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Rachel Maddow considering the tradition associated with the State of the Union address in which one member of the president's Cabinet does not attend the event in case something happens that prevents everyone in attendance at the speech who would ordinarily be part of the presidential succession from being able to serve. But in Donald Trump's case, his Cabinet is so full of scandal and disgrace, designating a survivor seems impossible. Rep. Pat Ryan discusses rallying local resistance against Donald Trump's planned network of ICE prisons. Rachel Maddow reports on an important sign of light for the rule of law: federal judges losing patience with Donald Trump's Department of Justice for repeatedly defying orders, particularly in immigration cases. Want more of Rachel? Check out the "Rachel Maddow Presents" feed to listen to all of her chart-topping original podcasts.To listen to all of your favorite MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Liz Oyer joins Joanna Coles to expose what she calls Donald Trump's “pardon economy”—a system that has transformed presidential mercy into something transactional and lucrative. Oyer, the former pardon attorney under Joe Biden, walks through the eye-popping cases: reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley freed after serving just 18 months; crypto titan Changpeng “CZ” Zhao pardoned after brokering billions into the Trump family's crypto venture; electric truck founder Trevor Milton absolved before paying back investors; and even former Honduran president Juan Orlando Hernández released despite a 45-year sentence for massive cocaine trafficking. Along the way, they examine the erased restitution—over a billion dollars owed to victims—golf-course clemency pitches, surprise NFL pardons, and the political fallout inside Trump's own Justice Department. If pardons are, as one scholar puts it, an X-ray into a president's soul, what does this one reveal about Trump's second term—and who benefits next? Sign up for Joanna's new Substack here: https://beast.pub/scream Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Monday, February 23, 2026 In this episode: The European Union demanded that the U.S. honor last summer's EU-U.S. trade deal, saying “a deal is a deal,” after the Supreme Court struck down Trump's emergency tariffs and he moved to replace them with new, temporary global levies; U.S. economic growth slowed in the fourth quarter, with real GDP up at a 1.4% annual rate; a federal judge permanently blocked the Justice Department from releasing Volume II of former special counsel Jack Smith's final report on Trump's handling of classified records at Mar-a-Lago; the Supreme Court agreed to hear an appeal from Exxon Mobil and Suncor Energy that could decide whether cities and states can sue fossil fuel companies for climate-damages in state court under state law; 32% of Americans said Trump has had the right priorities, while 68% said he hasn't paid enough attention to the country's most important problems; and 39% of Americans said they approve of Trump's job performance, while 60% said they disapprove. Read more: Day 1861: "Obnoxious." Newsletter: Get the daily edition of WTFJHT in your inbox Feedback? Let me know what you think AI Policy: My AI policy
Mea Culpa welcomes Joe Walsh, a conservative republican and former Congressman who once ran for president and then blew up his life when he spoke out against the MAGA cult. Joe and I spend the next hour debating our differences, and how democrats need to learn to fight if we are going to hold onto the democracy and get America back on track.
Dr. John Gartner joins Joanna Coles for a bracing deep dive into what he argues are the accelerating signs of cognitive and behavioral decline in Donald Trump—from garbled words and meandering stories to grandiosity, paranoia, and the spectacle of falling asleep at his newly formed Board of Peace. As they dissect Trump's escalator conspiracy tale, obsession with looks, fixation on naming landmarks after himself, and late-night social media tirades, the conversation widens to the real stakes: nuclear codes, Middle East brinkmanship, the midterms, and what Dr. Gartner calls the dangerous mix of narcissistic injury and unchecked power. With references to Greenland, Gaza, Iran, the Justice Department, and even the shadow of the Epstein files, Coles presses on whether any institutional guardrails still hold—or whether impulse now drives policy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In a live conversation on YouTube, Lawfare Editor in Chief Benjamin Wittes sat down with Lawfare Senior Editors Eric Columbus, Roger Parloff, and Anna Bower, Lawfare Public Service Fellow Troy Edwards, and Lawfare Student Contributor Peyton Baker to discuss the arraignment of Don Lemon and his co-defendants in Minnesota, affidavits released for the FBI search of Fulton County, the Justice Department's attempt to wipe out Steve Bannon's conviction, and more.You can find information on legal challenges to Trump administration actions here. And check out Lawfare's new homepage on the litigation, new Bluesky account, and new WITOAD merch.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
We are seeing repercussions around the world as a result of the release of even just some of the Epstein files. There are criminal investigations underweight in multiple countries. In the United Kingdom a UK ambassador to the US has had multiple search warrants executed on his properties. A former prince has been placed under arrest. Yet here in the United States, from our Department of Justice we get crickets and coverups.Covering up the crimes of others constitutes a crime itself, accessory after the fact, as Glenn explains.Find Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft and a leading global philanthropist, withdrew from delivering his scheduled keynote address at the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi just hours before he was set to speak. The Gates Foundation issued a statement saying the decision was made “to ensure the focus remains on the AI Summit's key priorities,” and Ankur Vora, president of the foundation's Africa and India offices, delivered the address in his place. Gates had been initially confirmed and was in India ahead of the event, which was designed to position India as a hub for artificial intelligence development and governance.The sudden cancellation came amid heightened scrutiny over Gates's past interactions with the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein after recently released U.S. Justice Department documents included emails involving Gates Foundation staff and Epstein. Although Gates denies any impropriety and says he regretted associating with Epstein, the controversy drew significant attention in Indian media and public debate in the lead-up to the summit. Some commentators linked the timing of his withdrawal to that controversy, even as summit organizers and Indian officials did not directly tie the decision to the Epstein files.to c ontact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Bill Gates cancels AI summit keynote address amid scrutiny over Epstein links | CNN
We are seeing repercussions around the world as a result of the release of even just some of the Epstein files. There are criminal investigations underweight in multiple countries. In the United Kingdom a UK ambassador to the US has had multiple search warrants executed on his properties. A former prince has been placed under arrest. Yet here in the United States, from our Department of Justice we get crickets and coverups.Covering up the crimes of others constitutes a crime itself, accessory after the fact, as Glenn explains.Find Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals sets arguments for late June in the bid to release Volume II of Jack Smith's final report. A Minnesota judge holds a justice department attorney in contempt for failing to comply with a court order. Some leading defense lawyers have created a tool to track Justice Department cases that involve irregular charging practices. The Justice Department acknowledges violating dozens of recent court orders in New Jersey. Plus listener questions… Do you have questions for the pod? https://formfacade.com/sm/PTk_BSogJ Thank you CB Distillery! Use promo code UNJUST at http://CBDistillery.com for 25% off your purchase. Specific product availability depends on individual state regulations. Follow AG Substack|MuellershewroteBlueSky|@muellershewroteAndrew McCabe isn't on social media, but you can buy his book The ThreatThe Threat: How the FBI Protects America in the Age of Terror and Trump Questions for the pod?https://formfacade.com/sm/PTk_BSogJ We would like to know more about our listeners. Please participate in this brief surveyListener Survey and CommentsThis Show is