Blue 812 News Issue 30 - July 20

Jul 20, 2025

PROGRAMMING NOTE:

There will be no Blue812News next week. Blue812News will be back August 3rd.

top story for the third week in a row - something extremely unusual in the Trump era. What are the latest developments in the Epstein scandal-saga? (scandaga? sagandal? we’ll workshop it…)

On MONDAY: Democrats began the week by trolling Republicans with resolutions to release all Epstein files—Rep. Marc Veasey (D-TX) introduced one, and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) slipped an amendment into an unrelated bill, just to twist the knife. Meanwhile, Ghislaine Maxwell’s Supreme Court appeal was tanking fast (she thinks should’ve been shielded from prosecution under Jeffrey Epstein’s 2007 non-prosecution agreement (NPA) with federal prosecutors in Florida. The NPA included a clause stating the U.S. wouldn’t prosecute his “potential co-conspirators.”), as DOJ lawyers argued her 2007 plea deal with Epstein only covered Florida, not New York, where she was convicted. Trump, clearly over it, snapped “Are you still talking about this creep?” in a Cabinet meeting, while MAGA influencers like Laura Loomer and Steve Bannon called for AG Pam Bondi to resign and warned the whole mess could cost Republicans 40 seats in 2026

On Tuesday: Ro Khanna’s resolution was blocked, with only Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC) breaking ranks, though Rep Tim Burchett (R-TN) called for Ghislaine Maxwell to be subpoenaed to testify to the House Oversight Committee. In a press gaggle, Trump told reporters: “It’s sordid, but it’s boring... Really only bad people, including fake news, want to keep something like that going.” A forensic analysis of the Epstein prison video by WIRED revealed that nearly 2 minutes and 53 seconds had been edited out using Adobe Premiere Pro from the DOJ’s “raw” video file, fueling renewed skepticism and conspiracy theories about Epstein’s death.

On Wednesday: Despite earlier calls for transparency, House GOP leaders blocked a vote to release Epstein-related documents. Rep. Erin Houchin (IN-9) in particular, has voted against the release of the files multiple times, both as a member of the House Rules Committee, and on the House floor, where the motion failed by just ONE vote, 211-210. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Rep. Ro Khanna continued pushing a discharge petition to force a vote. Reps. Jeff Van Drew, Lauren Boebert, Eric Burlison, and Tim Burchett signed on as co-sponsors, and Marjorie Taylor Greene reaffirmed her support, posting: “I will never protect pedophiles or the elites and their circles”. In a Truth Social post and Oval Office remarks, President Trump lashed out at Republicans and MAGA influencers still demanding Epstein file disclosures, calling the controversy the “Jeffrey Epstein Hoax”, saying his “past supporters” were “weaklings” who had been “duped,” even adding “I don’t want their support anymore!”

On Thursday, President Trump publicly asked AG Bondi to seek court approval to release grand jury transcripts from Epstein’s 2019 prosecution, with Bondi responding: “We are ready to move the court tomorrow.” Legal experts noted that grand jury materials are rarely unsealed, and even if approved, this small fraction of documents from the case may not contain the explosive revelations some expect, which is the reason he’s fine with releasing those. Rep. Houcin introduced a resolution calling for the release of the Epstein files even though she just voted against that same thing the day before, citing her experience as a DCS caseworker. In the most explosive news of the week, The Wall Street Journal dropped a jaw-dropping report alleging Trump sent Epstein a lewd birthday letter in 2003. The letter, supposedly part of an album curated by Ghislaine Maxwell, featured typewritten dialogue between “Donald” and “Jeffrey”, a hand-drawn outline of a naked woman, with Trump’s signature squiggled in as pubic hair, and included the kicker line: “Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret”. Trump called it “FAKE” and claimed he doesn’t draw women or talk like that.

On Friday: Trump filed his $10 billion libel lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal, Rupert Murdoch, and two reporters. The Justice Department formally asked federal courts in New York and Florida to unseal grand jury transcripts from Epstein’s and Maxwell’s cases, citing “extensive public interest”. Legal experts warn it could take weeks or months to determine what, if anything, gets released.

In related news, close to two-thirds of Republicans think the administration is hiding details on Epstein’s business. Just 17% of Americans, in fact, approve of Trump’s handling of the case.

