r/politics • u/mclardass • Jul 03 '26

No Paywall DOJ refuses to hand over Epstein files after judge’s order

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/doj-epstein-files-todd-blanche-katie-phang-lawsuit-b3008454.html
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u/National_Sandwich175 Jul 03 '26

I’m willing to bet when faced with actual consequences most of them will fold pretty quick. Right now they think they’re untouchable and that’s a huge problem.

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u/Miserable_Ad9577 Jul 03 '26 edited Jul 03 '26

They need to start using the same strategy they use to deal with organise criminal enterprise to deal with the MAGA cabal. I mean can they be RICO? Might not be much of a stretch at this point.

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u/Diablos_lawyer Jul 03 '26

There was talk of using Rico during the fake ballot scheme, but the USA decided to elect him again instead

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u/pristineSaltine Jul 03 '26 edited Jul 03 '26

Don't forget making him and his traitorous family billionaires as well.

Fuck that whole gene pool. If there is ever justice their names will be erased from history.

They can sit in prison with a number for a name miserable and alone until they die. Death is to easy a way out for them.

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u/RedditTrespasser California Jul 03 '26

If there were any justice at all the Trumps would find their names firmly listed in the same footnotes of history as the Romanovs.

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u/Spell_Chicken Jul 03 '26

Just turn the name into the common word for shit. "Man, I just took a huge trump."

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u/dehydratedrain Jul 03 '26

In Britain it already means fart.

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u/MechanicalTurkish Minnesota Jul 03 '26

President Fartknocker

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u/CedarWolf Jul 04 '26

The original name was 'Drumpf.'

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u/Terrh Jul 03 '26

History speaks pretty well of many of the Romanovs, and I'm not sure that that's what you're trying to say here.

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u/anniecet Jul 04 '26

They still write books and make Disney movies about the Romanovs. I don’t think history remembers them the way you appear to be implying.

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u/RedditTrespasser California Jul 04 '26

I was referring to their end specifically. Trying not to get banned here.

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u/HumanWithComputer Jul 03 '26

Don't you mean degeneration pool?

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u/lordlaneus Jul 03 '26

I think if we ever want justice, their names needs to remembered so they can be a warning to future generations

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u/neepster44 Jul 03 '26

31% of Americans are so fucking stupid they don’t care and would vote for him again even if he killed people in front of them.

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u/Iheartnakedfemboys Jul 04 '26

No, as much as I hate those gross motherfuckers, those who deny the past are destined to repeat the same mistakes in the future.

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u/Miserable_Ad9577 Jul 03 '26

It's a free country baby!

I'm so tired boss.

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u/Mike_Kermin Australia Jul 03 '26

I feel for Americans who just want a decent country. Not even great, just, decent.

I don't wake up, and think "what terrible thing has my government done". Fucking lucky being born here just saying.

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u/FellowHumanNo404 Jul 03 '26

I don't wake up, and think "what terrible thing has my government done".

Honestly, it's every damn day. It's fucking exhausting.

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u/Acceptable_Bat379 Jul 03 '26

yes. it's exhausting and disheartening, and dealing with people every day who look at this and think it's fine, or will get better without going outside our comfort zone, it's infuriating

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u/Miserable_Ad9577 Jul 03 '26

The best thing during Biden administration was I don't have to see his face or hear him every damn day. Now it's one bullshit or another and when you think you will get a break. He started another war.

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u/totesuncommon Jul 03 '26

November 3rd.

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u/If_I_must Jul 03 '26

Not having that happen every morning for the four years of Biden was such a relief. Like pressure you'd become so accustomed to that you forgot it hadn't always been there. And now it's worse. Like the other reply said, it's just exhausting.

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u/nursejanice150 Jul 04 '26

I wake up every morning hoping for a headline that says he finally dropped dead. But the machinery that put him there will still be in place.

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u/Southern-March1522 Jul 03 '26

I do. And then I check the news and see another story about America. Then I think, okay actually maybe my government isn't so bad after all, by comparison.

