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.

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.

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.

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.

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 …

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.

“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.

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.

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 …

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 …

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.”

“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 ⬇️

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 …

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

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 …

4 insurers dropping Obamacare in Michigan as costs for some could double or triple … For Michiganders who shop for individual health insurance, this year's open enrollment period could be the most frustrating in the history of the Affordable Care Act, or “Obamacare.”

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.

Jack Smith targeted then-House Speaker McCarthy's private phone records in J6 probe, FBI docs reveal  —  Smith also sought personal phone records of now-former Rep. Louie Gohmert, FBI documents reveal  —  EXCLUSIVE: Former special counsel Jack Smith allegedly sought the private …

Wall Street stocks slide as tech jitters return  —  Sharp decline for Nasdaq Composite comes as investors await return of economic data after government shutdown ends  —  Tech shares led a slide on Wall Street on Thursday as rising concerns about the state of the world's biggest economy …

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

In Matt Gaetz Scandal, Circumstances Left Girl Vulnerable to Exploitation  —  A teenager with a homeless parent wanted money for braces and ended up having sex for money with powerful men.  She wants the public to have a fuller understanding of how she was victimized.  —  She was 17 and a high school junior in Florida.

Fetterman hospitalized after fall near his Pennsylvania home  —  Washington — Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania has been hospitalized after a fall near his Pennsylvania home, which caused minor injuries to his face, his spokesman said on X.  —  Fetterman fell to the ground after feeling light-headed …

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 …

The candidates who deserve your money  —  Our first recommendations of the cycle  —  I almost can't believe that I've been writing Slow Boring for five years.  It is, in fact, so hard to believe that I didn't pull together any big reflective musings this year on what I've learned or where we are as a publication.