Available Ad-Free And Early For Patreon and Supercast Supporters at the Justice Enforcers level and above:https://dailybeans.supercast.techOrhttps://patreon.com/thedailybeansOr when you subscribe on Apple Podcastshttps://apple.co/3YNpW3P Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Victims of Jeffrey Epstein say the historic arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the brother of King Charles III, is a step in the right direction. But high-profile figures in the US still have not faced similar consequences, weeks after the Justice Department released more than 3 million documents related to the late financier and convicted sex offender. We hear from a group of survivors who say this feels like the beginning of the story, not the end. For more: ‘This is not over.' Corporate America's Epstein reckoning gathers steam --- Guest: MJ Lee, CNN Senior National Enterprise Correspondent Host: David Rind Producer: Paola Ortiz Senior Producer: Faiz Jamil Showrunner: Felicia Patinkin Editorial Support: Nicky Robertson Photo: Kent Nishimura/Reuters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jonah Goldberg, about to escape the icy north for some sun-soaked R&R, is feeling boisterous. After reveling in his new favorite art form—Donald Trump's “Truths” set to music—Jonah piles on Jesse Jackson, Iran, the Justice Department, Napoleon III, and Notre Dame, crescendoing with his critique of “white culture” and right-wing identity politics. Shownotes:—Jonah on CNN's The Arena talking smack about sleazy democrats—Financial Times—“Why Iran is betting on war”—Nick Catoggio's Boiling Frogs on Trump and Iran—Jonah on the Sam Harris podcast—The Remnant with Ken Pollack—The Remnant with Eli Lake—Jonah's book Liberal Fascism—Jonah's “white culture” G-File—Bo Winegard's defense of white culture—Jonah's takedown of Jamelle Bouie in National Review The Remnant is a production of The Dispatch, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a non-partisan, conservative perspective. To access all of The Dispatch's offerings—including access to all of Jonah's G-File newsletters—click here. If you'd like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member by clicking here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On our radar this week… “The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.” George Orwell wrote those words 76 years ago in “1984” – seemingly the operating manual for Donald Trump's administration. In fact, Trump used those exact words in a campaign speech and has lived by them ever since. George Orwell also wrote: “Every record has been destroyed or falsified, every book rewritten, every picture has been repainted, every statue and street building has been renamed, every date has been altered. And the process is continuing day by day and minute by minute. History has stopped. Nothing exists except an endless present in which the Party is always right.” Every day is an exercise in taking attention away from the growing coverup of the Epstein files and financial corruption, with Trump apparently terrified that his sordid decades-long history as a sexual predator will finally catch up with him. It's a stark contrast with England, where the Andrew formerly known as “Prince” is celebrated his 66th birthday in police custody as England actually holds the powerful accountable for the Epstein-led sexual abuse of children, while in Epstein's home country the White House continues to coverup the crimes of the rich and powerful … very possibly a group that includes Trump. Case in point: the Department of Justice spoke four separate times to a woman who credibly accused Donald Trump of having sex with a 13-year-old he met through Jeffrey Epstein—but most accusations against the president appear to have been removed from the government's documents on the alleged sex trafficker. A part of Trump's defense is also right out of “1984”: “Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past.” That means silencing his critics including the late night comedians who, in the tradition of Will Rogers, lampoon him non-stop. But the tactic is backfiring: Kimmel's banishment lasted a few days, and Stephen Colbert has become even more focused in the last weeks of his days on CBS. The made-for-YouTube video of Colbert with Texas Senate candidate James Talarico has racked up more than 7.5 million views which is triple the Colbert TV show ratings. And Talarico raised a staggering $2.5-million in the day following the incident. Trump wants everything possible named after him. Now, he apparently wants to profit from those efforts: his company has filed papers to trademark use of his name at airports even as his Florida fans in the state's legislature pass a bill to rename Palm Beach International Airport in his honor and he pressures Congress to rename Dulles Airport. If signed into law, the Palm Beach International change would cost the airport $5.5 million to remake signs, uniforms, promotional products, equipment, and more, according to Palm Beach County's department of airports. Also on our radar The Supreme Court kicked off another Trump tantrum by axing his tariffs. The war between Dozing Donald and the court he thought he controlled is now started. Trump got a little nap time during the initial meeting of his made-up Institute for Peace, nodding off repeatedly in front of the world leaders who had ponied up the $1-billion membership fee. Before nap time, Trump pledged a $10-billion U.S. contribution to what amounts to his personal slush fund – ignoring the constitutional requirement that spending needed to be authorized by Congress. Governor Whitmer attended the Munich International Security Conference. At the conference, she joined AOC, and Trump's NATO ambassador on a panel discussion where she was highly critical of Trump's economic war with Canada has driven our neighbors to the north to get cozy with China. Independent gubernatorial candidate Mike Duggan has a new problem. His campaign claimed union endorsements he hasn't received. It's a near certainty that the Service Employees International Union and the United Auto Workers will ultimately endorse Jocelyn Benson. Benson, meanwhile, picked up the endorsement of the Michigan Nurses Association. Mark has a new neighbor. ICE has opened a regional headquarters next door to my office … and also is opening a detention center in Romulus. Nobody's happy about this except Stephen Miller. Is this a staging area for masked ICE agents outside Democratic-leaning voting sites in southeast Michigan this November? And we can't unwatch the incredibly insane 90-second, taxpayer-funded video of RFK Jr. and Kid Rock flexing and sweating, apparently to promote physical fitness. RFK thankfully did not include snorting cocaine from toilet seats as part of his workout regimen. On a far more serious note, we recognize the unique contributions of two men we lost this week: the internationally known Rev. Jesse Jackson, and one of the “good guys” who made Michigan State government work better over his decades of service, our friend Bill Gnodtke. On Tuesday, west Michigan Congresswoman Hilary Scholten went inside an ICE concentration camp. Scholten, who was an immigration attorney before being elected to Congress, joins this week’s conversation. Congresswoman Scholten is a fourth-generation West Michigander. Prior to her election in 2022 she was an immigration attorney who served in the U.S. Department of Justice. Scholten began her own career as a social worker, working with people affected by issues of housing and homelessness. During this time, she worked with individuals in the LGBTQ community who were facing homelessness and housing insecurity—often because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. Congresswoman Scholten obtained her law degree from the University of Maryland Thurgood Marshall School of Law, and then went on to clerk for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in their special unit focused on immigration issues. Following her clerkship, she joined the Justice Department through the Attorney General Honors Program, where she continued to work on matters of immigration and civil rights. In Congress she serves on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the House Committee on Small Business. We’re now on YouTube every week! Click here to subscribe. A Republic, If You Can Keep It is sponsored by ©Clay Jones/claytooz.com