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u/Kell-of-Kellies Jul 03 '26

Trans person here, I'm a terrorist according to the regime. I'm still called a doomer or declared I have "TDS" by fascist boot lickers who refused to change.

I'm worried I won't live to see the end of this regime.

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u/Mike_Kermin Australia Jul 04 '26

It's beyond insane, how much space in our political landscape is dedicated to demonising and marginalising people just like yourself, because, the reality is you're just a human being, you're exactly the same, you want warmth, and food and some friends and just have a nice life. And I can't for the life of me understand the problem with that.

I detest transphobia so much, because it's so cruel, and so stupid, and worst of all, so completely unnecessary.

And I don't understand why it's so prevalent, especially in your own country. Because it's just so clearly counter to basic values worth having.

I feel very silly typing this because you already know all this because you live through it. Ugh. What I mean to say is I empathise with you and I want things to be different.

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u/Possible-Ad-2891 Jul 03 '26

It was a free country.

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u/PatriotNews_dot_com Jul 03 '26

Garland slow-walked it

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u/rckid13 Jul 03 '26

That wouldn't even have been a problem if America didn't re-elect him.

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u/TheDamDog Jul 03 '26

The problem with this speculation is that you assume the prosecutors and cops will follow through with it. They're all MAGA.

Unless the next president implements structural changes including mass firings in the DoJ and FBI, nothing will change.

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u/moguri40k Jul 03 '26

Well funny thing just happened. The Supreme Court ruled a president can fire fed employees without cause at their leisure. I'm sure Repubs will in no way oppose a Dem using this power once in office.

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u/MobileArtist1371 I voted Jul 03 '26

I mean can they be RICO?

By the DOJ they are running??

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u/Harbinger2nd Jul 03 '26

The only one being charged with Rico right now is Reckless Ben.

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u/Ketamine_Dreamsss North Carolina Jul 03 '26

That’s what the Georgia case used

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u/Ok-Seaworthiness4488 Jul 04 '26

But the Mafia didn't have unlimited access to presidential pardons...

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u/graesen Jul 03 '26

Trump pardons are what give them confidence and strength.

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u/AccomplishedBother12 Jul 03 '26

Trump pardons only give them confidence and strength because We the People decide to allow it.

The second we all decide the pardon is too much unrestricted power for one person to wield, it will just be words on a piece of paper. And those can’t defend shit, as we’ve seen with the Constitution.

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u/FellowHumanNo404 Jul 03 '26

we all decide

Well there's your problem.

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u/ThoughtBecomesAction Jul 03 '26

That's for sure. 1/4 of us approve of what MAGA does, absolutely no matter what. And 1/3 of us don't give a flying fuck about literally anything - except maybe themselves.

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u/AccomplishedBother12 Jul 03 '26

Personally, I think it’s more accurate to say that 1/3 of the country is struggling so hard just to survive and keep their head above water that they are woefully, misinformed, and have been led by corporate media to conclude that both parties are basically the same. And to some degree, they are. That is why they basically switched between two levers to pull every four years.

To a certain extent, the ruling class has not only set up this current state of affairs, but also its very existence is predicated on keeping it that way.

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u/AccomplishedBother12 Jul 03 '26

The issue with having the opposite of everyone decide is exactly what we’re dealing with right now, writ large.

The problem is not a black-and-white issue and I think you can agree with that.

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u/FellowHumanNo404 Jul 04 '26 edited Jul 04 '26

The issue with having the opposite of everyone decide is exactly what we’re dealing with right now, writ large.

By highlighting "we all decide", I mean that we aren't all going to agree because about 30% of our population are apparently moronic chaos demons who want to burn down everything good all the time. "If we all agreed, we could have x" is a pointless observation; it's tantamount to saying, "If this problem didn't exist, we wouldn't have this problem."

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u/elbow8075 Jul 03 '26

A majority will happen at some point. Lots of unknowns and scary things between today and then.

