The Department of Justice released the first tranche of Epstein files, containing images of former President Bill Clinton with various individuals including Ghislaine Maxwell and Mick Jagger. While Donald Trump, who had a prior relationship with Epstein, is absent from the initial release, the files include a variety of redacted documents and photographs. The release was mandated by the Epstein Files Transparency Act passed by Congress, despite Trump initially opposing the release. However, the search functionality of the released files was not functioning as intended upon release.
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The Department of Justice released a large, but incomplete, collection of Jeffrey Epstein files on Friday, a move that followed a missed deadline for full disclosure as required by the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The released files included declassified documents, many heavily redacted, and some already publicly available. Notably, searches for “Trump” and “Epstein” yielded no results within the released documents. Democrats vowed to pursue all legal options in response to the limited release, expressing concerns over the lack of transparency and the withholding of key information.
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The Trump administration has largely ceased releasing undocumented children in federal custody to their parents and other relatives since early November. While the Administration for Children and Families claims that enhanced vetting policies are in place to better protect the children, sources within the Office of Refugee Resettlement indicate that a verbal order was issued to halt releases. Before this unofficial order, only about four children were released to sponsors daily. Consequently, children are experiencing increased detention, causing mental health issues and impacting reunification efforts.
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The Trump administration is working to redact thousands of Jeffrey Epstein documents before a Friday deadline for their release, involving Justice Department attorneys and counterintelligence specialists. Attorneys are grappling with limited guidance, causing concern regarding transparency. The push to release the files followed pressure from both sides of the political spectrum, and the DOJ has the authority to redact certain information. Legal document specialists are concerned about potential over-redaction and errors, fueled by the limited time lawyers have to process the files.
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During a televised address, President Trump delivered a performance marked by escalating volume, rapid speech, and egregious falsehoods, potentially setting records for its level of mendacity. His erratic behavior appeared to be a desperate attempt to combat plummeting approval ratings, reflecting a “used-car-salesman-on-coke” demeanor. From a psychological viewpoint, Trump displayed denial, anger, and bargaining, stages outlined in the Kübler-Ross model, by denying reality, ranting, and making promises he couldn’t keep. The speech, delivered from a bizarre set, also included anti-immigrant hate speech, blaming his predecessor and scapegoating immigrants.
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Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro responded to former US President Donald Trump’s assertion that Venezuela stole US assets, including oil and land, by accusing Trump of seeking regime change and control of the country’s resources. Maduro characterized Trump’s claims as a “warmongering and colonialist pretense” and called for unity with Colombia to defend sovereignty. He also condemned Trump’s comments in a phone call with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who reaffirmed the UN’s position on respecting international law and de-escalating tensions. The UN is currently studying the situation, as Trump threatened to impose a blockade on sanctioned oil tankers transiting Venezuela.
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President Trump signed an executive order to reclassify marijuana as a Schedule III drug, a significant change in federal policy that aligns with many states’ stances. This reclassification, similar to a proposal by his predecessor, would move cannabis away from its current classification alongside heroin. The shift could alter regulation and reduce taxes for the cannabis industry, though it wouldn’t legalize recreational use nationwide. Despite this move, some Republicans oppose the change, citing concerns about safety and potential impacts.
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In a move drawing sharp criticism, the board of the Kennedy Center voted to rename the performing arts center as the Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts. This decision, spearheaded by President Trump, who chairs the board, sparked outrage from Democrats who argue the board overstepped its legal authority. Despite the controversy, the board swiftly updated the center’s branding online to reflect the new name. The change has also drawn the ire of Kennedy family members, and has caused concern with some performers and subscription holders.
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A recent Emerson College poll reveals a significant portion of the public, 36%, gave President Trump an “F” grade on his handling of the economy, representing the most common response. This economic dissatisfaction, with cost of living as a primary concern, could negatively affect the GOP’s prospects in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections. The survey also highlighted poor ratings in healthcare and affordability, despite better scores on immigration. Experts suggest that a worsening economic outlook could mirror historical trends where presidents with low approval ratings faced substantial losses in midterm elections.
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In a move reflecting a broader crackdown on immigration, the Trump administration has set a goal to strip citizenship from over a thousand naturalized Americans in fiscal year 2026. This directive, issued to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) field offices, demands a significant increase in denaturalization cases, a process that has historically been rare. Experts suggest that fulfilling this directive will be exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, due to the legal hurdles involved and the need for federal court approval. This aggressive pursuit of denaturalization, viewed as a tool to instill fear, comes amidst unprecedented censorship and attacks on progressive media, making support for independent journalism like Truthout crucial.
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John Q. Hosedrinker