A.M. Edition for Feb. 20. Authorities from France, Norway, the U.K. and elsewhere across Europe are investigating evidence of potential crimes within recently-released Jeffrey Epstein files, while Justice Department officials say those documents warrant no further prosecutions. WSJ reporter Matthew Dalton breaks down their differing approaches. Plus, warning signs from the private-credit market invite comparisons to the runup to the global financial crisis. And President Trump orders the release of government files on UFOs after former President Obama says aliens exist. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We all know that the dreaded State of the Union address is coming up on February 24th, where Donald Trump will spew his lies into the public square and slur his way through endless insults and grievances.But guess what? You don't have to subject yourself to it. There is some great, pro-democracy counter-programming scheduled. It's called the State of the Swamp event in DC and it's being put on by Miles Taylor and defiance.org.Here's a quick conversation with Miles Taylor about the upcoming event.You can livestream the event for free, just go to: defiance.org.Find Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
After British police arrested the former Prince Andrew in connection with revelations involving Jeffrey Epstein, a reporter asked Donald Trump directly if anyone will face accountability in the United States. Trump rambled and rambled, insisting he had been “totally exonerated.” That's not true, but regardless, Trump could not explain why accountability is happening in other countries, but not in ours. He also had nothing whatsoever to say about whether his Justice Department will ever seek accountability for any elites implicated in the scandal. Meanwhile, MAGA figures are raging over the latest Epstein-file revelations and demanding exactly the accountability that is not forthcoming from DOJ. We talked to Nicole Hemmer, author of good books about the conservative movement and about the right wing media. She explains why Trump has not been exonerated, how the latest in this scandal is causing MAGA to crack up, what all this reveals about supposed Trump-MAGA hatred of “elites,” and what the prospects are for genuine accountability. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In a rare admission of misconduct under his watch, Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons announced that two ICE agents are being investigated for lying under oath about their shooting of a Venezuelan immigrant in Minneapolis last month. The Justice Department and ICE initiated the internal investigation after reviewing video footage that contradicted the agents' story. Asha and Renato discuss whether there's been a cultural shift into lawlessness at ICE or if the incident is the result of reportedly super lax vetting of recruits to the agency. Plus, they talk about Fulton County's new motion in the Georgia election ballots case and the county's claim that an FBI agent's affidavit to get the search warrant was misleading, false and omitted material facts. Renato and Asha review the standards for a search warrant affidavit and how the FBI agent in this case may have put his career on the line if Fulton County's allegations turn out to be true. Finally, they analyze Attorney General Pam Bondi's outrageous testimony at last week's Congressional hearing and the stunning revelation that the DOJ is tracking lawmakers' searches of the Epstein files database. Tune in! It's Complicated Cruise 2026: https://www.travelstore.com/group-travel/its-complicated-cruise-2026/ Asha Substack: https://asharangappa.substack.com/ Subscribe to our podcast: https://link.chtbl.com/its-complicated Follow Asha on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/asharangappa.bsky.social Follow Renato on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/renatomariotti.bsky.social Follow Asha on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asha.rangappa/ Follow Renato on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renato.mariotti/ Cruise with us! https://www.travelstore.com/group-travel/its-complicated-cruise-2026/ Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@LegalAFMTN?sub_confirmation=1 Become a member of Legal AF YouTube community: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJgZJZZbnLFPr5GJdCuIwpA/join Become a member of the Legal AF Substack: https://michaelpopok.substack.com/20off Follow Legal AF on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/legalafmtn.bsky.social Follow Michael Popok on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mspopok.bsky.social Subscribe to the Legal AF podcast feed here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/legal-af-by-meidastouch/id1580828595 Subscribe to the Intersection with Michael Popok podcast feed here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-intersection-with-michael-popok/id1818863274 Subscribe to Unprecedented with Michael Popok and Dina Doll podcast feed here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unprecedented-by-legal-af/id1867023089 Subscribe to Court of History with Sidney Blumenthal and Sean Wilentz podcast feed here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-court-of-history/id1867022920 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sky and Amanda Roberts, brother and sister-in-law of Virginia Roberts Giuffre, react to the news of the arrest of former Prince Andrew. Virginia Roberts Giuffre's photo with Andrew, the man she accused of participating in her abuse at the hands of Jeffrey Epstein, became one of the most recognizable pieces of evidence in her advocacy for justice for her fellow survivors of Epstein's abuse. Rep. Ro Khanna joins to discuss a new deposition given by Les Wexner, a close associate of Jeffrey Epstein, and why Donald Trump's Justice Department hasn't taken any action on Epstein's associates the way other countries have since the release of millions of Epstein files. Susan Rice, former national security advisor and former U.S. ambassador to the U.N., talks with Jen Psaki about Donald Trump's latest pseudo-governmental vanity project, the "Board of Peace," and Trump's dubious appropriation of $10 billion from U.S. taxpayers for the project. House Democratic Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries talks with Jen Psaki about the upcoming midterm elections. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Independent investigative journalism, broadcasting, trouble-making and muckraking with Brad Friedman of BradBlog.com
The scary (Dystopia)Microsoft AI chief gives it 18 months—for all white-collar work to be automated by AIAI Will Destroy Millions of White Collars Jobs in the Coming Months, Andrew Yang Warns, Driving Surge of Personal BankruptciesRing cancels Flock deal after dystopian Super Bowl ad prompts mass outrageAmazon and Flock Safety have ended a partnership that would've given law enforcement access to a vast web of Ring cameras. The decision came after Amazon faced substantial backlash for airing a Super Bowl ad that was meant to be warm and fuzzy, but instead came across as disturbing and dystopian.Ring's Founder Knows You Hated That Super Bowl Ad. Since the commercial aired, Jamie Siminoff has been trying to quell an outcry over privacy concerns with his doorbell cameras.Platforms bend over backward to help DHS censor ICE critics, advocates say MMAnthropic is clashing with the Pentagon over AI useAnthropic's relationship with the Department of Defense is “under review” as the two sides negotiate over how the company's AI models can be used.The startup wants assurance that its models will not be used for autonomous weapons or mass surveillance.The DOD wants to use Anthropic's models “for all lawful use cases” without limitationDavid Sacks, the venture capitalist serving as the administration's AI and crypto czar, has accused Anthropic of supporting “woke AI” because of its stance on regulation.Our Big Data OverlordsMeta Begins $65 Million Election Push to Advance A.I. AgendaMark Zuckerberg faces jury in landmark trial over alleged youth harm linked to social mediaThe lawsuit, K.G.M. v. Meta Platforms, Inc., et al., was filed by a 20-year-old California woman identified by her initials. She alleges that Meta and other tech companies deliberately engineered their platforms to hook young users, contributing to her depression and suicidal thoughts, and seeks to hold them accountable.Regarding Instagram's enforcement efforts, plaintiffs asked whether Meta removed all 4 million under-13 users the company had identified on the platform in 2018. Zuckerberg responded that while the company did not remove all of them, it had implemented tools to detect and address underage accounts and was working to improve those systems.According to reports, Zuckerberg has not directly answered the central question of the case: whether Instagram is addictive. The plaintiff's attorney, Mark Lanier, asked if people tend to use something more if it's addictive. “I'm not sure what to say to that,” Zuckerberg said. “I don't think that applies here.”He said he believes in the “basic assumption” that “if something is valuable, people will use it more because it's useful to them.”When he was asked about his compensation, Zuckerberg