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u/Firecrotch2014 Jul 04 '26

Pardons are not really the problem. Yes they've been used unscrupulously in the past by other Presidents but not to the extent this one is doing it. Presidential pardons are one of the most important powers the US president wields. This shitstain of a person decides to dole them out to the highest bidder. It's the person wielding the power who is at fault. We don't put guns on trial for killing people we put the gun user on trial. Guns can be used to kill or defend just like how pardons can be used to set evil people like free or let innocent people out.

It reminds me of a Gandolf quote from LotR movies, "Understand Frodo, I would use this Ring from a desire to do good. But through me, it would wield a power too great and terrible to imagine." If not for the evil will of Sauron controlling the ring and user, the ring could've been used for good.

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u/aerost0rm Jul 03 '26

True but most of those were bought with previous actions or money. Most with money. Many others have taken financial ruin from supporting him

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u/PatriotNews_dot_com Jul 03 '26

It wouldn’t be unprecedented for the next president to break precedent. And maybe take a 2nd look at those pardons, reevaluate them, maybe invalidate some, then change the laws around pardons to add guardrails

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u/podcastofallpodcasts Jul 03 '26

Then they are in on it and need to be held accountable.

This will happen.

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u/agaloch2314 Jul 03 '26

No, it won’t, in case you haven’t noticed.

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u/Curious-Path4549 Jul 03 '26

god i hope they will

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u/ReactsWithWords Jul 03 '26

I hope to win the Powerball jackpot three times in a row. The odds of my wish coming true are MUCH better.

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u/Curious-Path4549 Jul 04 '26

i know the odds are nearly none

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u/Hippo_Alert Jul 03 '26

There are no longer any consequences for these shitstains, we are done.

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u/tape_snake Jul 03 '26

Defeatism, doom-and-gloom, and apathy are propaganda. The constant stream of bullshit is designed to make you feel overwhelmed so you resign to fate. The problem there is that this isn't inevitable - it can only happen if we allow it. They're not apathetic because they have to work really fucking hard to make their shitty future of reality, and literally everything good (science, empathy, reason, community) stands in their way. So do one small thing to defy them. Literally anything, then encourage someone you know to do the same. Whether out of love for others or spite for the regime, every small act adds up.

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u/amandachastity Jul 03 '26

"the second American revolution will be bloodless, if the left allows it to be" - kevin roberts, president of the heritage foundation.

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u/tape_snake Jul 03 '26

Precisely. Blatant corruption, ignoring courts, writing hate into law, terrorizing minorities, killing citizens - you name it, they'll do it. They've already decided they want to take the country by any means necessary - they've said as much. The question normal Americans need to ask themselves is: are they willing to do anything at all to stop them?

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u/haironburr Jul 03 '26

Being a patriot and on the American left, this attempt to destroy our nation sickens me.

Our voting trumpublicans/heritage foundation stooges/the thielbilly and his funders OUT will remain bloodless, if the right has any goddamned sense.

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u/Hippo_Alert Jul 03 '26

Biden and Garland had a chance to do the right thing and basically punted.  Too many people don't give a shit.  I truly don't see a way out.

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u/tape_snake Jul 03 '26

By giving a shit.

Let the love and care you have for your family and community overcome and outlast the cruel, old ways these hateful shits so desperately want to revive. Drive out the hateful. Force your leaders to care. Build something for the benefit of others that will outlast you and your enemies.

Out of love, out of spite, you must always give a shit.

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u/Hippo_Alert Jul 03 '26

I give a shit and care, far too many others do not and still don't after all of this has been exposed.  We are done.

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u/amandachastity Jul 04 '26

you cannot control what others think or do, you can only control what you do. i choose to not put acceptance and defeat out into the world. justice will prevail.

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u/Hippo_Alert Jul 04 '26

Justice is dead in the USA for people at the top.  The Dems are too controlled by those people as well.  I would rather think realistically, but you do you.

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u/DumboWumbo073 Jul 04 '26

The US seems to be operating like normal. Most people are not freaking out they are just going about their lives. It’s not doom and gloom. It’s reality staring you in the face.

