By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Recent news headlines cover a range of pressing issues. A Brown University student, who is also a Parkland shooting survivor, voiced their anger. Meanwhile, the latest inflation report revealed a 2.7% increase in prices compared to last year. Political figures are also reacting to various developments, including the Epstein files and the handling of the economy. In addition, there is discussion surrounding the release of certain videos and healthcare legislation.
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The DOJ should be held in contempt if they don’t release the Epstein files by tomorrow: Sen. Cortez Masto. The Epstein case has, unfortunately, significantly eroded public trust. The continued delays in releasing these files only reinforce the perception that someone, or several someones, are being protected. The suggestion of holding the DOJ in contempt, though, brings a lot of questions to mind, mostly centering around what the enforcement of such a ruling would even entail.
The whole situation seems to be a frustrating echo of the “rules for thee, but not for me” sentiment. It feels like elected officials are held to a different standard than ordinary citizens, which, naturally, fuels cynicism. There’s a widespread feeling that the release will be delayed, and any release will be heavily redacted. There’s also the feeling that nobody will do anything about it.
It’s tempting to compare this to situations where seemingly clear consequences fail to materialize. Often, the response is akin to a formal reprimand that lacks any real teeth. A lot of the reaction seems to boil down to a feeling of powerlessness. What can be done? What good would contempt even bring?
The underlying sentiment is that the DOJ has already demonstrated a lack of respect for the law and accountability. Even if they are held in contempt, who would enforce it? And the core question remains: will anything actually change? The prevailing perception is that the response will be minimal. It’s hard to imagine the DOJ taking action against itself.
The suspicion that influential figures are being shielded is prevalent. There are whispers of high-ranking individuals in this administration, in Congress, and even in the Supreme Court who could be implicated. The longer the files are withheld, the more those suspicions intensify. The timing is also a concern. The fact that Congress is on holiday, going home early, ahead of the deadline feels like a lack of good faith. It’s a perception that the administration is operating in bad faith, especially when they know that the questioning of the file release won’t happen until the new year.
The release of the files tomorrow seems almost predestined to be a half-hearted attempt. It’s easy to predict the excuses: redactions, crashed hard drives, claims of needing to protect victims. The perception is that the government is full of pedophiles, and there’s no reason to trust their commitment to transparency.
The idea that the DOJ would enforce contempt for the DOJ itself is seen as absurd. There’s a deep-seated distrust of the entire system, fueled by the feeling that those in power are above the law. The call for drastic measures like “throwing them all in jail” reflects a profound sense of frustration and desperation.
The discussion also turns to the lack of political will to address this issue. Why aren’t Democrats making this a major issue? There’s an underlying belief that, regardless of political affiliation, the elite are shielded from justice. The general feeling is that the powers that be will find a way to avoid accountability.
The discussion shifts toward the idea that any law should have some really serious penalties for not being in compliance. It needs some “horrific personal punishments” that would prevent officials from interfering. The only way is to ensure consequences are enforced. The current system seems to be designed to protect those in power and that the DOJ is incapable of policing itself. The current administration has no respect for the law.
The frustration is palpable and the lack of hope is clear. The overwhelming feeling is that the files won’t be released in a meaningful way, and that those responsible will escape justice.