said he has pledged to give “almost all” of his money to charity, focusing on scientific research. Lanier asked him how much money he has pledged to victims impacted by social media, to which Zuckerberg replied, “I disagree with the characterization of your question.”Zuckerberg's courthouse entourage showed up in Meta Ray-BansMeta Adding Facial Recognition to Its Smart Glasses That Identifies People in Real Time, Hoping the Public Is Too Distracted by Political Turmoil to Care MMApple sued by West Virginia for alleged failure to stop child sexual abuse material on iCloud, iOS devicesSpaceX said to weigh dual-class IPO shares to empower MuskMacron Blasts Social Media's Free Speech Defense as ‘Bullshit'The stupid (ESG edition)Goldman Sachs to Drop D.E.I. Criteria for Board Members MMThe move would be the Wall Street firm's latest retreat from diversity mandates that its chief executive, David Solomon, had once made a priority.The decision is a result of a deal that Goldman struck with the National Legal and Policy Center, a conservative nonprofit group that has been pressuring numerous companies to drop diversity, equity and inclusion mandates, the people said.As part of its agreement with Goldman, the National Legal and Policy Center, which has a small investment in the bank, withdrew a shareholder proposal demanding that diversity criteria for the board be dropped.In March 2019, Mr. Solomon, his top deputy John Waldron and the firm's chief financial officer at the time, Stephen M. Scherr, declared diversity and inclusion “a top priority.”“When we unite around a common goal, we make progress together,” the men wrote in an email to the staff. They said they would “improve each year” toward goals that included a new recruiting class comprising “50 percent women, 11 percent Black professionals and 14 percent Hispanic/Latino professionals in the Americas, and 9 percent Black professionals in the U.K.”The next year, Mr. Solomon said Goldman would no longer take a company public in the United States or Europe unless it had at least one “diverse” board member. By 2021, a company would need at least two diverse board members in order for Goldman to agree to work on its initial public offering.Inspire Investing CEO: Nike's DEI Is A Legal Liability, Shareholders Coming For AnswersNike's DEI fight is no longer just a social media "culture war" argument. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is investigating Nike over allegations the company's DEI practices discriminated against white employees and job applicants.Robert Netzly, CEO of Inspire Investing: "Discrimination, whether it's black people or white people, gay people or straight people, is discrimination."Robert Netzly is a globally recognized authority in the Biblically Responsible Investing (BRI) movement, author of the book "Biblically Responsible Investing: On Wall Street As It Is In Heaven." Robert holds a B.S. degree in Liberal Studies from an online university. This article was from OutKick, which aims to expose the destructive nature of "woke" activism and is the antidote to the mainstream sports media that often serves an elite, left-leaning minority instead of the American sports fan. OutKick is owned by Fox Sports' parent company Fox CorporationFederal agency sues Coca-Cola bottler over work event that excluded menA Coca-Cola distributor and bottler is being sued for alleged sexual discrimination over a corporate networking event that excluded men, announced the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which filed the lawsuitAccording to the EEOC's lawsuit, in September 2024, Bedford, N.H.-headquartered Coca-Cola Northeast held a two-day employer-sponsored trip and networking event at the Mohegan Sun Casino and Resort in Connecticut. Coca-Cola Northeast privately invited female employees and then excused the female employees who attended the event from their normal work duties on Sept. 10 and 11, 2024, and paid them their normal salary or wages without requiring them to use vacation or other paid time off. Coca-Cola Northeast did not invite any male employees to the event.Trump revokes landmark ruling that greenhouse gases endanger public healthUS President Donald Trump has reversed a key Obama-era scientific ruling that underpins all federal actions on curbing planet-warming gases.The so-called 2009 "endangerment finding" concluded that a range of greenhouse gases were a threat to public health. It's become the legal bedrock of federal efforts to rein in emissions, especially in vehicles.Bill Maher Eviscerates Donald Trump Over ‘Biggest Dick Move in American History'The boring (ESG edition)Starbucks' investor group urges shareholders to replace directors over labor rowStarbucks faced fresh pressure on Wednesday from a coalition of investors including public-sector pension funds that urged shareholders to vote against the reelection of two directors, citing persistent failure to manage labor relations.The move against Starbucks' lead independent director, Jorgen Vig Knudstorp, and Beth Ford, chair of the board's Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, comes as the company is locked in a prolonged effort to reach a collective agreement with its unionized baristas.Companies are cycling through CEOs—and replacing them with first-timers MMSome 168 new CEOs were appointed in 2025, the highest total since 2010. The defining shift was who got the job. Among incoming CEOs, 84% were serving in their first enterprise CEO role, reversing a multi-year tilt toward leaders with prior public-company experience.As recently as 2024, more than one in five new CEOs had already led a public company. That share fell sharply in 2025. Of the 140 first-time CEOs appointed, 116 had no prior enterprise CEO experience. Two-thirds had never served on a public company board, meaning many are stepping into the role without prior exposure to shareholder oversight or public company governance.CEO hopefuls have a new rival for the top job: their own board directorsAppointing board directors as CEOs was once a “break glass in case of emergency” strategy reserved for scandal, illness, or sudden resignation. While it remains a minority path compared with traditional internal promotions, it is no longer an anomaly.New data from Spencer Stuart highlights the shift. Of the 168 new S&P 1500 chief executives appointed in 2025, the highest annual total since 2010, 19 were drawn from their own company boards, the most since 2020. Spencer Stuart classifies directors as outsiders because they lack day-to-day operating responsibility. Even so, more boards are turning to them.Wall Street banks are paying their CEOs like it's 2006 againMorgan Stanley CEO Ted Pick's pay rises 32% to $45mlnBank of America Lifts Moynihan's Pay 17% to $41 Million for 2025Barclays Ceo Pay Hike: Barclays lifts CEO Venkatakrishnan's pay to over £15 million as bonus pool risesCitigroup bumps CEO Jane Fraser's pay to record $59mBro Culture (The Epstein Edition)Thomas Pritzker, Named in Epstein Files, Retires as Hyatt Executive ChairmanTom Pritzker Retires as Executive Chairman of Hyatt After 22 Years of Service and Will Not Stand for Reelection to Board of DirectorsThe Board has appointed Mark S. Hoplamazian, Hyatt's President and Chief Executive Officer, to succeed Mr. Pritzker as Chairman of the Board“Tom's leadership has been instrumental in shaping Hyatt's strategy and long-term growth, and we thank him for his service and dedication to Hyatt,” said Richard Tuttle, Chair of the Board's Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. “The Board has engaged in thoughtful succession planning, and we are confident that Mark's deep knowledge of Hyatt's business, strong relationships with owners and colleagues, and proven track record as CEO of nearly two decades positions him well to serve as Chairman and continue driving Hyatt's long-term success.”In a letter to the Hyatt Hotels' Board of Directors, Tom Pritzker wrote, “My job and responsibility is to provide good stewardship. That is important to me. Good stewardship includes ensuring a proper transition at Hyatt. Following discussions with my fellow Board members, I have decided, after serving as Executive Chairman since 2004, and with the company in a strong position, that now is the right time for me to retire from Hyatt. Good stewardship also means protecting Hyatt, particularly in the context of my association with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, which I deeply regret. I exercised terrible judgment in maintaining contact with them, and there is no excuse for failing to distance myself sooner. I condemn the actions and the harm caused by Epstein and Maxwell, and I feel deep sorrow for the pain they inflicted on their victims.”Dubai's DP World replaces CEO after Epstein links emergeDubai's DP World announced Essa Kazim was the new chairman of its board of directors and Yuvraj Narayan was its new group chief executive officer, replacing Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem.Sulayem had been the CEO of Dubai's largest port operator since 2016 and chairman since 2007.DOJ records showed years of exchanges with Epstein, but Sulayem has not been accused of any criminal wrongdoing.Casey Wasserman to sell talent agency following Jefferey Epstein controversyCasey Wasserman has confirmed that he has started the process of selling his talent agency after it was uncovered that he had ties with Jefferey Epstein. The announcement comes as artists began to leave the agency after it was uncovered that the Wasserman CEO had extensive ties with Jeffrey Epstein and had sent flirtatious emails to Ghislaine Maxwell. Despite denying that he had any personal or business ties with either, Wasserman sent an apology to the 4,000 employees who work at his sports marketing and talent agency, confirming that he would be stepping down from the company. He said: “I'm deeply sorry that my past personal mistakes have caused you so much discomfort […] It's not fair to you, and it's not fair to the clients and partners we represent so vigorously and care so deeply about.”Former Victoria's Secret CEO Les Wexner testifies in House Epstein investigationThe billionaire behind the retail empire that once blanketed shopping malls with names such as Victoria's Secret and Abercrombie & Fitch told members of Congress on Wednesday that he was “duped by a world-class con man” — close financial adviser Jeffrey Epstein. Les Wexner also denied knowing about the late sex offender's crimes or participating in Epstein's abuse of girls and young women.“I was naive, foolish, and gullible to put any trust in Jeffrey Epstein. He was a con man. And while I was conned, I have done nothing wrong and have nothing to hide.”Wexner described himself to the lawmakers as a philanthropist, community builder and grandfather who always strove “to live my life in an ethical manner in line with my moral compass,” according to the statement.Top Goldman Sachs lawyer Kathy Ruemmler to resign over Epstein linksThe latest Justice Department release revealed a trove of communication between the two, including about potential jobs, her romantic life and gifts Epstein had given her. (She called him “sweetie” and “Uncle Jeffrey.”)Goldman's CEO David Solomon says he 'reluctantly' let top lawyer Kathy Ruemmler go after Epstein fallout MMKing Charles' brother Andrew arrested on suspicion of misconductWhite House Shrugs Off Lutnick's Epstein TiesCommerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has acknowledged traveling to Jeffrey Epstein's island and meeting him on another occasion.Elon's bro quits Burning Man board amid outrage over Epstein connectionBlowhard IndexSalesforce cofounder 'not OK' with Benioff's ICE crack: 'Marc made a very bad joke.'The comments occurred during a keynote address at the company's annual internal "Company Kickoff" (CKO) event in Las Vegas, sparking a significant backlash from employees and leadership alike.During the keynote, Benioff reportedly asked employees who had traveled to the event from outside the United States to stand up for recognition. Once they were standing, he made a "joke" to the effect of: "Thank you! Just so the ICE agents [in the building] know [who you are]."He reportedly made a follow-up "callback" later in the presentation, suggesting that ICE agents were also monitoring those who hadn't yet used a specific new Slackbot tool.And another joke about ICE surveilling employee travel: when there are literally employees afraid to travel for work due to current situationSalesforce famously promotes a culture of "Ohana" (family) and equality.Parker Harris (Cofounder): In a follow-up meeting, Harris reportedly called the jokes a "violation of the Code of Conduct" and even noted they could be considered a "fireable offense" for a typical employee.Rob Seaman (Slack GM): The head of the Salesforce-owned platform Slack sent a memo to staff stating he "cannot defend or explain" the jokes and that they did not align with his values.Salesforce employees call on CEO Benioff to cancel ICE ‘opportunities'Elon Musk says Anthropic's philosopher has no stake in the future because she doesn't have kidsPalantir, Which Is Powering ICE, Says Immigration Crackdown May Hurt Hiring MMFrom 10-K filed 2 days ago: “if we are not able to recruit, hire, or retain the talent we need because of increased regulation of immigration or work visas … it could be more difficult to staff our personnel on customer engagements and could increase our costs … Additionally, laws and regulations, such as restrictive immigration laws, may limit our ability to recruit outside of the United States ... If we fail to attract new personnel or to retain our current personnel, our business and operations could be harmed.”
DOCKET ALERTS:Florida's Attorney General James Uthmeier is getting paid $50,000 a semester to teach a single class at University of Florida's law school. The Trump Administration finally obeyed the court order and put the exhibit on enslaved people back at President's House in Philadelphia.The Supreme Court has decided to eliminate corruption by asking litigants to add their stock ticker symbols to filing disclosures. Oh, you thought maybe the justices would agree to stop trading individual stocks? LOL.And a JAG lawyer sent to help out the US Attorneys Office in Minnesota got cited for contempt after ICE responded to a habeas order by dumping a Minnesota man on the street in El Paso without his identity documents. Judge Laura Provinzino ordered the lawyer to pay $500 per day until the petitioner got his ID back.MAIN SHOW:In California, Judge Sunshine Sykes issued a major benchslap to the Trump administration's claim that it can — or must! — detain immigrants who haven't been granted permanent residence. In December, she granted class certification and ordered the government to give everyone not detained at the border a bond hearing. The government ignored her ruling, based on a decision by the immigration courts housed inside the Justice Department. Separation of powers, how does it go?And Andrew and Liz talk about two “surveillance” issues: commercially-aggregated data tracking our every movement and “dynamic” pricing.The Supreme Court first started considering surveillance in US v. Jones, 565 U.S. 400 (2012) and endorsed the “mosaic theory” of the Fourth Amendment in Carpenter v. US, 585 US 296 (2018).Sens. Lujan and Merkley have co-sponsored the Stop Price Gouging in Grocery Stores Act of 2026. Gizmodo recently ran a story about it, referencing prior research into dynamic pricing.Florida's attorney general gets $100K part-time teaching job at UFhttps://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/02/17/uthmeier-uf-adjunct-teaching-contract-pay-attorney-general/Soto Jimenez v. Bondihttps://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72221590/soto-jimenez-v-bondi/Matter of Yajure Hurtadohttps://www.justice.gov/eoir/media/1413311/dl?inlineMaldonado Bautista v. Noemhttps://www.courtlistener.com/docket/70895584/lazaro-maldonado-bautista-v-ernesto-santacruz-jr/US v. Jones, 565 U.S. 400 (2012)https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=3066032366235422373Carpenter v. US, 585 US 296 (2018)https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=853695326923033538Text of the Stop Price Gouging in Grocery Stores Act of 2026https://www.lujan.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/MUR26086-1.pdfShow Links:https://www.lawandchaospod.com/BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPodThreads: @LawAndChaosPodTwitter: @LawAndChaosPodSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Les Wexner, the 88-year-old billionaire founder and former CEO of L Brands — the retail empire that once included Victoria's Secret — sat for a closed-door deposition with the U.S. House Oversight and Reform Committee as part of the ongoing investigation into Jeffrey Epstein's network. During the session, Wexner denied any knowledge of Epstein's criminal activities, characterizing him as a “world-class con man” who deceived him and misused their relationship. Wexner acknowledged hiring Epstein in the late 1980s to manage his finances and giving him power of attorney, but insisted that their relationship ended around 2007 after he learned of Epstein's misconduct and alleged that Epstein stole from him. He also said he had only visited Epstein's private island once and maintained he had no involvement in or knowledge of Epstein's sex-trafficking crimes.Lawmakers on the committee, particularly House Democrats, were skeptical of Wexner's claims of ignorance and downplaying of their long association. They pointed to FBI and Justice Department files showing Wexner's name repeatedly in connection with Epstein and described him as a significant financial backer whose support helped Epstein gain wealth and connections. Some members of Congress also cited survivor allegations tying Wexner to locations where abuse occurred, and they challenged Wexner's assertions that he had no involvement or oversight of Epstein's activities. While the deposition offered Wexner a chance to address his role directly, it did not resolve lingering questions about the depth of his relationship with Epstein, and investigators continue to examine newly released documents and evidence.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.com
Hawk breaks down the newly released Justice Department files revealing that Jean-Luc Brunel, the French modeling scout and one of Jeffrey Epstein's closest associates, was secretly negotiating with federal prosecutors in 2016 and was prepared to hand over incriminating photographs and testify about Epstein's sex trafficking operation. Brunel's lawyer told prosecutors his client had recruited girls for Epstein and was willing to walk into the US Attorney's Office in New York in exchange for immunity. Then Epstein found out. Emails now part of the document dump show Epstein immediately contacted Katherine Rummler, then a prominent attorney and later Goldman Sachs general counsel, who has since resigned. Epstein's outreach effectively shut down Brunel's cooperation, and prosecutors never pursued him further. More than 50 additional girls were trafficked in the three years that followed. The files also expose how Epstein used Brunel's modeling agency MC2, which Epstein helped bankroll with up to $1 million, as a vehicle to recruit foreign women, secure their work visas, and keep them financially dependent. A recruiter named Daniel Sead supplied girls from Sweden, Slovakia, France, and Russia. Virginia Giuffre had alleged Brunel trafficked girls as young as 12. Brunel was arrested in France in 2020 on rape charges and was found hanged in his cell in 2022. Epstein's nonprosecution deal in 2008, negotiated by then-US Attorney Alex Acosta, allowed the trafficking to continue for years. Julie K. Brown's Miami Herald investigation and her book Perversion of Justice ultimately forced federal action in 2019. SUPPORT & CONNECT WITH HAWK- Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/mdg650hawk - Hawk's Merch Store: https://hawkmerchstore.com - Connect on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mdg650hawk7thacct - Connect on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hawkeyewhackamole - Connect on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/mdg650hawk.bsky.social - Connect on Substack: https://mdg650hawk.substack.com - Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hawkpodcasts - Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mdg650hawk - Connect on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/mdg650hawk ALL HAWK PODCASTS INFO- Additional Content Available Here: https://www.hawkpodcasts.comhttps://www.youtube.com/@hawkpodcasts- Listen to Hawk Podcasts On Your Favorite Platform:Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3RWeJfyApple Podcasts: https://apple.co/422GDuLYouTube: https://youtube.com/@hawkpodcastsiHeartRadio: https://ihr.fm/47vVBdPPandora: https://bit.ly/48COaTB
We all know that the dreaded State of the Union address is coming up on February 24th, where Donald Trump will spew his lies into the public square and slur his way through endless insults and grievances.But guess what? You don't have to subject yourself to it. There is some great, pro-democracy counter-programming scheduled. It's called the State of the Swamp event in DC and it's being put on by Miles Taylor and defiance.org.Here's a quick conversation with Miles Taylor about the upcoming event.You can livestream the event for free, just go to: defiance.org.Find Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft and a leading global philanthropist, withdrew from delivering his scheduled keynote address at the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi just hours before he was set to speak. The Gates Foundation issued a statement saying the decision was made “to ensure the focus remains on the AI Summit's key priorities,” and Ankur Vora, president of the foundation's Africa and India offices, delivered the address in his place. Gates had been initially confirmed and was in India ahead of the event, which was designed to position India as a hub for artificial intelligence development and governance.The sudden cancellation came amid heightened scrutiny over Gates's past interactions with the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein after recently released U.S. Justice Department documents included emails involving Gates Foundation staff and Epstein. Although Gates denies any impropriety and says he regretted associating with Epstein, the controversy drew significant attention in Indian media and public debate in the lead-up to the summit. Some commentators linked the timing of his withdrawal to that controversy, even as summit organizers and Indian officials did not directly tie the decision to the Epstein files.to c ontact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Bill Gates cancels AI summit keynote address amid scrutiny over Epstein links | CNNBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.
After British police arrested the former Prince Andrew in connection with revelations involving Jeffrey Epstein, a reporter asked Donald Trump directly if anyone will face accountability in the United States. Trump rambled and rambled, insisting he had been “totally exonerated.” That's not true, but regardless, Trump could not explain why accountability is happening in other countries, but not in ours. He also had nothing whatsoever to say about whether his Justice Department will ever seek accountability for any elites implicated in the scandal. Meanwhile, MAGA figures are raging over the latest Epstein-file revelations and demanding exactly the accountability that is not forthcoming from DOJ. We talked to Nicole Hemmer, author of good books about the conservative movement and about the right wing media. She explains why Trump has not been exonerated, how the latest in this scandal is causing MAGA to crack up, what all this reveals about supposed Trump-MAGA hatred of “elites,” and what the prospects are for genuine accountability. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
After British police arrested the former Prince Andrew in connection with revelations involving Jeffrey Epstein, a reporter asked Donald Trump directly if anyone will face accountability in the United States. Trump rambled and rambled, insisting he had been “totally exonerated.” That's not true, but regardless, Trump could not explain why accountability is happening in other countries, but not in ours. He also had nothing whatsoever to say about whether his Justice Department will ever seek accountability for any elites implicated in the scandal. Meanwhile, MAGA figures are raging over the latest Epstein-file revelations and demanding exactly the accountability that is not forthcoming from DOJ. We talked to Nicole Hemmer, author of good books about the conservative movement and about the right wing media. She explains why Trump has not been exonerated, how the latest in this scandal is causing MAGA to crack up, what all this reveals about supposed Trump-MAGA hatred of “elites,” and what the prospects are for genuine accountability. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A Texas activist dismantles anti-immigrant myths with data, Anand Giridharadas exposes the Epstein class, and critics slam a Trump banner on the Justice Department as authoritarian symbolism. Subscribe to our Newsletter:https://politicsdoneright.com/newsletterPurchase our Books: As I See It: https://amzn.to/3XpvW5o How To Make AmericaUtopia: https://amzn.to/3VKVFnG It's Worth It: https://amzn.to/3VFByXP Lose Weight And BeFit Now: https://amzn.to/3xiQK3K Tribulations of anAfro-Latino Caribbean man: https://amzn.to/4c09rbE
The Justice Department recently released 3 million documents, 2,000 videos and 180,000 images tied to Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier and convicted sex offender connected to some of the most powerful names in the world. And the internet has gone into absolute overdrive. As the new files are made public, previously undisclosed details are fueling a tidal wave of viral conspiracies. Social media is dissecting every name and every redaction, with theories about cover-ups, code words, and hidden networks. In this episode, Annie is joined by Dr. Leslie Dobson to unpack the wildest allegations circulating right now....If you're new here, don't forget to follow the show for weekly deep dives into the darkest true crime cases! To watch the video version of this episode, head over to youtube.com/@annieelise. .