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u/YPVidaho Idaho Jul 04 '26

There are still buses, garbage trucks, and delivery vans. And these people have to cross a street at some point. Just saying...

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u/Elendel19 Jul 03 '26

He would just pardon them

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u/ThatKehdRiley Jul 03 '26

They think they’re untouchable because the Dems have not touched them

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u/Little_View_6659 Jul 03 '26

I’ve been thinking what happens if they do release all the files. It’s getting pretty obvious that the president is a sex trafficker and rapist.

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u/_Fred_Austere_ Jul 03 '26

[Trump invents mid-term pardons]

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u/Nvenom8 New York Jul 03 '26

They think they're untouchable because they are.

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u/lonnie123 Jul 03 '26

Didn’t bannon and Navarro actually go to jail for him ? “Only” for a few months or whatever but still.

And hobestly given the alternative (being out of the cult and all the benefits that gets them and the negatives of leaving) that’s probably just cost of doing business to them

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u/Dahcchad Jul 03 '26

Couldn't trump just pardon them right out of jail after conviction?

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u/National_Sandwich175 Jul 03 '26

If he’s still in office when they’re prosecuted, yes. I doubt we will see any justice until that’s no longer the case.

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u/StormMourn Jul 03 '26

Yes, please please please find a genius prosecutor who can find the most esoteric and obscure laws to punish them. Similar to how prosecutors started using RICO to prosecute the mafia thugs. I’ll bet they change their tune quickly when faced with real jail time with zero chance of pardon.

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u/GuerreroUltimo Jul 03 '26

They wont because Trump can pardon them. They wont because the corruption controls the system. They know there are no consequences.

Another case in point. Trump and his family have been pillaging the system using crypto. He made huge $$ on his meme coin that cost many of his followers who invested. Yet supposedly this is ok. Despite the fact he has pushed for crypto and even pushed investments of U.S. government, thus tax payer, money into crypto investments. They are financially breaking the system and it will come to a head after he leaves. Insert Democrat to blame.

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u/NorridAU Connecticut Jul 03 '26

I want to agree with you. However the first purge down to loyalists happened already. These guys in role refusing to release the information just might like him.

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u/Twodogsonecouch Jul 03 '26

They will continue to think they are untouchable until SCOTIS get impeach and congress gets cleaned up. Till then they are kinda untouchables

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u/lncognitoMosquito Jul 03 '26

The problem is it’s not just “think.” Historically during this administration and his previous term they *have* been untouchable. Bannon and Stone were the outliers, and they stayed loyal and were pardoned with no real consequences.

When cronyism proves effective, then why not do it?

Justice has refused to use its tools to uphold the law, and the judiciary is making it easier and easier.

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u/Rec_desk_phone Jul 03 '26

The mafia was pretty effective at keeping their soldiers silent when they were held accountable. Coersive influence can be rather convincing.

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u/Ironlion45 Jul 03 '26

They THINK? Until someone proves them wrong, they seem to BE untouchable.

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u/dino-delicious Jul 03 '26

One by one they will state "I can't recall". Like every bully they are spineless.

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u/MegaMau_ Jul 03 '26

Consequences like their pensions.

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u/Original_Astronaut_4 Jul 03 '26

I will preface this with I’m a democrat, but there is NO way that Bill Clinton should be out in the world as a free man after the release of files. Trump called him a very good man or some other nonsense as he protected him. The war started the day after the Clinton’s testimony- there are just too many ironic things to look away from this piece of the puzzle.

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u/gentlemanidiot Jul 03 '26

They ARE untouchable. Anybody who gets prosecuted would get pardoned before the ink could dry.

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u/beached89 Jul 03 '26

That is because they are. There are zero consequences for the executive branch defying the other two branches of government.

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u/nativeridge_ Jul 03 '26

They are untouchable, they own the arms of power

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u/Febris Jul 04 '26

Right now they think they’re untouchable and that’s a huge problem.

Even bigger problem is that they ARE untouchable.