Donald Trump is about to turn one of his most craven former criminal defense attorneys into a powerful judge. The move sets a dangerous precedent for the entire judicial system.

That lawyer, Emil Bove, is basically Stephen Miller with a law degree. In other words, a hardcore MAGA disciple with little regard for the system and a record of taking the low road to reach Trump’s goals. So far in Trump’s second term, Bove (one of Trump’s personal lawyers in his NY hush-money case, plus the cases brought by Special Counsel Jack Smith) fired federal prosecutors who worked on January 6 cases, helped carry out a pressure campaign against NYC Mayor Eric Adams that caused several top prosecutors to resign, and has repeatedly ignored court orders and misled judges, privately telling DOJ attorneys to “consider telling the courts ‘fuck you,’” according to a whistleblower complaint (listen to the complaint here on the Unjustified podcast).

“I am not anybody’s henchman,” Bove insisted to the Senate Judiciary Committee last month… which is exactly what you say when you are definitely, absolutely NOT a henchman! Republicans lawmakers advanced his nomination to a final vote, anyway. Bove is now on track, pending a vote in the GOP-controlled Senate, to become a federal appeals court judge for the rest of his life… and he’s only 44 years old.

“Emil Bove is an utterly appalling selection for the federal bench,” Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) told Crooked’s What A Day. “He is a complete flack and sycophant underling and Trump fetching-boy.”

Democrats stormed out of Bove’s hearing Thursday, accusing their GOP counterparts of ramming the nomination through. But Democrats aren’t the only ones ringing the alarm about Bove: over 900 former DOJ attorneys urged the Senate to reject Bove’s nomination, as well as more than 75 former judges. Bottom line: This dude might be an even worse pick than Pete Hegseth was for defense secretary! At least he doesn’t get control of any missiles with this job?

Sadly, as the Trump era has taught all of us, over and over again, this situation could still get worse. “He could very easily get up on the Supreme Court,” Raskin warned. “He’s one level down, and he’s on the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. He will be casting critical votes on that whole part of the country.”

Amid the Bove chaos, Senate Republicans also advanced former Fox News commentator Jeanne Pirro’s bid to be the U.S. attorney in Washington, D.C.

Popes can’t be organ donors, as their organs become relics if they are sainted. Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

Despite it feeling like forever, the Trump 2.0 administration has only been in charge for six months. During the first six months of Trump's second term, more than $1 billion worth of grants and leases were terminated in Indiana, immigration court proceedings increased exponentially, and some businesses announced expansions here locally.

A lot of problems going forward will stem from lack of funding in the OBBB. INDems did a thorough breakdown of the bill with timelines on when some of the deepest cuts will be felt, and last week the DNC launched TrumpTax.com — a new website with a state-by-state breakdown of all the ways that Donald Trump and Republicans are selling out the American middle class to enrich the wealthiest 1%.

CNBC has released its new state rankings for 2025, and Indiana is at the bottom of the list in the most important categories once again. Most notably, CNBC named Indiana as having the third-worst quality of life in the entire country, edging out only Tennessee and Texas.

What is bringing down our state? CNBC highlights Indiana’s long-term struggle with affordable childcare and healthcare. In some parts of the state, childcare can cost as much as 46% of a household’s income. Other Hoosier negatives? Air quality is poor, according to data from the American Lung Association and First Street Foundation, with high levels of ozone and particulate matter. Our state also has a strict abortion ban and limited anti-discrimination protections, leading to a low inclusivity score.

Indiana’s Supreme Court on Friday denied Attorney General Todd Rokita’s call to dismiss a second disciplinary action against him originally stemming from public comments made three years ago about his investigation of an Indianapolis abortion provider and Rokita’s acceptance of violating the Rules of Professional Conduct for lawyers.

“It is exceptionally rare for respondents to file motions to dismiss disciplinary complaints, and even rarer that we grant them,” Justice Derek Molter wrote in the unanimous opinion.

Indiana taxpayers have covered more than $491,000 in legal bills defending Rokita in multiple disciplinary investigations and formal ethics cases, according to records obtained by the Indiana Capital Chronicle. Possible sanctions include a private or public reprimand,suspension from practice for a set period of time, suspension from practice with reinstatement only after the lawyer proves fitness, and permanent disbarment. More at WTHI from Indiana Capitol Chronicle.

