Everybody’s Working for the Weakened

The Epstein files bill that Trump tried to prevent but then was forced to get behind advanced through both chambers and is awaiting the president’s signature. But stopping this information from becoming public has been one of Trump’s signature goals, so it’s fair to wonder if we’ll actually see the full files anytime soon. As I’ve mentioned, my hunch is that Pam Bondi will say she can’t release all of them because of the ongoing investigation into Epstein and others (Democrats) that Trump ordered last week. We don’t know how this will all play out, but we do know that it’s been a rare moment when the GOP (in large numbers) couldn’t be strong-armed by Trump. It would be nice to say we’ve reached some kind of moral reckoning. But the turning point has more do to with recent election results and the latest polling numbers. Meanwhile, a reminder: Trump Will Get More Reckless as His Power Ebbs.

+ How far will that ebb flow? Keep in mind, there will always be two separate and unequal standards. How scandals affect Trump. And how they affect everyone else. Consider this story which would obliterate the average political career: One of the rioters who Trump pardoned was just arrested for child sexual abuse (during the same week Trump’s ties to Epstein are dominating the news), and it’s barely a blip in the news. Meanwhile, among those who are not Trump, scandals hurt: Larry Summers resigns from OpenAI board, Harvard launches probe after release of Epstein emails. At this point, we don’t know if the Epstein scandal will damage Trump or just a lot of other people. We only know what recent history suggests.