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.

How a 17-Year-Old Girl Became Enmeshed in the Matt Gaetz Scandal  —  A 17-year-old 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.

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.

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.

Judge appears skeptical of Lindsey Halligan's appointment as interim US attorney … Currie seemed particularly concerned that a portion of the grand jury proceedings that led to Comey's indictment was “missing,” leaving certain aspects of Halligan's interactions with the grand jury unreviewable.

“I Lost Everything”: Venezuelans Were Rounded Up in a Dramatic Midnight Raid but Never Charged With a Crime  —  On the night of the raid, heavily armed federal agents zip-tied Jhonny Manuel Caicedo Fereira's hands behind his back, marched him out of his Chicago apartment building and put him against a wall to question him.

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.

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.

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

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.”

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 …

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

“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 …

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 …

Bonus 192: The Court vs. the Circuit Justice  —  Tuesday's ruling in the SNAP case appears to be the second example in seven months (and for quite some before that) of the full Supreme Court taking an application away from the circuit justice.  —  ∙ Paid  —  Welcome back to the weekly bonus content for “One First.”

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.”

Trump official refers Rep. Eric Swalwell for a federal criminal probe over alleged mortgage fraud  —  Swalwell is the latest Democrat to face mortgage fraud allegations from Federal Housing Finance Agency head Bill Pulte, who sent a letter to the Justice Department on Wednesday.

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 …