|
 |
Why subscribe? One of my paid subscribers, Nanalin, says it best: “I believe in what you say and how you express your thoughts. Your words cause me to look inward and think beyond my own personal situation. I am Canadian but know that what’s happening in the USA is on our doorstep, and we must pay close attention to what is happening to democracy around the world.” Thanks, Nanalin! Glad you’re on board.
For as little as $5 a month, you get weekly live chats with Joe, a monthly shareable deep dive into critical issues, and, most importantly, you’ll be supporting our growing resistance movement across America!
 |
I had a change of heart about something this week that I wanted to share with you. On Sunday, I posted this about the Jeffrey Epstein case, which has been dominating the headlines lately (and frankly I was sick of hearing about it):
 |
Many of you responded here and on other social platforms, and you made some damn good points. You convinced me that we need to care about both of these issues. Here’s why:
Transparency and justice matter. First and foremost, there were real victims in the Epstein case—and real perpetrators. The same transparency and justice we’re seeking with regard to the treatment of migrants are due to the young women abused at the hands of Jeffrey Epstein and his “clients.”
“Nothing to see here” is a HUGE red flag. The very fact that Donald Trump is pushing back as hard as he is (here, here, and here) against the release of any relevant evidence in the case suggests that something is amiss. Calling it fake news cooked up by Barack Obama, Jim Comey, and Joe Biden? Telling MAGA world to “move on” from the “hoax”? Demanding that we forget about Epstein—even though he never forgets about anyone ever? It just doesn’t add up.
Trump is facing an internal civil war. It’s crazy, isn’t it? Trump tried to overthrow an American election, he literally works for Vladimir Putin, and he thinks he’s above the law. None of it mattered to MAGA voters. But the Epstein files could be, at long last, his Achilles heel. Much of the criticism of Trump is coming from his own “guys and gals.” Good! That’s as it should be.
MAGA Inc. is being exposed. Dan Bongino, Kash Patel, and Pam Bondi (as well as Charlie Kirk and the entire MAGA ecosystem) were ranting about the Epstein files and the “deep state” for years—-and making good money at it. Now they’re the deep state, and they’re being revealed as the performance artists they are. With any luck, MAGA voters may start to wonder what else they’ve lied about.
This is a unifying issue. Americans across the political spectrum are dissatisfied with how this case has been handled. That’s enough for me. I’m new to the Democratic Party, but there are no sacred cows here. Release the evidence and let the chips fall where they may.
There’s a slim chance that Congressional Republicans might actually grow a spine around the case. Breaking with Trump, Speaker Mike Johnson has called for “transparency” on Epstein—before voting against an amendment to release the Epstein files not once but twice. But all is not lost. Republican Rep. Thomas Massie, along with Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna, have introduced a bipartisan bill that would require the release the Epstein files within 30 days. Johnson is reportedly amenable to bringing it up for a vote. Democrats are also calling for Bondi and Patel to testify before Congress. So stay tuned.
Personally, I hate conspiracy theories. And in the end, there may not be much more to this story than what we already know. There may be no solid evidence of sex crimes or pedophilia against Trump or any other powerful elites. But we still deserve to know that with certainty. Especially since Trump and the MAGA right spent years dangling the Epstein files in front of Americans like a juicy, conspiratorial carrot. If you’re going to rile people up like that for clicks and power, you shouldn’t get to walk away from it quite so easily.
Thanks for helping me to see that.
Maxwell, Epstein's ex-girlfriend, said she would speak before Congress —The National Desk
Dan Bongino Strands Himself on Epstein's Island —National Review
Fox News falls in line with Trump’s Epstein plea—but will the rest of MAGA media comply? —CNN
Attorney General Pam Bondi fires top Justice Department ethics official —ABC News
Trump's Troubling History with Young Girls —Salty Politics with Julie Roginsky
We Want a Special Counsel —Civil Discourse with Joyce Vance
 |
Detention without trial. Camps built overnight. Isolation by design. Government tours meant to sanitize the horror. What’s happening at “Alligator Alcatraz” mirrors 1930s Germany—before the gas chambers. That’s how it started. This is how it starts. Don’t look away. And share the stories with everyone you know.
ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ
 |
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz just toured Alligator Alcatraz —@allenanalysis on X/Twitter
Florida lawmaker Anna Eskamani on her ‘horrific’ visit to ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ detention center —WBUR
Frost on ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ visit: ‘I saw myself in those cages’ —The Hill
‘It’s a concentration camp’: Everything we know about Trump’s new ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ in the Florida Everglades —The Independent
‘Alligator Alcatraz’ showcases Donald Trump’s penchant for visual cruelty —The Conversation
More 'Alligator Alcatraz' centers to be built by states flush with cash —News from the States
The Young GOPer Behind ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ Is the Dark Future of MAGA —The New Republic
ICE POLICIES & ABUSES
‘I have my family to take care of’: California artist detained by ICE —NBC News
ICE detained a disabled vet and won’t tell his family where he is —@Acyn on X/Twitter
California farmworker dies after falling from rooftop during ICE raid —New York Daily News
 |
|
Immigration court gets riskier for asylum-seekers amid ICE arrests —San Francisco Chronicle
ICE agents blasted by families, officials for arresting migrants in NYC courts despite open cases —New York Daily News
ICE memo outlines plan to deport migrants to countries where they are not citizens —The Washington Post
ICE Set to Vastly Expand Its Reach With New Funds —The New York Times
Trump Slams Democrat-Sponsored Bill To Make ICE Agents Show Faces, IDs —Newsweek
OTHER POLICIES & ABUSES
Whistleblower Emails Expose Fresh Trump Abuses in Abrego Garcia Case —The New Republic
Law used to kick out Nazis could be used to strip citizenship from many more Americans —CNN
‘I want my vote back’: Trump-voting family stunned after Canadian mother detained over immigration status —The Guardian
Hey, I want to hear from you! Want to host a conversation with Joe in your town? Want to send us a 600-word op-ed or video clip on how we can mend our frayed social contract and rebuild an America that works? Want to appear with Joe on Substack Live? Just need to vent? Send it our way!
Tell us your story and share your feedback about our Substack community by emailing our editor at [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you!
Thank you for being a free subscriber of The Social Contract! We are most grateful. If you believe our mission is worthwhile, and you can spare a few bucks a month, please consider upgrading your subscription now.
| ||||||||||
