this post was submitted on 18 Nov 2025
311 points (100.0% liked)

politics

26418 readers
2333 users here now

Welcome to the discussion of US Politics!

Rules:

  1. Post only links to articles, Title must fairly describe link contents. If your title differs from the site’s, it should only be to add context or be more descriptive. Do not post entire articles in the body or in the comments.

Links must be to the original source, not an aggregator like Google Amp, MSN, or Yahoo.

Example:

  1. Articles must be relevant to politics. Links must be to quality and original content. Articles should be worth reading. Clickbait, stub articles, and rehosted or stolen content are not allowed. Check your source for Reliability and Bias here.
  2. Be civil, No violations of TOS. It’s OK to say the subject of an article is behaving like a (pejorative, pejorative). It’s NOT OK to say another USER is (pejorative). Strong language is fine, just not directed at other members. Engage in good-faith and with respect! This includes accusing another user of being a bot or paid actor. Trolling is uncivil and is grounds for removal and/or a community ban.
  3. No memes, trolling, or low-effort comments. Reposts, misinformation, off-topic, trolling, or offensive. Similarly, if you see posts along these lines, do not engage. Report them, block them, and live a happier life than they do. We see too many slapfights that boil down to "Mom! He's bugging me!" and "I'm not touching you!" Going forward, slapfights will result in removed comments and temp bans to cool off.
  4. Vote based on comment quality, not agreement. This community aims to foster discussion; please reward people for putting effort into articulating their viewpoint, even if you disagree with it.
  5. No hate speech, slurs, celebrating death, advocating violence, or abusive language. This will result in a ban. Usernames containing racist, or inappropriate slurs will be banned without warning

We ask that the users report any comment or post that violate the rules, to use critical thinking when reading, posting or commenting. Users that post off-topic spam, advocate violence, have multiple comments or posts removed, weaponize reports or violate the code of conduct will be banned.

All posts and comments will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. This means that some content that violates the rules may be allowed, while other content that does not violate the rules may be removed. The moderators retain the right to remove any content and ban users.

That's all the rules!

Civic Links

Register To Vote

Citizenship Resource Center

Congressional Awards Program

Federal Government Agencies

Library of Congress Legislative Resources

The White House

U.S. House of Representatives

U.S. Senate

Partnered Communities:

News

World News

Business News

Political Discussion

Ask Politics

Military News

Global Politics

Moderate Politics

Progressive Politics

UK Politics

Canadian Politics

Australian Politics

New Zealand Politics

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
all 42 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] DaMummy@lemmy.world 112 points 1 day ago (8 children)

This story is getting fishyer by the minute. First Trump wants files released, then House overwhelmingly votes to release it, than Senate votes unanimously to release it....

[–] Hayduke@lemmy.world 125 points 1 day ago (2 children)

They either A: scrubbed any conservative loyalist from anything they will release, or B: will indefinitely stall it with some bullshit excuse that they fabricated.

It’s clear that he was terrified of them being released in an un-redacted state. They have been all over the map on this subject, contradicting themselves at every turn. Denying, acknowledging, saying it’s a tool used by the left, but only the left are guilty in the files, etc… It could not be more clear what the implications are should the raw content go public.

[–] joekar1990@lemmy.world 17 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Based on the calendar they dragged it out so he could pocket veto it.

I get the feeling redacting things will backfire in a spectacular way. I hope they do it, and I hope I'm right in thinking a lot of copies exist.

[–] ryannathans@aussie.zone 41 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Almost like the files have changed?

[–] shittydwarf@piefed.social 27 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

They did say they had more than 1000 agents working on it months ago so I'm sure they've been working on edits

[–] MisterCrisper@lemmy.world 32 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Trump called on the DOJ to investigate others in the Epstein files four days ago. Bondi now only has to say that the files are being used in an open investigation and can't be released at this time. This is the usual protocol for active investigations. Trump will then say that his hands are tied - he wants to release the files but the DOJ won't let him.

This is similar to what he did with his personal tax information before and during his first term. He said, I'm being audited by the IRS, and they won't allow me to release my taxes until the audit is complete. This allowed him to say, 'I want to show you my taxes but the IRS won't let me.'

He wants you to know that he is transparent and honest and trying to do the right thing but there are powerful forces working against him. Poor Donald.

[–] mycodesucks@lemmy.world 14 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Except that's a lie - an investigation by the IRS does NOT prevent you from releasing tax documents. Not even by tradition.

It's absolute nonsense.

[–] Pelicanen@sopuli.xyz 14 points 1 day ago

It doesn't have to be true, it just has to convince his base and that's a low bar.

[–] Nyoka@sh.itjust.works 6 points 1 day ago (1 children)

The problem is then it goes to the courts, and the courts do discovery. Then it's in the news. Again.

He's floundering.

[–] CileTheSane@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 day ago

Only if they ever finish their investigation.

[–] NuXCOM_90Percent@lemmy.zip 25 points 1 day ago

In between screaming about inventing water and endorsing the murder of a journalist, trump changed his tactic to supporting the release of the files. So no republicans are going to oppose that.

Most likely the documents are modified. The good news is that there are plenty of third parties who have seen it as part of investigations. The questions will be if they decide to say anything AND if "fake news" works.

I... am not optimistic.

[–] MimicJar@lemmy.world 15 points 1 day ago

In addition to all the other reasons, I think the plan is just to pretend not to care.

Don Jr did something similar a few years back, that lead to the meme/quote, "I…worked on this story for a year…and…he just…he tweeted it out."

It seemed to work for him.

[–] Yawweee877h444@lemmy.world 11 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

I'm glad some of us are suspicious.

Almost the entire Republican party has been doing everything they can to cover for trump, then all of the sudden, this? All Republicans except one, 427-1? And trump says he'll sign it?

This is a fucking clown show.

[–] Heikki2@lemmy.world 11 points 1 day ago

The fish you're smelling is rotting from the head.

[–] mokus@lemmy.blahaj.zone 6 points 1 day ago (1 children)

The moment it becomes clear it’s going to pass, even a complete moron knows they shouldn’t be a “no” in the voting record. If there’s even a small chance of scattered shitstorms, that’s a risk with no upside.

[–] DERRALEXANO@sh.itjust.works 8 points 1 day ago

even a complete moron knows they shouldn’t be a “no” in the voting record.

Someone tell Louisiana congressman Glen Clay Higgins.

[–] Archangel1313@lemmy.ca 92 points 1 day ago (2 children)

I am 100% positive that the entire time they've been delaying the release, they've been working 24/7 to edit all mention any Republicans or their donors, out of those files.

And just like always...it's going to be super obvious that the files have all been tampered with.

[–] turdburglar@piefed.social 17 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

no you’ve got it all wrong, see…the computer resets at midnight, that’s why there’s ~~a missing minute~~ no mention of trump

[–] aceshigh@lemmy.world 10 points 1 day ago

And I suspect, just like last time, there will be trails of the scrubbing and editing and deleting. We’ve got a whole lot of drama on the way. Just in time for the holidays no less.

[–] minorkeys@lemmy.world 27 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Oh look, something in a positive direction is happening....what's the catch?

[–] krashmo@lemmy.world 47 points 1 day ago (1 children)

They're edited files that heavily favor Republicans. No doubt about it

[–] zqps@sh.itjust.works 12 points 1 day ago

No I'm sure they resisted this immensely popular thing for many months for absolutely no reason /s

[–] YurkshireLad@lemmy.ca 26 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Maybe they replaced every reference to Trump with the name of a Democrat.

[–] RaoulDuke85@piefed.social 6 points 1 day ago

John Barron.

[–] Wilco@lemmy.zip 19 points 1 day ago

They delayed enough to get them edited.

[–] Zachariah@lemmy.world 14 points 1 day ago

Maybe they finally realized it doesn’t matter what the files say because their followers will just believe whatever they tell them to believe.

[–] ramenshaman@lemmy.world 13 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Unanimously? How can anything in US politics in 2025 be approved unanimously?

[–] Zink@programming.dev 2 points 1 day ago

I might be wrong here, but judging by a clip I saw yesterday there wasn't an actual vote. Schumer stood up and said something like "I think we should just unanimously pass it through" and then somebody else asked if there were any objections. There were none so then it passed or something.

[–] santa@sh.itjust.works 11 points 1 day ago

It didn’t even take Congress. He could’ve ordered it by now at any point.

[–] CileTheSane@lemmy.ca 10 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Saw an article saying Mike Johnson voted for it but wanted the Senate to make changes to it, which the Senate didn't do. I think this is a case of Trump being an idiot and expecting others to take the fall for him.

Trump: "I will say publicly that I want them released so it doesn't look like I'm trying to hide something. The Republicans in the House and Senate will take the fall for me."

Republicans in the house: "I'm not going to take the fall being the one who blocked this, not after Trump has said he wants them released. I am not going to have those crazy MAGAs eating my face. The Senate will block this for me."

Republicans in the Senate: "Fuck that, I'm not taking the fall for blocking this, Trump can veto it if he wants."

Trump thinks people are actually loyal to him, instead of "loyal as long as they benefit from it personally." His next step will be to ask the DoJ to say they are part of an ongoing investigation to give him an excuse to veto it. "I wanted it released. All the Republicans wanted in released. DoJ says we can't."

And all the people not asking why all the people who said the files were a hoax and didn't exist are now trying to release them will accept it.

[–] daannii@lemmy.world 2 points 14 hours ago

Nah. I think he told them to pass it. Because they had time to alter them and they did.

[–] deacon@lemmy.world 4 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Shout out to one politician from either house to have voted against this.

Fuck, I already forgot his name. Oh well.

[–] Tower@lemmy.zip 6 points 1 day ago (1 children)
[–] deacon@lemmy.world 5 points 1 day ago (1 children)
[–] Delilah@lemmy.blahaj.zone 3 points 1 day ago

Sure, that ~~asshole~~ child rapist

FTFY