GoLocalProv | The Epstein Files are Coming, Finally—“The Sunday Political Brunch”

Sunday, November 23, 2025

Mark Curtis, MINDSETTER™

President Donald Trump PHOTO: White House Feed

In Washington, D.C., this past week, it was literally “all Epstein, all the time,” as that scandal continues to dominate the headlines, and it may into next year. But there was also big news from the federal courts, and even a Congressional indictment. Let’s “brunch” on all of that this week:

“Epstein – Trump Flip Flops” – At nearly the eleventh hour, President Donald Trump switched his opposition to releasing the Epstein files. He gave the blessing to all Congressional Republicans to vote “yes.” Trump made his statement to reporters on Air Force One, saying, House Republicans should vote to release the Epstein files, “because we have nothing to hide, and it’s time to move on from this Democrat Hoax perpetrated by the Radical Left Lunatics.” Why the switch? A few reasons, primarily political. First, Trump hates to lose a fight, and he knew he would lose this vote. And while Trump is not on the ballot in 2026, he is in “spirit.” It will be a Congressional referendum on his second term. Republican margins are razor-thin in both the House and Senate, and he wants to keep control of both chambers for his final two years in office. He may get to appoint one or two more U.S. Supreme Court Justices, but he can’t do that if Democrats control the Senate.

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“Epstein House Vote” – It was a fascinating turn of events. Democrats needed all their members, plus four Republicans, to get a “discharge petition” approved to bring a bill to the full House floor for a vote. They got the exact 218 “yes” votes they needed, meaning a simple majority of House members. But in the final vote on actually releasing the Epstein files was 427 to 1, with five absent.

“Why the Turnaround?” – With the 2026 midterm elections staring down members of the House and Senate like the barrel of a gun, the massive turnaround in the vote to release the Epstein files is very politically tinged. The files will name hundreds of wealthy and powerful people, many of them with political influence. It will name them, even though many probably did nothing wrong, other than to be chummy with a known sexual predator and trafficker. But many people in this country feel we have a dual standard of justice – one for the powerful and well-connected, and another for the poor and unconnected. There were times in this case where Epstein literally got away with murder, i.e., a sweetheart deal not to prosecute him federally in Florida. I can’t imagine running for Congress next year and having to defend why I blocked the release of the Epstein files. It could have been an electoral bloodbath.

“Victims’ Voices Matter” – There were two prominent news conferences on Capitol Hill where members of Congress, especially female office holders, stood shoulder to shoulder with the victims of Epstein and his fellow sex trafficker and girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell. Three prominent female GOP lawmakers stood their ground and said they would vote against pressure from President Donald Trump not to release the files. The critical thing to remember here is that women vote in significantly greater numbers than men. In every presidential election cycle since 1980, women have outvoted men by an average of 3 to 5 percentage points. That translates into millions of votes. The female victims in the Epstein case feel the politicians, the public, and the press were not correctly hearing them. Their joint news conference with key House members – both female and male – was a turning point in this case. Again, the goal was not to anger each member’s voting base.

“Trump v Marjorie Taylor Greene” – One of the most memorable events in the Epstein files debate was the complete falling out between President Trump and his long-time ally, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R) Georgia. Greene was one of four House Republicans to support the discharge petition to release the files. She was joined by Rep. Tom Massie (R-Kentucky), Rep. Nancy Mace (R-South Carolina), and Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colorado). Without these brave four bolting the president, the files would stay in the dark. Trump ignited a feud by calling Greene a “traitor.” Trump also called her “Wacky Majorie” and promised to oppose Greene with a candidate in the primary, “If the right person runs.” Greene responded, “I’ve never owed him anything, but I fought for him, for the policies and for America First, and he called me a traitor for standing with these women (the Epstein victims).” The bitterness of this falling-out reminds me of the old saying, “If you want a real friend in Washington, DC, get a dog.” This was ugly.

Later Friday night, Rep. Greene said she would resign from the House in January.

“Larry Summers Steps Away” – Former U.S. Treasury Secretary and Harvard President Lawrence Summers has stepped down from OpenAI’s board of directors. He is also stepping back from appearing or speaking on behalf of Harvard, where he remains in the role of University Professor, teaching three classes this semester. The married Summers sought romantic advice from Epstein regarding a female colleague. This happened as late as 2019, before Epstein took his own life in a jail cell, while awaiting trial on sex charges. The two men were close for years. Summers issued a statement, saying, “I am deeply ashamed of my actions and recognize the pain they have caused. I take full responsibility for my misguided decision to continue communicating with Mr. Epstein. While continuing to fulfill my teaching obligations, I will be stepping back from public commitments as one part of my broader effort to rebuild trust and repair relationships with the people closest to me.” By week’s end, Summers also stepped away from his teaching assignments, too.

