During a recent Oval Office meeting, President Trump criticized Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, claiming that the previous administration appointed him. However, it was actually Trump who initially appointed Powell in 2017, praising his leadership at the time. Despite these past endorsements, Trump has since heavily criticized Powell for failing to cut interest rates, even going so far as to suggest he was looking for a replacement. This shift in attitude contradicts the president’s earlier assessment of Powell and the “best” people.
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The article reports on the controversy surrounding the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files, with President Trump dismissing the issue as a “hoax” and defending the decision not to release the documents. While some Republicans and House Democrats are calling for the files to be made public, the president has criticized these figures, labeling them “stupid”. Furthermore, a recent investigation revealed that a video purporting to prove Epstein’s death was not a murder was edited to remove three minutes of footage. The Attorney General is under fire for her handling of the case and the president has stated only “credible” files should be released.
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Despite reports of an imminent dismissal, former President Donald Trump denied plans to fire Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, although he did acknowledge discussing the possibility with House Republicans, who largely supported the move. Trump, who appointed Powell during his presidency, has criticized him for not lowering interest rates quickly enough and has also expressed the view that there is no inflation. While the president expressed his discontent with Powell’s performance, he did not rule out the possibility of firing him, but said the chances were “highly unlikely.”
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The former president expressed bewilderment at the continued interest in the Jeffrey Epstein case, dismissing it as “boring” and suggesting that only “pretty bad people” would want to prolong it. Trump stated that he doesn’t understand the fascination with a case that’s been resolved, despite his own administration’s handling of the situation. This stance contrasts with his supporters’ ongoing interest, fueled by prior statements from figures within his circle, who previously questioned the case’s outcome but have since distanced themselves from those claims. This shift has left many of his supporters feeling betrayed and frustrated, as they expected further revelations about Epstein’s connections to powerful figures.
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A significant portion of the Justice Department’s Federal Programs Branch, responsible for defending Trump administration policies, has departed or announced their departure since the election. Reuters reported that nearly two-thirds of the approximately 110 lawyers in the unit have left. These departures could pose challenges for the unit, particularly as it faces numerous lawsuits related to controversial policies. The DOJ is actively recruiting replacements and reallocating personnel to maintain its litigation capacity, but the impact on the department’s ability to defend the President’s agenda in court remains to be seen.
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Following Donald Trump’s directive, Fox News and other MAGA media outlets have largely ceased discussion of Jeffrey Epstein. After the Justice Department released a memo stating there was no credible evidence of Epstein blackmail, many Trump-aligned figures initially expressed discontent. However, after Trump’s statement supporting Pam Bondi and discouraging further discussion of Epstein, prominent figures like Jesse Watters, Sean Hannity, and Greg Gutfeld fell in line, drastically reducing or eliminating mentions of Epstein on their programs. While some outside of Fox News have expressed dissent, the general trend among MAGA commentators has been silence or support for Trump’s stance.
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In a recent Truth Social post, former President Donald Trump criticized some of his supporters for believing what he called the “Jeffrey Epstein Hoax.” This remark, which grouped the Epstein controversy with other past disputes, comes amid efforts to quiet unrest within conservative circles. Trump’s comments have sparked immediate backlash, with many expressing surprise and disbelief. House Republicans’ recent blocking of a vote to publicize Epstein files has also drawn criticism and raised questions about transparency.
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The Justice Department and FBI recently stated in a memo that no client list of high-profile names associated with Jeffrey Epstein was found, prompting criticism from various figures. Podcaster Joe Rogan publicly questioned the handling of the Epstein files, referencing conflicting information and questioning the credibility of the authorities. House Speaker Mike Johnson and other Republicans expressed support for transparency regarding the files, despite some opposing a vote to release them. Former President Trump claimed that the Epstein files were fabricated, while several prominent figures, including Marjorie Taylor Greene, have demanded further investigation and information.
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Andry José Hernández Romero, a Venezuelan asylum seeker, was labeled a criminal and sent to El Salvador’s CECOT prison, a place known for inhumane conditions. Despite applying for asylum legally, his devotion to his family, expressed through tattoos, was used against him in what appears to be a propaganda campaign. After his disappearance, his family and legal team have had no contact with him for months and are unsure if he is still alive. Government officials refuse to confirm his whereabouts, highlighting the administration’s efforts to make seeking asylum a crime punishable by torture or even death.
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Tim Weiner, author of a critical history of the CIA, now finds himself defending the organization due to former President Trump’s hostility toward the intelligence community. Weiner’s new book details the CIA’s failures, including its unpreparedness for Russia’s interference in the 2016 election, which he considers an act of political warfare that aided in electing Trump. He criticizes the appointments of “incompetent” Trump loyalists and the purge of experienced officers, resulting in ideological alignment with the president’s false views. Weiner fears that Trump’s actions, including undermining diversity and alienating allies, will leave the U.S. vulnerable to attack, highlighting the potential consequences of the administration’s approach to national security.
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John Q. Hosedrinker