In a bipartisan effort, two U.S. lawmakers asked a federal judge to appoint an independent monitor to compel the DOJ to release the Epstein files. The request follows the department's violation of a new federal law that required all files to be released last year.

Friday, January 9

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Letitia James, James Comey take aim at DOJ attempt to revive failed criminal cases

- Former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James asked ([link removed] ) a federal court to allow separate rebuttals against the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) effort to revive its politically motivated cases against them. They argue their cases involve unique issues that must distinctly be addressed.

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‘DOJ cannot be trusted’: Lawmakers ask judge for independent oversight on Epstein files

- In a bipartisan effort, two U.S. lawmakers asked ([link removed] ) a federal judge to appoint an independent monitor to compel the DOJ to release the Epstein files. The request follows the department's violation of a new federal law that required all files to be released last year.

- In a letter to the judge earlier this week, the DOJ said ([link removed] ) it has so far released less than 1% of the documents in its possession.

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DNC warns states that complied with DOJ voter roll demand may have violated federal law

- The Democratic National Committee warned ([link removed] ) 10 states that shared sensitive voter data with the DOJ that they may have violated federal law, specifically a “quiet period provision” barring states from removing voters from their rolls within 90 days of an election.

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Banning mail ballot grace periods would create chaotic ‘dual voting system,’ former election chiefs warn SCOTUS

- Former election chiefs urged ([link removed] ) SCOTUS to uphold mail ballot grace periods, warning that eliminating them would create a chaotic "dual voting system" that forces the adoption of different rules for federal and nonfederal races just before the 2026 midterms.

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After pressure from Trump, Colorado governor signals possible clemency for election denier Tina Peters

- Colorado Gov. Jared Polis suggested ([link removed] ) he’s considering clemency for election denier Tina Peters. The announcement comes days after President Donald Trump vindictively vetoed a bill to fund a clean water pipeline for the state.

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Missouri Secretary of State admits to misleading ballot language for gerrymander referendum

- A lawyer representing Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins (R) admitted ([link removed] ) in court today that the language is “likely to create prejudice” against the measure, which aims to block the GOP’s new gerrymandered congressional map.

- In fact, Hoskins appears so determined to stop the referendum that an advocate for the measure couldn't resist using a report on the NFL playoffs to mock him ([link removed] ) .

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South Carolina sued over National Guard deployment

- South Carolina pro-voting plaintiffs sued ([link removed] ) Gov. Henry McMaster (R) over his deployment of the National Guard to D.C. at Trump’s request, arguing the governor can’t support federal law enforcement in other states under state law. They seek to block the deployment.

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Coming up Monday

- Trial begins in lawsuits ([link removed] ) claiming certain Florida House districts were racially gerrymandered in violation of the 14th Amendment.

- Learn more about the Florida case >>>

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- Responses are due to SCOTUS in right-wing Public Interest Legal Foundation’s petition ([link removed] ) concerning whether it has standing to challenge the denial of access to Pennsylvania's public records under the National Voting Rights Act.

- Learn more about the Pennsylvania case >>> ([link removed] )

AND NOW FOR THIS WEEK’S GOOD NEWS

Judge blocks another Trump loyalist unlawfully running U.S. attorney’s office

- A federal judge ruled ([link removed] ) that John Sarcone, Trump’s handpicked acting U.S. attorney for Northern New York, has been serving illegally for months — the fifth Trump-appointed prosecutor struck down by the courts this term. The decision voids Sarcone’s authority after judges found the administration tried to dodge Senate confirmation rules to keep a loyalist in power. Trump used appointees like Sarcone to target his political enemies.

Missouri voters keep gerrymander fight alive despite GOP obstruction

- Missouri officials confirmed ([link removed] ) that roughly two-thirds of the more than 300,000 signatures submitted to block the state’s new GOP gerrymander are valid — far exceeding the number needed to force a referendum. While Republican Secretary of State Denny Hoskins tossed out about a third of the signatures on dubious technical grounds, organizers say the numbers make it clear that voters, not politicians, will have the final say.

Arizona’s top election official tells DOJ to “pound sand”

- Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes (D) delivered ([link removed] ) one of the strongest rebukes yet to the Trump Justice Department’s attempt to seize voters’ private data, vowing he will not comply even after the DOJ sued his state. Fontes said the department would have to “put me in jail” before he would illegally hand over unredacted voter rolls, calling the demand reckless, unlawful and dangerous.

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