“Texas Redistricting Map” – A U.S. District Court in El Paso, TX has halted the state’s new law that redraws the Congressional map ahead of the 2026 election, potentially giving the GOP five additional House seats from Texas. In a 2 – 1 ruling, the order said, “To be sure, politics played a role in drawing the 2025 Map. But it was much more than just politics. Substantial evidence shows that Texas racially gerrymandered the 2025 Map.” The ruling was written by a Trump appointee from his first term. The Governor of Texas and Republican leaders have already filed a direct appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. With other states such as California, Missouri, South Carolina, Virginia, and Ohio considering a map overhaul next year, this probably won’t be the last one in federal court. Traditionally, maps are redrawn in the year that ends in zero, after the new census is taken. Late Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court temporarily blocked the District Court ruling on these maps.

“Trump and New NYC Mayor” – President Trump held his first meeting with Mayor Zohran Mamdani in the Oval Office Friday. Many of us expected fireworks, given their nasty barbs back and forth in public, but it fizzled out. Trump called it, “A great meeting, a very productive meeting. We want this city we love to do well.” The two said they discussed the affordability of food, utilities, and housing. Mamdani said, “I look forward to delivering that – affordability to New York.” Mamdani noted that one in ten of voters who backed him, voted for Trump in 2024.

“Congresswoman Indicted” – It’s always jarring when a member of Congress is charged with a crime, but when it’s your own member of Congress, it’s even more distressing. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Florida 20th) is accused of stealing $5 million in FEMA disaster relief funds. Folks, I give everyone accused the presumption of innocence, but I live in Broward County, Florida, the annual bullseye target on the hurricane map. The accusations say the thefts began during COVID, another national emergency. If convicted, she needs to get the maximum sentence to send a strong message to lawmakers of any party. Emergency relief funds are sacred and intended to benefit citizens only. Period!

“Comey Prosecution Missteps” – When former FBI Director James Comey was indicted by the Trump Justice Department earlier this year, via a federal grand jury, I predicted charges would eventually be dismissed. Now, it appears, we are headed in that direction. Federal Magistrate Judge William Fitzpatrick scolded the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s office, saying, “The Court recognizes that the relief sought by the defense (a dismissal) is rarely granted.” Judge Fitzpatrick added. “However, the record points to a disturbing pattern of profound investigative missteps, missteps that led an FBI agent and a prosecutor to potentially undermine the integrity of the grand jury proceeding.” Comey has argued his prosecution was revenge-driven political payback for his investigations of Trump in his first term. Trump eventually fired Comey. I believe this case is days away from dismissal with prejudice, meaning charges can’t be refiled.

“Trump Loses on National Guard Fight” – On Thursday, a federal judge ordered that President Trump’s deployment of the National Guard in the District of Columbia was an illegal intrusion on the authority of local officials to provide law enforcement in their community. But the judge stayed her order for 21 days so the White House could file an appeal. For now, National Guard troops will remain on the grounds in DC until at least December 11.

“Remembering Dick Cheney” – Thursday morning, a bipartisan gathering of national political figures, past and present, honored the life of the late former Vice President Dick Cheney. All living former vice presidents attended, as did former Presidents George W. Bush and Joe Biden. Bush, who selected Cheney to be his VP, said of Cheney, “Solid and rare and reliable,” adding that Cheney was noted for his “talent and his restraint. Smart and polished, without airs.” President Trump, a political enemy of Cheney, was not invited, nor was Vice President JD Vance. When asked about Cheney at an event Thursday night, Vance said, “Obviously, there’s some political disagreements there, but he was a guy who served his country. We certainly wish his family all the best in this moment of grieving.” I thought Vance’s words were classy.

Mark Curtis, Ed.D., is a South Florida-based political writer and analyst who has covered news and politics all across the nation, including New England, for the past 48 years. Most recently, he was the Chief Political Reporter for the seven Nexstar Media TV stations covering West Virginia, its five neighboring states, and the entire Washington, DC media market. He remains a MINDSETTER™ Contributing Political Writer and Analyst for www.GoLocalProv.com and its affiliates.

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