Today in Politics, Bulletin 171. 7/15/25

… Pam Bondi came out of hiding today, as the AG who spent seemingly every waking hour on Fox has kept a low profile since the Epstein Files controversy exploded last week. She was asked her response to the MAGA base upset that she is blocking release of the files. She ignored the question: “We're going to fight to keep America safe again and we're fighting together as a team. We've got a war on drugs.”

… So Bondi basically told MAGA to STFU and go away.

… Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) introduced an amendment to release the Epstein files in the Rules Committee, and it was rejected after Rep. Ralph Norman (SC) was the only Republican to vote for it. Always cowardly Chip Roy (R-TX) skipped the vote. These are the Republicans who voted to block the release:

• Charwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC)

• Michelle Fischbach (R-MN)

• Erin Houchin (R-IN)

• Nick Langworthy (R-NY)

• Austin Scott (R-GA)

• Morgan Griffith (R-VA)

• Brian Jack (R-GA)

… Elon Musk responded: “Extremely troubling.”

… Khanna then brought the amendment to the floor: “Last night the Speaker's Rules Committee voted to block my amendment that called for the full release of the Epstein files. You ask why did they vote this way? Because these rich and powerful men donate to the politicians in DC. They are foreign leaders who we don't want to offend. They interact with our intelligence agencies that we don't want to disobey.”

… Rep. Marc Veasey (D-TX): “We will not stop demanding the truth. We demand the immediate release of Epstein files - no more games, no more lies, no more protection for predators hiding behind the rich and powerful.”

… Rep. Mary Scanlon (D-PA): “Why would they try to prevent the truth about Epstein's abuse and those he enabled from coming out? That's anybody's guess. But with this previous question the entire Republican conference has the opportunity to correct that mistake. They can vote today to release the Epstein files.”

… Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA): “What is Bondi hiding? She needs to release the Epstein files. I also note the Epstein files that have already been released show that Trump is all over the files. He’s in multiple pictures with Epstein. There’s multiple videos of Trump with Epstein. There are plane logs of Trump on Epstein’s plane.”

… Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD): “Why after promising after all these years to release the Epstein files will Trump not release them? We know they were friends. We know they hung out. We know they have all these pictures together. That doesn’t look good if they cover up all the info. The whole country is saying release the files. That’s what Trump said. That’s what Vance said. That’s what the AG said. That’s what the FBI director said. And now suddenly they want to sweep the whole thing under the rug. Why don’t we have a real hearing?”

… Nikki Haley: “Release the Epstein files and let the chips fall where they may. This is why people don’t trust government. You can never go wrong with being transparent. Redact victims’ names but release the rest.”

… But that was voted down 211-210.

… Gavin Newsom: “Why try so hard to block a list that ‘doesn’t exist?’”

… MAGA activist Laura Loomer responded to Republicans voting down release of the Epstein Files to the American public: “Uhm, does anyone care about the midterms anymore? What are we doing?”

… While this was going on, Trump was asked about Bondi’s handling of it outside the WH: “These files were made up by Comey and Obama, and made up by the Biden people. It’s going to be up to her. Whatever Bondi thinks is credible in there she ought to release.”

… Trump supporter Alexander Augustine reacted to Trump’s statement on X with this statement, which drew 30,000 likes in 2 hours: “Bro, he thinks his supporters are straight up retarded.”

… I responded on X that Trump has thought that since 2016.

… MAGA influencer Evan Kilgore: “Donald Trump thinks were idiots.”

… Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) to CNN: “Find them guilty and hang them publicly.” Q - Do you trust what the Justice Department is saying about Epstein? Burchett: “I don’t.”

… Bondi was then asked about Trump’s statement. Q - The President said you would release credible files related to Epstein. Are you prepared to do that? Bondi: “Our memo speaks for itself. We’ll get back to you on anything else. I haven’t seen all of his statements.”

… Again, that sounds like another ‘no’ from Bondi, who is just going to stonewall this for Trump.

… CNN’s Kaitlan Collins: “I was told the president was very angry with Dan Bongino and also the FBI director Kash Patel to a degree, which is why you saw Patel put out that statement over the weekend saying he had no plans to resign.”

… The first polls since the Epstein controversy were released today by two conservative pollsters. The conservative Democracy Institute, whose final poll before the 2024 election exactly matched the results, asked voters if they agree with Trump not releasing the files: • 67% of MAGA voters oppose the move • 71% of 2024 first-time voters disapprove • 63% of all Americans disagree.

… MAGA attorney Robert Barnes reacted to the poll: “The most upset voters about the Epstein Files are exactly who the poll has identified - young, independent, working class, new 2024 Trump voters. The same voter group also unhappy about Iran War risks and Ukraine escalation. If Trump loses these voters, the GOP is toast in 2026.”

… Mark Mitchell with Trump’s favorite Rasmussen poll: Independent Trump Approval a week after Inauguration was up 6 points. Trump’s Approval with independent voters is now down 19 points. A major part of Trump's new coalition are PISSED.”

… Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) on CNN: "It's all part of this larger conspiracy environment that Trump thrives in, whether it be birtherism or other things. Now the Frankenstein monster has returned to his front door - his MAGA base is demanding a release of all of this information and Democrats agree with MAGA base. He's alone in a corner right now."

… Naftali Bennett: “As a former Israeli PM, with the Mossad having reported directly to me, I say to you with 100% certainty: The accusation that Epstein somehow worked for Israel or the Mossad running a blackmail ring is categorically and totally false. Epstein’s conduct, both the criminal and the merely despicable, had nothing whatsoever to do with the Mossad or the State of Israel. Epstein never worked for the Mossad.”

… “This accusation is a lie being peddled by prominent online personalities such as Tucker Carlson pretending they know things they don’t. They just make things up, say it with confidence and these lies stick, because it’s Israel. There’s a vicious wave of slander and lies against my country and my people, and we just won’t take it anymore.”

… Punchbowl: “President Trump told Texas Republicans on a call this morning that the GOP will seek to get 5 new red seats in the mid-decade redistricting effort in Texas. Big change in Texas that will have massive impact on the 2026 midterms.”

… CA Gov. Gavin Newsom: “Two can play this game.”

… House Dem Leader Hakeem Jeffries: “Trump has ordered Texas Republicans to try to produce 5 additional seats. I have no expectation that they are going to try to show any political courage by refusing. Texas Republicans are likely going to continue to act like political punks and bend the knee. In doing so, they will jeopardize their own electoral careers.”

… Trump was asked about it today: Q - Are you calling for a complete redraw of the Texas congressional map? Trump: “No, just a very simple redraw - we pick up 5 seats. And then a couple of other states where we will pick up seats also.”

… Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), who could be a target of TX Republicans redistricting efforts: "I need people of color to understand that the scheme of the Republicans has consistently been to make sure that they mute our voices. I fully anticipate that's where they are going with this map."

… Quorum Report said that Jeffries and DNC Chair Ken Martin have told Texas Dems not to show up for the special session to redraw districts, which would deny Republicans a quorum to proceed under state law.

… AG Ken Paxton, who is running for Senate and whose wife just filed for divorce, then threatened to arrest any Democratic Rep who failed to show up: “If Democrats ignore their duty to their constituents by breaking quorum, they should be found and arrested no matter where they go. The people of TX elected them to do a job, not run away and hide like cowards. Lawmakers must answer the special session call and pass the important priorities that the Governor has put forward. My office stands ready to assist local, state, and federal authorities in hunting down and compelling the attendance of anyone who abandons their office and their constituents for cheap political theater.”

… Newsom responded: “Nothing screams democracy quite like threatening to arrest elected officials. Keep it up, Ken. Really showing the American people your true colors.”

… The grass roots organizing group Indivisible, which organized several of the protests of the Trump admin including ‘No Kings’, is conducting three online training sessions called ‘One Million Rising’ to train people in community organizing for upcoming protests and campaigns. That is the link for anyone who wants to sign up. The first one is tomorrow night at 8 PM ET.

… CNBC: “Consumer prices rose in June as President Trump’s tariffs began to slowly work their way through the US economy. The consumer price index, a broad-based measure of goods and services costs, increased 0.3% on the month, putting the 12-month inflation rate at 2.7%. The annual rate is the highest since Feb and still above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target.”

… “Excluding volatile food and energy prices, core inflation picked up 0.2% on the month, with the annual rate moving to 2.9%, with the annual rate in line with estimates. The monthly level was slightly below the outlook for a 0.3% gain.”

… Economist Heather Long: “You can see the jump in inflation in June. Some key imports are starting to spike in price. Price hikes in June alone: Durable goods +0.5% Linens +5.9% Oranges +4.7% Olives +4.4% Cookware +4% Audio equipment +2.9% Major appliances +2.4% Coffee +2.2% Sports equipment +1.8% Toys +1.4% Some items did see decreases: Eggs -10.8% New vehicles -0.2% Bottom line: This is just the beginning. But we need to watch food closely. Increases there are really tough on middle class and moderate-income households.”

… Trump just imposed a 17% tariffs on Mexican tomatoes. 50% of the tomatoes in the US come from Mexico.

… Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick was asked on CNBC on why we are now putting 50% tariffs on copper: "If all you do is import, aluminum, and copper, how are you going to fight a war? We need steel to be made domestically, so that if we want to fight a war, we can make our own ships, our own missiles."

…. Atlantic columnist David Frum: “Almost all America's copper imports come from Canada, Chile, and Peru, so that offers a fair idea of the countries that Lutnick wants to go to war against.”

… The 30-year Treasury yield rose today to 5%.

Reminder that there is no Bulletin tomorrow because I do my podcast Uncovered where we do a deep dive into the top 10 stories of the week, and then Ask the Editor with Ben where I answer 5 of your questions. You can submit your questions for Ask the Editor as a reply to this story.

If you missed yesterday’s Bulletin, you can find it here.

… Minutes after the rising inflation report was released, Trump threw out another distraction on Truth Social: “I have always suspected Shifty Adam Schiff was a scam artist. And now I learn that Fannie Mae’s Financial Crimes Division have concluded