The 14th and Chestnut Community Center is facing closure due to recent federal funding cuts. According to a news release, the community center was notified this week that its federal 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) grant would be halted due to a federal funding freeze, like many organizations. The grant secured $372,000 a year for four years, which was being used to pay staff salaries, utility bills, and develop new programs like art and enrichment.

The 14th and Chestnut Community Center provides essential services like after-school and summer childcare, a food pantry, and others, all for free. During the summer of 2025, the program hosted almost 250 children, five days a week, providing food, field trips, and mentorship.

The center is asking the public for their assistance by making posts on social media or emailing, and reaching out to local legislators. They encourage you to share your personal stories of the center. They will also be collecting donations and looking to host a large fundraiser or speak with a corporate sponsor. More information at MyWabashValley.

The Trump administration's FY2026 budget proposes to eliminate all dedicated federal funding for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC)—the only federal funding source exclusively for before-school, afterschool, and summer learning programs (see above re: 14th & Chestnut) This proposal would cut $20 million in funding for Indiana, endangering the future of out-of-school time (OST) programs that currently support nearly 20,000 Hoosier youth across 200 communities.

This letter-writing effort from the Indiana Afterschool Alliance is one small but important way for you to stand with us and with communities across Indiana to defend afterschool and summer programs. By taking just one minute to send a message to your members of Congress, you’re joining a united statewide effort to protect what matters. Use the form on this page to speak up now. The message is already written—all you have to do is click “Send.”

I was recently reminded of Beautiful Trouble, a platform dedicated to making it easier for people to take creative action for social justice. They provide accessible tools and training that help movements become more creative, effective and sustainable, showing the beauty in activism.

from their website: The secret to our success is our modular toolkit Beautiful Trouble, and its Global-South focused follow-up, Beautiful Rising, which document and disseminate the breakthroughs and innovations of cutting-edge practitioners the world over. The toolkits are multilingual, movement-crowdsourced, evolve in real time alongside the movements they serve, and are available as books, web toolbox, and even a strategy card deck. My favorite? The tactics section. I love a good creative disruption.

Nasty Women - Vigo County calendar | Indivisible Wabash Valley calendar

Saturday, July 26th at 10am: Indivisible Wabash Valley is hosting a Family First rally from 10-11 am at the Vigo County Courthouse. On July 26, Americans in every corner of the country will come together in peaceful marches, rallies, and actions to say: our families come first—not billionaires, not authoritarians, and not corrupt politicians. This rally will benefit the 14th & Chestnut Community Center. more info and registration here.

Friday, August 1 at 6pm: Mile with the Mayor at Herz-Rose Park. A 1-mile walk with the mayor in a city park.

President Trump was booed repeatedly when he appeared in New Jersey to present the FIFA Club World Cup to tournament winners Chelsea. After he photobombed their victory picture they airbrushed him out!

Congress passed its Defense Appropriations bill with Ukraine funding intact, and PEPFAR funding came out of the rescissions package.

Andry Hernández Romero, a gay makeup artist who sought asylum in the U.S. due to persecution in Venezuela but was deported to a prison in El Salvador, has been released as part of a prisoner swap. He was sent to Venezuela, not returned here, but that’s another person who has left CECOT outside of a body bag.

The Miccosukee Tribe in Florida joined environmental groups to sue the federal and state agencies that constructed an immigrant detention center known as “Alligator Alcatraz” and located in the Everglades National Park.

The Department of Veterans Affairs announced it is reversing course on planned mass layoffs, still allowing 30K jobs to be eliminated (“through attrition”), but backing off of the previously announced 80K firings.

Two thousand National Guard troops assigned to duty in Los Angeles more than a month ago are being quietly released from federal duty in Southern California.

Shareholders of large US companies overwhelmingly backed diversity, equity, and inclusion programs this year, despite Washington’s staunch resistance to such initiatives. An analysis found that across 24 companies, including Amazon, Disney, and Apple, anti-DEI shareholder resolutions were defeated by a margin of 98% to 99%.

Trump's time in the White House runs out in:

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