Investigative reporter Jason Leopold reported that the FBI spent over $850,000 in overtime pay to process and redact files related to the Jeffrey Epstein case. This information was revealed in documents released by the FBI in response to a civil lawsuit. The documents showed 934 agents worked over 14,000 hours on the project, which was part of the “Epstein Transparency Project 2025.” While the documents confirm significant overtime pay, they do not offer evidence that the redactions were specifically to remove Donald Trump’s name or solely for “redaction training.”
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Nearly 100 former lawmakers call on House to ban stock trading by members of Congress, and it’s certainly a topic that’s sparking a lot of discussion. The very fact that this many former members are speaking out says something, doesn’t it? It feels like a late realization, a collective “hindsight is 20/20” moment. It’s a bit of a cliché, the “I got mine, now pull up the ladder” mentality, but there’s a definite whiff of that in the air. These are people who, by virtue of having been “former,” are no longer directly benefiting from the system they’re criticizing. It’s easy to advocate for change when you’re not personally affected by it anymore.… Continue reading
The White House released a memo detailing President Trump’s “preventative” MRI conducted last month at Walter Reed Military Medical Center, weeks after the visit. The advanced imaging focused on cardiovascular and abdominal health, a standard procedure for men in his age group, according to the White House. The memo, issued by the physician to the president, Dr. Sean Barbabella, stated that the cardiovascular imaging was “perfectly normal” and that major organs appear “very healthy.” The release of information came after the president himself mentioned the MRI and amidst ongoing questions about its purpose, with the White House citing an “effort of transparency.”
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During a recent exchange with reporters, Trump couldn’t specify the reason for his recent MRI. Despite a reporter’s direct questioning, Trump stated he did not know what part of his body was being examined. He maintained the results were “perfect” when prompted about the possibility of releasing them, and did not elaborate on the specific area of focus. Given the timing of the MRI and the fact that they are not routine, this lack of clarity raises further questions.
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Walz hits back at Trump over Thanksgiving tirade: ‘Release the MRI results’ – it’s a phrase that really gets to the heart of what many people are thinking right now. It’s not just about a single inflammatory statement; it’s about the bigger picture, the underlying concerns about someone’s capacity, and the transparency – or lack thereof – that surrounds it all. The immediate reaction, of course, is a sense of disbelief and frustration. How can someone in such a position of power, particularly after such an outburst, seemingly avoid accountability? The call for MRI results, the desire for hard medical evidence, becomes a stand-in for the broader demand for truth and clarity.… Continue reading
The Supreme Court is currently reviewing cases concerning presidential power and the separation of powers. One case involves Perlmutter, who argues her position within the Library of Congress made her part of the legislative branch, thus protecting her from being fired by the executive branch. The court is also considering cases of Federal Trade Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter and Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, both of whom have had their removal challenged. The court allowed Trump to remove Slaughter, and Cook’s case will be heard in January.
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The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis canceled the release of its advance estimate of third-quarter GDP due to disruptions from the federal government shutdown, joining other delayed economic reports like the October jobs data. This postponement has fueled speculation that the data may reveal unfavorable economic performance, especially as President Trump touts strong growth amidst ongoing concerns. While the BEA has not set a new release date, the Federal Reserve Chair has acknowledged that the lack of data could impact policy decisions, further adding to the uncertainty surrounding the true state of the U.S. economy.
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X, under Elon Musk’s ownership, introduced a feature displaying the country locations of user accounts, aiming to increase transparency. However, the accuracy of this feature was immediately questioned by security experts and former employees, who cited the ease with which location data could be manipulated. They expressed concerns that the feature could be easily exploited using tools like VPNs, potentially misleading users and creating a false sense of security. Despite being proposed previously, the implementation of this feature was reportedly met with internal reluctance due to these very concerns, and the possibility of it backfiring. This new feature follows a trend of tech companies attempting to combat inauthentic behavior, but as a result of its rollout, the feature’s ultimate usefulness remains unclear.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood