Top Items:
William Kristol / The Bulwark:
He's Acting Pretty Damn Guilty — Just like that, the shutdown is over. Six Democrats crossed the aisle to help House Republicans get a stopgap bill funding the government over the finish line yesterday evening, and Trump signed it at once last night. “This was an easy extension …
Discussion:
HuffPost, Politico, The Independent, The Free Press, New Republic and Newsweek, more at Mediagazer »
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Jill Filipovic:
The Dogs That Haven't Barked — The Trump administration is a regime of restoring male power. That includes being a pedophile protection racket covering for men who sexually abuse girls. — Few issues have inflamed the MAGA right and the Qanon conspiracy theorists quite as intensely …
Discussion:
New York Times and Breitbart
Ryan Cooper / American Prospect:
How on Earth Are We Just Now Hearing About Trump's ‘Hours’ With an Epstein Victim? — Epstein said this in writing in 2011. — Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email — Well, now we have it. On Wednesday, Democrats on the House Oversight Committee released another batch …
Discussion:
The Guardian, The Independent, HuffPost, The Wrap, KDFX-TV and New York Sun
Marc Caputo / Axios:
Epstein files become a fiasco of Trump's own making — Four months ago, President Trump blocked the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files. Wednesday's disclosure of thousands of Epstein emails showed why. … But they shed new light on the relationship between the two men, with gossipy, unflattering descriptions of Trump by Epstein.
Discussion:
NBC News, Townhall, Newsweek, Raw Story, Newsbusters, The Wrap, New Republic, Joe.My.God. and The Independent
Zeteo:
‘This Sucks’: Trump and the GOP Thought They Survived the Epstein Scandal. It's Back — Trumpland is annoyed that GOP lawmakers aren't running effective interference for the president and are getting ‘played by Democrats.’ — Donald Trump's massive cover-up - currently being conducted across …
Discussion:
The Free Press, CBS News, France 24, NBC News, Mediaite, The Gateway Pundit, twitchy.com, HOWL, Axios, The Hill, Raw Story, Newsweek, Bloomberg, New York Times, Political Wire and RedState
Matt Margolis / PJ Media:
Democrats Released Three Cherrypicked Epstein Emails... So the GOP Released 20,000 — Democrats thought they had a winning hand when they released three carefully selected Jeffrey Epstein emails on Wednesday morning. The timing was no accident. With their caucus still reeling …
Andrew Howard / Politico:
Democrats eye Trump country for a special election surprise … Recent internal polling from Democrats has Behn within 8 to 10 points of her Republican opponent Matt Van Epps, which she said places her in “striking distance.” DNC Chair Ken Martin also traveled to the state last weekend to campaign for Behn.
Discussion:
Democrats
Heather Cox Richardson / Letters from an American:
It turns out Representative Eric Swalwell (D-CA) and House Democrats were right to call it the “Epstein Shutdown” for the last several weeks on social media and in interviews. As Marc Elias of Democracy Docket put it today, while it was clear what the Democrats wanted from the shutdown …
Discussion:
Democracy Docket, HuffPost, The Hill, The American Saga, LGBTQ Nation, Newsweek, Washington Examiner and New York Sun
New York Times:
After Trump Split, Epstein Said He Could ‘Take Him Down’
Discussion:
Bloomberg, HuffPost, New Republic, The Dean's Report, The.Ink, Politico, Washington Examiner, The Hill, Mediaite, Salon and NewsMax.com
Miranda Devine / New York Post:
The left is pushing another desperate anti-Trump hoax - a false Epstein smear campaign
The left is pushing another desperate anti-Trump hoax - a false Epstein smear campaign
Discussion:
New Republic, New York Daily News, Mediaite, Blaze Media, CNBC, The Guardian, Washington Post, All Rise News, TheGrio and Raw Story
Politico:
Latest Epstein files knock White House on it heels
Latest Epstein files knock White House on it heels
Discussion:
Mediaite and Washington Examiner
Michael Gold / New York Times:
What's Behind the Coming House Vote on Releasing the Epstein Files
What's Behind the Coming House Vote on Releasing the Epstein Files
Discussion:
CNN, CBS News, Townhall, Courier-Journal, New Republic, Mediaite, The Parnas Perspective, The Hill, NOTUS, Politico, The Daily Caller, Blaze Media, New York Sun, MSNBC, Axios and PoliticusUSA
Jason Lange / Reuters:
Democrats more energized for 2026 elections than Republicans, Reuters/Ipsos poll finds
Democrats more energized for 2026 elections than Republicans, Reuters/Ipsos poll finds
Discussion:
The Hill and Al Jazeera
Karen Tumulty / Washington Post:
Epstein is the one issue that persistently splits Trump from his base
Epstein is the one issue that persistently splits Trump from his base
Discussion:
New Republic, Talking Points Memo, Los Angeles Times and The Hill
New York Times:
Trump Summons Lauren Boebert as He Pushes GOP to Block Epstein Vote
Trump Summons Lauren Boebert as He Pushes GOP to Block Epstein Vote
Discussion:
Drop Site News, Colorado Public Radio, Popular Information, New Republic, Politico, Meidas+, HuffPost, New York Daily News, Washington Post, The Hill, LGBTQ Nation, USA Today, Syracuse Post-Standard, New York Post, Washington Examiner, MSNBC, Raw Story, Wall Street Journal, ABC News, Mediaite, al.com, Fox News, Washington Times, KDFX-TV, NOTUS, New Jersey Online, Daily Mail, NewsMax.com, Esquire, Associated Press and Semafor
Adam Downer / The Daily Beast:
Bondi Ripped After Epstein Files Blow Up on Her
Bondi Ripped After Epstein Files Blow Up on Her
Discussion:
The Atlantic, The Message Box, Newsweek, Wall Street Journal, Civil Discourse …, New Republic, The New World, Bloomberg, Daily Caller News Foundation, RedState, The Independent, Mediaite, BBC, twitchy.com, IJR, The Guardian, Salon, The Wrap, Axios, News Not Noise, TMZ.com, Washington Times, Scripps News, The Intellectualist, Deadline, Semafor, New York Magazine and Grabien
Jennifer Rubin / The Contrarian:
Frightening Wake-up for MAGA
Erkki Forster / The Daily Beast:
I Know Why Epstein Refused to Expose Trump: Wolff
I Know Why Epstein Refused to Expose Trump: Wolff
Discussion:
HuffPost, New York Post, PBS NewsHour, TMZ.com, Politico, The Wrap, Reuters, The Japan Times, Telegraph, ABC News, TheGrio, Fox News, Mediaite and Raw Story
Joey Cappelletti / Associated Press:
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker worries that Trump will go to extremes to distract from Epstein files
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker worries that Trump will go to extremes to distract from Epstein files
Discussion:
Axios, The Hill, Raw Story, Washington Examiner, IJR, The Moderate Voice, Daily Mail, Mediaite, PoliticusUSA, CBS News, Megyn Kelly, The Independent and Blue Virginia
Sana Muneer / The Daily Free Press:
BU College Republicans president says he called ICE to ‘detain these criminals’ at Allston Car Wash — The president of Boston University College Republicans wrote on X he called the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement requesting it detain employees at Allston Car Wash, the site of a Nov. 4 raid where nine employees were arrested.
Discussion:
Joe.My.God.
Politico:
The next shutdown threat is around the corner … That leaves behind major open decisions about the vast majority of discretionary dollars — including for the military and public health programs — along with the stickiest policy issues. It doesn't help that House and Senate leaders still …
Discussion:
Punchbowl News, The Hill, Washington Post, Wake Up To Politics, JURIST, MPR News, KDFX-TV, Blaze Media, CNBC, The Gateway Pundit and Associated Press
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Nick Gilbertson / Breitbart:
Trump Signs Bill to Reopen Government After 43 Days of Democrat Shutdown
Trump Signs Bill to Reopen Government After 43 Days of Democrat Shutdown
Discussion:
New York Post, Washington Examiner, twitchy.com, NewsMax.com, Raw Story, France 24, Politico, MSNBC, New York Daily News and Forbes
ProPublica:
“I Lost Everything”: Venezuelans Were Rounded Up in a Dramatic Midnight Raid but Never Charged With a Crime — Co-published with Block Club Chicago and FRONTLINE — Leer en español. — ProPublica is a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power.
Discussion:
Reuters
New York Times:
In Explaining His Gaffe, Heritage Foundation Leader Pleads Ignorance … Kevin D. Roberts is the president of the Heritage Foundation, a powerful think tank at the center of conservative politics. He makes more than $800,000 a year. He manages a budget of $100 million. He has a doctorate in history.
Gallup:
Record Numbers of Younger Women Want to Leave the U.S. — Desire to migrate among younger American women has quadrupled in the past decade — WASHINGTON, D.C. — For the second straight year, about one in five Americans say they would like to leave the U.S. and move permanently to another country if they could.
Discussion:
Axios, Breitbart, The Daily Caller, Fox News, NewsMax.com, The Federalist, Semafor and Joe.My.God.
Politico:
Halligan in the hot seat as Comey, James move to disqualify her as interim US attorney … But the key issue before the court Thursday is their claim Halligan was never eligible to take on the prosecutorial role because of legal limits on who can serve in it.
Discussion:
Straight Arrow News, New York Times, Axios, ABC News, Fox News, CBS News, New York Post, The Guardian, UPI, NBC News and Democracy Docket
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C. Ryan Barber / Wall Street Journal:
Prosecutor in James Comey, Letitia James Cases Faces Hearing on Legitimacy
Prosecutor in James Comey, Letitia James Cases Faces Hearing on Legitimacy
Discussion:
Bloomberg, The Hill, Associated Press, Washington Times, Newsweek, CBS News, Joe.My.God. and The National Pulse
Beege Welborn / HotAir:
Gavin Newsom's Former Chief of Staff...WHUT? And He Knew — Oh, there's nobody who knows an official like their chief of staff. And there is no one an official is closer to than their chief of staff. — They work hand in glove. — So while people might have been mildly surprised …
Discussion:
KQCA-TV, Capitol Weekly, Breitbart, San Francisco Chronicle, Fox News, Sacramento Bee, Politico, Associated Press, UPI, twitchy.com, Washington Post, RedState, New York Sun, Washington Examiner, New York Times, Mercury News, The Independent, CalMatters, One America News Network, Straight Arrow News, NOTUS, Raw Story, The National Pulse, WTOP News, Los Angeles Times, Blaze Media and Mediaite
Christopher Hale / Letters from Leo:
BREAKING: At Pope Leo's Urging, Bishops Issue Historic Rebuke of Trump's Raids — Thank you for reading! Letters from Leo is a reader-supported publication. If you find value in my work, please consider becoming a paid subscriber or making a one-time donation. — Subscribe now
Discussion:
Catholic World Report, RNS and America Magazine
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New York Times:
Justice Dept. Struggled to Find Lawyers to Handle Maurene Comey Suit — Ms. Comey sued the Trump administration after she was abruptly fired over the summer, saying the action was retaliation. Federal attorneys in New York City and a Justice Department branch in Washington have declined to handle the case.
Discussion:
NBC News
Joseph Cox / 404 Media:
Google Has Chosen a Side in Trump's Mass Deportation Effort — Google is hosting a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) app that uses facial recognition to identify immigrants, and tell local cops whether to contact ICE about the person, while simultaneously removing apps designed …
Media Matters for America:
Megyn Kelly questions whether Jeffrey Epstein's desire for “very young teen types” made him a pedophile — On Deadline: White House, Angelo Carusone discusses how MAGA-adjacent influencers are turning away from Trump — Benny Johnson: “H-1Bs should be banned. There should be no H-1Bs in America.”
Washington Post:
Trump administration prepares to fire worker for TV interview about SNAP — The employee warned that the shutdown could have negative impacts on the millions of Americans who rely on the federal government to put food on the table. — The Agriculture Department is preparing to fire …
Discussion:
Straight Arrow News
Jennifer Jacobs / CBS News:
Top officials present Trump with military options for Venezuela in the coming days — Senior military officials on Wednesday presented President Trump with updated options for potential operations in Venezuela, including strikes on land, according to multiple sources familiar with the meetings at the White House.
Discussion:
Newsweek and Straight Arrow News
Financial Times:
US drew $900mn from IMF account as Argentina debt payment loomed — Buenos Aires's reserves rose by the same margin as Washington seeks to bolster Javier Milei's government — Joseph Cotterill in London, Claire Jones in Washington and Ciara Nugent in Buenos Aires
Discussion:
Reuters, Human Events, GZERO and Semafor
Public Notice:
“It's 4chan s**t”: The govt's deranged social media presence — “You see Trump administration accounts that look like they're literally run by Groypers,” Charlie Warzel tells us. — ∙ Paid — Public Notice is supported by paid subscribers. Become one ⬇️
NBC News:
18 Trump voters explain why a slice of his base is unhappy with his economic performance — The latest NBC News poll shows 30% of Republicans feeling that Trump has fallen short on the economy. A group of them illustrated their experience and their political views.
Discussion:
Raw Story, Erick Erickson's Show Notes and New Jersey Online
Gallup:
Drop in U.S. Religiosity Among Largest in World — Religion still more important in U.S. than in many OECD countries — WASHINGTON, D.C. — The 17-point drop in the percentage of U.S. adults who say religion is an important part of their daily life — from 66% in 2015 to 49% today …
Discussion:
Axios and Washington Times
Erkki Forster / The Daily Beast:
Voicemail Trump Left Sharon Osbourne After Ozzy's Death Revealed — PRESIDENTIAL CALL — Discussing the presidential voicemail, Sharon Osbourne alluded to Trump's polarizing politics but said that he had always treated her and Ozzy with “respect.” — Ozzy Osbourne's family has revealed …
Discussion:
The Hill, Washington Examiner, HuffPost, Fox News, The Sun, RedState, Daily Mail, The Daily Caller, New York Post, Mediaite and The Post Millennial
Sarah Fortinsky / The Hill:
Federal workers expected to start receiving paychecks on Saturday — The first wave of federal workers will start receiving paychecks on Saturday as the government begins to reopen after a record-long shutdown. — A senior administration official told The Hill's sister network NewsNation …
Discussion:
Semafor, Scripps News, NewsMax.com, CBS News and Joe.My.God.
Jamie Gangel / CNN:
George Conway, a prominent Trump critic, may jump into New York congressional race, source tells CNN — George Conway, a prominent lawyer and critic of President Donald Trump, is actively considering running for Congress from New York City, a source familiar with the matter tells CNN.
