<[link removed]>



Trump gives masterclass with Epstein files on how to appear very guilty



There is a concept in the legal world called "consciousness of guilt," which
in layman's terms means that if a defendant acts guilty after committing a
crime, prosecutors can use that behavior as evidence to prove guilt. The Trump
administration's behavior with the Epstein files release is a great example of
that legal concept.

Over the weekend, the Department of Justice—which has been bastardized into
President Donald Trump's personal legal team and revenge squad rather than an
independent law enforcement agency—deleted at least 16 of the Epstein files
that had been released. One of those deleted files depicted Trump himself.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche tried to defend the deletion of the
photo, but ended up making things even worse for himself and Trump.




 



No sugar-coating it: Daily Kos needs your help. Can you chip in $5 today?
<[link removed]
On Record&addr1=&city=Cedar Knolls&state=District of Columbia&phone=>

Donate $5
<[link removed]
On Record&addr1=&city=Cedar Knolls&state=District of Columbia&phone=>

 



"You can see in that photo there are photographs of women. We learned after
releasing it that there were concerns about those women," Blanche told NBC's
Kirsten Welker as to why the image—which was a picture of photographs in a
drawer that showed Trump—was deleted.

"Are you saying that one or more of those women is a victim of Epstein?"
Welker asked, catching Blanche in a bind, as that means Trump was included in
photos with Epstein victims.

The deletion of files came after the DOJ did not follow the law and only
released some of the documents relating to the late accused pedophile Jeffrey
Epstein—even though the bill Congress passed compelled the administration to
release all of the files it possessed.

That was predictable, as Attorney General Pam Bondi had telegraphed after
Congress’ bill passed that the DOJ would not be complying with the law.

Even more egregious is that the DOJ redacted mentions of "politically exposed
individuals and government officials" in the files, according to Fox News,
which likely would protect Trump, who we know was mentioned multiple times in
the documents.

It also appears some of the redactions were done to make certain people look
guilty.

For example, a photo of former President Bill Clinton, late pop icon Michael
Jackson, and singer Diana Ross was included in the files. That image had big
squares blacking out images of other people in the photo, implying that the
trio was with victims of Epstein's abuse. However, the photo had been public
for decades, and the redacted faces were of Ross' and Jackson's children—making
the image deceptively redacted to imply guilt in a despicable politicalization
of the files.

Of course, Trump has been acting guilty about his ties to Epstein for months.




 



No billionaire backers, no paywalls. Daily Kos news exists because of YOU, our
small-donor community. Now, we need your help. Please donate today.
<[link removed]
On Record&addr1=&city=Cedar Knolls&state=District of Columbia&phone=>

Click here to donate
<[link removed]
On Record&addr1=&city=Cedar Knolls&state=District of Columbia&phone=>

 



He refused to release the Epstein files himself, vowing revenge against any
Republican lawmakers who would join Democrats to force the documents to be
released. In fact, his once close relationship to Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene
(R-GA) went up in flames after she helped force the Epstein files vote.

Ultimately, now that the administration is playing fast and loose with the
law, Democrats and Republicans alike are vowing to seek punishment.

Reps. Ro Khanna (D-CA) and Thomas Massie (R-KY)—who authored the legislation
that forced the files to be released—said they will seek to hold Bondi in
contempt.

“Unfortunately, @AGPambondi is breaking the law. Epstein survivors aren't
satisfied with the DOJ's incomplete and redacted Epstein files disclosures, and
neither am I,” Massie wrote in a post on X. “Congress should assert its ability
to hold Bondi in ‘inherent contempt’ to get justice for the survivors.”

And Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said he is introducing legislation
to "initiate legal action against the DOJ for its blatant disregard of the law
in its refusal to release the complete Epstein files."

Click here to check out this story on DailyKos.com.
<[link removed]>





 



We're not asking for much



The average donation to Daily Kos has been just $9.44. These donations may
seem small, but they're a big deal to us. In fact, they are our largest source
of income. We literally couldn't do the work we do without them. Can you join
thousands of other Daily Kos readers and help us with a donation of $9.44 right
now?

Donate $9.44
<[link removed]
On Record&addr1=&city=Cedar Knolls&state=District of Columbia&phone=>



 



You received this email because you signed up for newsletters from Daily Kos.
To stop receiving this newsletter, unsubscribe
<[link removed]>
ormanage
<[link removed]
On Record&city=Cedar Knolls&state=District of Columbia&country=United
States&metadataCustom=testunsub> which newsletters you receive.