may be setting up the Senate to delay or block disclosure while he claims to support transparency. In addition, I would expect this White House to now say they cannot release certain files due to the ongoing investigation by the Justice Department.
Sen. Coons suggested that Attorney General Bondi will likely refuse to release the Epstein files by citing an ongoing investigation, aligning with the president’s public pressure for probes into Democrats and giving Trump cover to claim support for transparency while blocking disclosure.
Despite re-opening the investigation, Trump continues to call it a “hoax.”
Sen. Lisa Murkowski said it’s “about time” for the full Jeffrey Epstein files to be released, sharply criticizing House Speaker Mike Johnson for adjourning during the shutdown instead of addressing the records, supporting next week’s planned House vote, and emphasizing that while victims’ names must be protected through redaction, transparency is essential so the public can see the files and the issue can finally move forward.
Asked whether the Epstein investigation he ordered was a smokescreen to block more records from being released, Trump refused to answer and attacked the reporter, calling them “fake news” and “a terrible reporter,” and said the question was meant to distract from what he described as his administration’s successes.
FBI Director Kash Patel is under fire after reports that his girlfriend, country singer Alexis Wilkins, is receiving protection from an FBI SWAT-team security detail, a highly unusual use of bureau resources that critics say pulls agents from real emergencies, adding to scrutiny over Patel’s alleged misuse of government assets, including flights on an FBI jet to attend Wilkins’ events, and wider concerns about his leadership and politically motivated firings.
President Trump signaled he may open talks with Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro even as the U.S. escalates military pressure, including new strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats, the arrival of a major aircraft carrier, and the pending terrorist designation of the Cartel de los Soles, while officials say Trump is weighing broader military options amid growing congressional criticism over the administration’s unilateral actions.
Asked about Tucker Carlson’s friendly interview with Nick Fuentes, Trump said Carlson has been “good” to him and “said good things,” then lashed out at the reporter, calling them “the worst” and criticizing their outlet.
Charlotte’s immigrant communities were left frightened and immobilized after federal agents arrested at least 81 people in a major weekend sweep under Operation Charlotte’s Web, with businesses shutting down, citizens and legal residents detained or harassed, and local officials condemning the unprecedented use of border patrol tactics far from any border, while advocacy groups scramble to support families amid rising fear, confusion, and mass deportation policies under the Trump administration.
The FAA lifted its emergency flight-reduction order at 6 a.m. Monday after controller staffing stabilized following the end of the government shutdown, allowing normal flight levels to resume ahead of Thanksgiving travel; the rollback follows a sharp drop in staffing-trigger events and ends restrictions that had caused widespread delays, though the agency says it is still reviewing reports that some airlines failed to comply with the order.
The Guardian reports that a transnational neo-Nazi network called the Observations Group, linked to The Base and its leader Rinaldo Nazzaro, is offering online military and drone warfare training, using crypto payments and Telegram channels, with experts warning that the group’s Russian ties, extremist paramilitary curriculum, and recruitment of veterans pose an urgent security threat by helping far-right accelerationists develop real-world attack capabilities.
Israeli data reviewed by Physicians for Human Rights – Israel shows at least 98 Palestinians have died in custody since October 2023, with the true toll likely far higher because many Gaza detainees remain unaccounted for, amid extensive evidence of systemic abuse, medical neglect, torture, forced disappearance, and near-total impunity within Israeli detention facilities, where families often cannot even confirm whether their relatives are alive.
A powerful atmospheric river storm drenched California and left at least six people dead, triggered flooding, road closures, and mudslide risks in fire-scarred areas, swept a child and her father into the ocean, caused fatal vehicle washouts, and contributed to a deadly migrant boat capsizing, with more rain expected as warming oceans intensify these destructive systems.
Bangladesh’s deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina was sentenced to death in absentia by the country’s international crimes tribunal for crimes against humanity tied to last year’s student-led uprising, with judges citing her orders to use drones, helicopters, and lethal force against civilians.
Good news:
Rescuers in Shetland saved a two-year-old collie named Whisp after he tumbled about 100 feet down a cliff and was stranded on a rocky ledge; a Coastguard rope team spent three hours lowering a technician to retrieve him, and the dog was lifted back to safety “remarkably unscathed” and reunited with his relieved owner.
Delivering Good is marking 40 years of supplying more than $3 billion in new clothing, toys, and essential goods to families in need, evolving into a major disaster-relief nonprofit that partners with brands to redirect excess products to people facing crises.
A British surgeon aboard the Mercy Ships hospital vessel in Sierra Leone removed a massive, life-threatening tumor from a ten-month-old baby’s neck for free, saving her life after local hospitals said she was too young for surgery.
See you this evening.
— Aaron
