Political Wire

Second Epstein Files Discharge Petition Has the Signatures

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“Reps. Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna announced Thursday that they have amassed enough signatures to bring a vote on a second bill to force the release of files related to the disgraced financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein,” the Washington Sun reports.

“Four Republicans, including Massie, of Kentucky, Reps. Ralph Norman and Nancy Mace, both of South Carolina, and Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, have agreed to sign on to a discharge petition for a measure dubbed the Epstein Files Transparency Act II — joining every Democrat, Massie said in a social media post.”

House GOP’s Epstein Files Headache Is Back

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“The Epstein files fight that consumed the House last year is threatening to engulf Republicans all over again,” Axios reports.

“Why it matters: Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) is now just one Republican away from having the support he needs to force another politically painful Epstein vote — and he and his allies are hunting for the final GOP signature.”

23-Year-Old Georgia Mayor Removed From Office

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“Lawmakers in an Atlanta suburb removed the city’s young mayor, accusing him of misusing a municipal credit card and engaging in inappropriate, sexually explicit communications with a teenager,” NBC News reports.

“The City Council of Stockbridge, Georgia, voted 3-0 to remove Jayden Williams, 23, from office about 10 months after he was elected.”

Ex-Fetterman Aides to ‘Expose’ Behind-the-Scene Details

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“Former staffers for Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) are threatening to expose what they say happened behind the scenes in his Senate office,” NewsNation reports.

“The group, which remains anonymous, operates an X account called ‘Former Fetterman Staffers.'”

“The account says it plans to release its first batch of stories and screenshots from former aides’ time working for the Pennsylvania senator.”

Pardon Brokers Offer to ‘Put Pressure On the President’

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CBS News: “There has never been such a dizzying pardon economy as there is in Washington right now — a Wild West of clemency populated by MAGA-connected brokers and influencers — where the old norms have been largely tossed aside.”

“Previously, those seeking clemency typically went through the Justice Department. More than two dozen DOJ lawyers weighed factors that often included an applicant’s remorse and evidence of rehabilitation, and recommended worthy recipients to the president. That process has been largely sidelined.”

Democratic Candidate Once Modeled for Fetish Sex Shop

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“Chris Gallant, the Democratic nominee running against Long Island Rep. Nick LaLota (R-NY) was previously involved in a very different kind of campaign: selling toys as a model for a fetish sex shop,” the New York Post reports.

“Gallant appeared in multiple pics for ‘Mr. S Leather,’ a San Francisco-based purveyor of leather-daddy supplies, wearing collars, leather straps, neoprene, bondage gear, and more.”

North Carolina GOP Rally Opened by Sex Offender

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“A pastor kicked off a recent campaign stop for Michael Whatley, the Republican nominee for Senate, with a prayer that asked God to bestow ‘integrity and honesty’ upon the event and to right wrongs ‘hammered down on the conservative movement,'” the Associated Press reports.

“The prayer was hardly unusual by North Carolina political standards. What was surprising was the man who delivered it. Pastor Daimon L. King is a registered sex offender, twice sentenced to prison for convictions involving children, according to state and court records.”

Misconduct Inquiry Gives Mikie Sherrill Another Headache

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“New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill, a rising star in the Democratic Party, is facing the second major political headache of her first year in office after opening an investigation examining allegations surrounding her lieutenant governor,” the Wall Street Journal reports.

“Sherrill has hired an outside law firm to probe allegations that Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell was behaving inappropriately with women. That probe has been under way for months, according to a person interviewed by attorneys with the firm, but wasn’t made public at the time.”

Deputy Pentagon Chief Tied to Spy Scandal

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“The Defense Department’s powerful second in command does not seek out the spotlight. But recently, Steve Feinberg has found himself entangled in the unusual and very public case of an arrested CIA officer found with $40 million worth of gold bars stored at his home,” NBC News reports.

“The deputy defense secretary, a 66-year-old private equity titan, has a keen interest in military intelligence — he left his financial firm last year to join the Defense Department. He has been described as ‘reclusive’ and insular. He has been a major Republican donor for years, he has relationships with many U.S. leaders, and he prefers to work behind the scenes.”

“But Feinberg’s professional relationship with former CIA officer David Rush, accused of running a long con on the nation’s top spy agency and stashing gold, cash and luxury watches at his home, has brought him unwelcome attention.”

Ex-Fetterman Aides May Expose Internal Messages

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“Senator John Fetterman, Democrat of Pennsylvania, has for years detested the day-to-day duties of his job, dismissing such tasks as going to hearings and casting votes as a ‘performative’ waste of time,” the New York Times reports.

“Now, a group of his disillusioned former staff members — of which there are many — is threatening to reveal more about his private disdain for what is expected of him as an elected representative of 13 million constituents.”

Matt Bevin Booked Into Jail After Arrest

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“Former Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin (R) was arrested Thursday evening in Paris, Kentucky, according to 911 dispatchers,” WDRB reports.

“The active bench warrant against Bevin was for failing to turn over financial documents related to his ongoing child support case.”

Trump’s Labor Secretary Stoked Dysfunction and Toxicity

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“Former Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer violated department policy repeatedly, a report released on Thursday by the department’s internal watchdog said, including tolerating harassment, spending public money on personal travel and conducting an ‘inappropriate relationship’ with a member of her security detail,” the New York Times reports.

“The 40-page report revealed new details of the dysfunction and toxicity at the top of the Labor Department under Ms. Chavez-DeRemer, who resigned in April after one year in the job as scandals and investigations closed in.”

New York Post: Salacious details of ex-Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer’s strip club visit, relationship with bodyguard revealed in IG report.

Taegan Goddard

Taegan Goddard

Taegan Goddard is the founder of Political Wire -- which for more than two decades has been one of the nation's most influential political news sites.

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