You might recall that, just a few weeks ago, the Trump administration tore down an exhibit in Philadelphia - a public exhibit that documented American history, including an exhibit about nine people enslaved by George Washington at his former home in Philadelphia. On Presidents' Day, Judge Cynthia Rufe, (who, incidentally, was appointed to the bench by another George - George W. Bush) - quoted George Orwell's "1984" in her opinion. She ruled that the Trump administration likely violated the law and she ordered them to restore the slavery exhibit. It seems the federal judiciary will not allow Trump and his flunkies to violated the law in their efforts to whitewash American history and try to bury evidence of America's original sin - slavery. Find Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin: Russian, Chinese, and Iranian warships launch “surprise” joint naval drills in the Strait of Hormuz — including live-fire exercises that temporarily shut down portions of one of the world's most critical oil chokepoints. A bombshell out of Britain. Former Prince Andrew has reportedly been arrested over alleged ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Newly released U.S. Justice Department documents are said to contain communications that could carry national security implications for the United Kingdom. We break down what's known so far. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting https://PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief Trust & Will: Estate planning doesn't have to be complicated—create your will or trust online in minutes with Trust & Will and get 20% off at https://trustandwill.com/PDB Ultra Pouches: Don't sleep on @ultrapouches. New customers get 15% Off with code PDB at https://takeultra.com! #UltraPouches #ad Sundays for Dogs: Upgrade your dog's food without the hassle—try Sundays for Dogs and get 50% off your first order at https://sundaysfordogs.com/PDB50 or use code PDB50 at checkout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A new Reuters/Ipsos poll finds that a large majority of Americans believe the recently released files connected to Jeffrey Epstein reveal a broader pattern in which wealthy and powerful figures in the United States are rarely held accountable for their actions. About 69% of respondents said the statement that the Epstein files “show that powerful people in the U.S. are rarely held accountable” reflected their views very or extremely well, and another 17% agreed somewhat. This sentiment cut across party lines, with more than 80% of both Republicans and Democrats saying the statement described their thinking at least somewhat well. The poll, conducted online with 1,117 U.S. adults and a 3-point margin of error, came shortly after the U.S. Justice Department released millions of pages of records showing Epstein's ties to prominent figures in politics, business, finance and academia.While some corporate leaders have resigned in the wake of the disclosures, others who had contact with Epstein remain in powerful posts, and individuals such as the Trump administration's Commerce Secretary and health official Dr. Mehmet Oz are noted in the documents without being accused of crimes. The issue remains politically charged: a significant portion of Republicans (67%) said it's time for the country to move on from talking about the Epstein files, compared with only 21% of Democrats. The poll reflects widespread skepticism about elite accountability and highlights partisan differences over how long the controversy should continue to figure in public debate.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Americans believe Epstein files show the powerful get a pass, Reuters/Ipsos poll finds | Reuters
You might recall that, just a few weeks ago, the Trump administration tore down an exhibit in Philadelphia - a public exhibit that documented American history, including an exhibit about nine people enslaved by George Washington at his former home in Philadelphia. On Presidents' Day, Judge Cynthia Rufe, (who, incidentally, was appointed to the bench by another George - George W. Bush) - quoted George Orwell's "1984" in her opinion. She ruled that the Trump administration likely violated the law and she ordered them to restore the slavery exhibit. It seems the federal judiciary will not allow Trump and his flunkies to violated the law in their efforts to whitewash American history and try to bury evidence of America's original sin - slavery. Find Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
A new Reuters/Ipsos poll finds that a large majority of Americans believe the recently released files connected to Jeffrey Epstein reveal a broader pattern in which wealthy and powerful figures in the United States are rarely held accountable for their actions. About 69% of respondents said the statement that the Epstein files “show that powerful people in the U.S. are rarely held accountable” reflected their views very or extremely well, and another 17% agreed somewhat. This sentiment cut across party lines, with more than 80% of both Republicans and Democrats saying the statement described their thinking at least somewhat well. The poll, conducted online with 1,117 U.S. adults and a 3-point margin of error, came shortly after the U.S. Justice Department released millions of pages of records showing Epstein's ties to prominent figures in politics, business, finance and academia.While some corporate leaders have resigned in the wake of the disclosures, others who had contact with Epstein remain in powerful posts, and individuals such as the Trump administration's Commerce Secretary and health official Dr. Mehmet Oz are noted in the documents without being accused of crimes. The issue remains politically charged: a significant portion of Republicans (67%) said it's time for the country to move on from talking about the Epstein files, compared with only 21% of Democrats. The poll reflects widespread skepticism about elite accountability and highlights partisan differences over how long the controversy should continue to figure in public debate.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Americans believe Epstein files show the powerful get a pass, Reuters/Ipsos poll finds | ReutersBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.
Les Wexner, the 88-year-old billionaire founder and former CEO of L Brands — the retail empire that once included Victoria's Secret — sat for a closed-door deposition with the U.S. House Oversight and Reform Committee as part of the ongoing investigation into Jeffrey Epstein's network. During the session, Wexner denied any knowledge of Epstein's criminal activities, characterizing him as a “world-class con man” who deceived him and misused their relationship. Wexner acknowledged hiring Epstein in the late 1980s to manage his finances and giving him power of attorney, but insisted that their relationship ended around 2007 after he learned of Epstein's misconduct and alleged that Epstein stole from him. He also said he had only visited Epstein's private island once and maintained he had no involvement in or knowledge of Epstein's sex-trafficking crimes.Lawmakers on the committee, particularly House Democrats, were skeptical of Wexner's claims of ignorance and downplaying of their long association. They pointed to FBI and Justice Department files showing Wexner's name repeatedly in connection with Epstein and described him as a significant financial backer whose support helped Epstein gain wealth and connections. Some members of Congress also cited survivor allegations tying Wexner to locations where abuse occurred, and they challenged Wexner's assertions that he had no involvement or oversight of Epstein's activities. While the deposition offered Wexner a chance to address his role directly, it did not resolve lingering questions about the depth of his relationship with Epstein, and investigators continue to examine newly released documents and evidence.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.
Comprehensive coverage of the day's news with a focus on war and peace; social, environmental and economic justice. Trump's Board of Peace, photo by Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license World's 6th largest fossil fuel company facing trial in France; Trump chairs first Board of Peace meeting, pledges funds and troops for Gaza as many fear mission creep; Amy Goodman speaks to KPFA on 30th anniversary of “Democracy Now”; Large banner with Trump's face hung on Justice Department headquarters; On this date in 1942, Roosevelt signs executive order leading to internment of 125,000 people of Japanese ancestry, including US citizens; US pays $160 million of the $4 billion owed to United Nations The post Trump chairs first Board of Peace meeting as many fear mission creep; 6th largest fossil fuel company on trial in Paris- February 19, 2026 appeared first on KPFA.
AP Washington correspondent Sagar Meghani reports a big banner featuring President Trump's face is now hanging on the Justice Department's headquarters.
For the ad-free version of this episode, subscribe to Politicology+ at https://politicology.com/plus In part two of this series, Ron talks to Rebecca Roiphe (Joseph Solomon Distinguished Professor of Law at New York Law School) about critical legal studies, the attacks on our understanding of what the law is and how it should function from across the political spectrum. They focus on how the chilling actions of the Trump Administration stem from a belief that law is merely an instrument of power, and why that belief is corrosive—to the everyday practice of law and to liberal democracy itself. They discuss: (08:00) Understanding liberalism vs progressivism (09:08) Fairness in the legal system (16:43) The role of the Federalist Society and its shift at Harvard (21:19) The Trump Administration's legal philosophy (25:39) The independence of the Justice Department (28:33) The impact of executive orders targeting law firms (32:33) The future of legal representation Follow Ron and Rebecca on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/rroiphe Email your questions to podcast@politicology.com or leave us a voicemail at (703) 239-3068 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Of all the ways President Trump has pushed the bounds of executive power one stands out to lawyers and watchdogs.He wants the government he leads to pay him billions of dollars.Trump has filed multiple claims arguing he's been hurt by Justice Department investigations and the leak of his tax returns years ago.What does that mean to be on both sides of these legal claims? For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Email us at considerthis@npr.org.This episode was produced by Erika Ryan with audio engineering by Damian Herring.It was edited by Courtney Dorning.Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy
Pam Bondi must go as Attorney General. Whether by resignation, removal and replacement, or impeachment, Pam Bondi must go. She can no longer be allowed to be the Attorney General for the United States . Bondi must go not just because she showed complete and utter contempt for Congress in her recent testimony, Bondi must go because she showed complete and utter contempt, disregard, and disrespect for the victims of Epstein's crimes. At the recent House Judiciary Committee hearing, Bondi literally would not turn and look at or acknowledge the enduring pain of the victims of Epstein's crimes. When the survivors were asked how many of them had requested to meet with the Department of Justice to address the crimes that were committed against them, each and every one raised their hand. When asked how many got to meet with the DOJ, every one of them lowered their hand. Bondi turned her back on the victims of Epstein's crimes. Bondi literally turned her back on the victims of Epstein's crimes in the House Judiciary committee hearing, and she figuratively turned her back on the victims of Epstein's crimes at all other times.Yes, Pam Bondi must go as Attorney General.Find Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Political tensions are escalating after Hillary Clinton accused Donald Trump's administration of orchestrating a “cover-up” in the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files. Speaking from Berlin, Clinton claimed the Justice Department is “slow-walking” key documents and redacting crucial information — while Trump insists he has “nothing to hide.” Independent media has never been more important. Please support this channel by subscribing here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkbwLFZhawBqK2b9gW08z3g?sub_confirmation=1 Join this channel with a membership for exclusive early access and bonus content: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkbwLFZhawBqK2b9gW08z3g/join Five Minute News is an Evergreen Podcast, covering politics, inequality, health and climate - delivering independent, unbiased and essential news for the US and across the world. Visit us online at http://www.fiveminute.news Follow us on Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/fiveminutenews.bsky.social Follow us on Instagram http://instagram.com/fiveminnews Support us on Patreon http://www.patreon.com/fiveminutenews You can subscribe to Five Minute News with your preferred podcast app, ask your smart speaker, or enable Five Minute News as your Amazon Alexa Flash Briefing skill. CONTENT DISCLAIMER The views and opinions expressed on this channel are those of the guests and authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Anthony Davis or Five Minute News LLC. Any content provided by our hosts, guests or authors are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual or anyone or anything, in line with the First Amendment right to free and protected speech. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In an excerpt from this week's Insider podcast episode, Preet Bharara and Joyce Vance discuss Attorney General Pam Bondi's testimony before the House Judiciary Committee about DOJ's handling of the Epstein files. In the full episode, Preet and Joyce discuss: – The Justice Department's failure to secure an indictment of a group of Democratic members of Congress over a video reminding military service members of their duty to refuse illegal orders; – The Trump administration's announcement that it is ending stepped-up ICE operations in Minnesota; and – The unsealing of an affidavit used to justify the FBI's search of an election office in Fulton County, Georgia, as part of the Trump administration's investigation into debunked allegations of election fraud in the county. CAFE Insiders click HERE to listen to the full analysis. Not an Insider? Join a community of reasoned voices in unreasonable times. Insiders get access to full episodes of the Insider podcast and other exclusive content. Head to cafe.com/insider or staytuned.substack.com/subscribe. Subscribe to our YouTube channel. This podcast is brought to you by CAFE and Vox Media Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Tonight on The Last Word: The Trump Justice Department claims “all” Epstein files have been released. Also, Attorney General Pam Bondi is accused of violating the Epstein Files Transparency Act. And Minnesota officials say the FBI is not sharing Alex Pretti shooting evidence. Rep. Ro Khanna and Andrew Weissmann join Lawrence O'Donnell. To listen to this show and other MS podcasts without ads, sign up for MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
First, Senator Mark Kelly defeated Donald Trump's Department of Justice when a grand jury refused to indict him for speaking the truth by saying that military members must disobey illegal orders. Now, Sen. Kelly has defeated Pete Hegseth and the Department of Defense when a judge ruled that Hegseth may not punish Senator Kelly for exercising his First Amendment free speech rights.These rulings are good for the rule of law, good for the Constitution, and points of light shining amidst the Trump-induced darkness.Find Glenn on Substack: glennkirschner.substack.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Safe home, Jesse Jackson. Big Tech firms turned over user information on anti-ICE accounts. The Trump regime and CBS tries to silence Stephen Colbert again. The Justice Department tracked the search histories of lawmakers who reviewed the files from the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. DOJ may have only released 2-percent of Epstein Files. Weird thing in the Epstein documents. Don't panic about the midterms. Billionaires got $1.5 trillion richer in 2025. Microsoft CEO forecasts the end of white collar jobs. Mortgage delinquencies on the rise. Fascist Russ Vought is using USAID money for personal security. Cenk's latest cynical attention grab. Great news about the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact. Donald's numbers are collapsing. Great polling news out of Texas. With Jody Hamilton, David Ferguson, music by Keturah Allgood, The John Payton Project, and more! Brought to you by Russ Rybicki, SharePower Responsible Investing. Support our new sponsor and get free shipping at Quince.com/bob ! Sign up for Buzz Burbank's Substack.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Monday on the News Hour, Secretary of State Rubio gives Hungary's far-right prime minister a re-election boost, just days after trying to smooth over relations with other European allies. The Justice Department gives its reasoning for how it redacted the Epstein files. Plus, the partial government shutdown over Homeland Security funding drags on with no end in sight. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy
'The View' co-hosts and guest co-host Savannah Chrisley weigh in after Hillary Clinton calls for full transparency on the Epstein files, reacting to the Justice Department's release of a massive list of names and its claim that its work on the case is complete, as both parties demand answers. They also discuss former President Obama's recent comments about extraterrestrial activity after he claimed aliens are real and then walked the statement back. The panel and guest co-host Savannah Chrisley react as HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. raises eyebrows for admitting on a podcast that he once snorted cocaine off a toilet seat. Plus, 'The View' remembers civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson, who passed away at 84, and Oscar‑winning actor Robert Duvall, who passed away at 95. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In a live conversation on YouTube, Lawfare Editor in Chief Benjamin Wittes sat down with Lawfare Senior Editors Eric Columbus, Roger Parloff, and Anna Bower, Lawfare Public Service Fellow Troy Edwards, and Lawfare Student Contributor Peyton Baker to discuss the arraignment of Don Lemon and his co-defendants in Minnesota, affidavits released for the FBI search of Fulton County, the Justice Department's attempt to wipe out Steve Bannon's conviction, and more.You can find information on legal challenges to Trump administration actions here. And check out Lawfare's new homepage on the litigation, new Bluesky account, and new WITOAD merch.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
John welcomes back Democratic election lawyer Marc Elias to discuss Donald Trump's recent slew of suggestions about changing the way elections are run in the U.S.—and his apparent plans to mess with the November midterms. Elias also analyzes Attorney General Pam Bondi's cringeworthy performance last week before the House Judiciary Committee, the Justice Department's failure to secure indictments (at Trump's behest) of the half-dozen congresspeople who released a video reminding soldiers that they had no obligation to follow illegal orders, and the Republican push to enact Voter ID. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices