The Brian Lehrer Show Monday Morning Politics: Shutdown Ends; Epstein Files
Nov 17, 2025
Eleanor Mueller, a Congressional reporter for Semafor, dives into the latest in national politics. She discusses the intricate details of the Epstein files and what they reveal about Trump. The talk includes strategic House votes and GOP motivations for releasing documents now. Mueller highlights the implications of 2011 emails linking Trump to Epstein’s activities. Additionally, they touch on health care debates and the future of ACA subsidies, exploring the Republican proposals and Democratic strategies. It’s a whirlwind of political maneuvering and intrigue!
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Congress Pushes For Full Release Of Epstein Files
- The House bill would force DOJ to release all Epstein-related files, a power even House Oversight lacks.
- Republicans argued they already had some emails but the discharge petition seeks a fuller, mandatory release.
Emails Contradict Trump's Denials
- Epstein's emails claim Trump "knew about the girls," which contradicts Trump's public denials.
- If true, that gap is politically damaging and could carry legal exposure like failure-to-report allegations.
Legal And Political Roadblocks To Release
- The administration may delay or block releases by citing ongoing criminal investigations.
- DOJ maneuvers and a possible presidential veto create multiple hurdles even if Congress votes to release documents.