Up First from NPR New Epstein Documents, SCOTUS National Guard, GDP Growth
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Dec 24, 2025 
Joining the discussion are Sarah McCammon, an NPR political correspondent delving into newly unsealed Justice Department documents surrounding Jeffrey Epstein, revealing notable names and connections, and Kat Lonsdorf, an NPR reporter offering insights on the Supreme Court's ruling regarding National Guard deployments in Chicago. They explore the implications of Epstein's uncovered ties, legal disputes affecting national security, and the surprising strength of the U.S. economy as consumer spending rises.
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Epstein Files Reveal Wide Connections
- The DOJ released 30,000 pages showing Jeffrey Epstein's extensive connections to powerful figures, renewing questions about what they knew.
- Many documents are unverified or fake, so disclosures are embarrassing but legally and factually messy.
Flight Logs Include Prominent Names
- Flight logs from the 1990s show President Trump and others traveled on Epstein's plane with high-profile people.
- Trump has not been accused of wrongdoing, but the logs highlight relationships that raise questions.
Fake Materials Mixed With Real Files
- The DOJ flagged multiple items in the files as fake, including a letter to Larry Nassar and a purported suicide video.
- Fake items entered the files because people submitted them for FBI verification after Epstein's death.