
Letters to the Editor: Meaningful immigration reform must come from both sides of the aisle
As Washington bureau chief Michael Wilner notes, Democratic Sen. Ruben Gallego of Arizona is also working on immigration reform. He is a centrist Democrat and has a proposal titled 'Securing the Border and Fueling Economic Prosperity.' His plan calls for significant border security enhancements as well as an increase in visa and green card opportunities and pathways to citizenship.
Americans from both parties could support immigration reform that is humane and economically sensible. We now have two lawmakers from different political ideologies who have the opportunity to work together and get their colleagues on board on the way to making America a better place to live, and to create a more hopeful future for our children.
Anastacio Vigil, Santa Monica
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Newsweek
25 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Pam Bondi Handed Epstein Files Road Map—'Follow the Money'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Senator Ron Wyden, the most senior Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, has written to Attorney General Pam Bondi urging her to "follow the money" and launch a fresh investigation into the financial affairs of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein using Treasury Department documents. In his letter sent on Monday, Wyden said the Department of Justice (DOJ) "failed to conduct a real investigation into the funding of Epstein's sex trafficking operation" and accused four major banks of processing "billions in suspicious transactions that flowed through Epstein's accounts" that were not flagged to the Treasury until after the financier's suicide in August 2019. Newsweek contacted Senator Wyden and the DOJ for comment on Thursday via email and online inquiry form respectively outside of regular office hours. Why It Matters Earlier this month the DOJ and the FBI released a joint statement insisting Epstein "died by suicide" and had "no incriminating 'client list.'" The move sparked a furious reaction from a section of President Donald Trump's Make America Great Again (MAGA) base, which has long believed Epstein was murdered to cover up the participation of prominent figures in sexual abuse. Wyden's letter shows the Trump administration will continue to face intense pressure to further investigate the Epstein case, or release documents it has concerning this, despite its apparent efforts to close down the subject. What To Know Addressing Attorney General Bondi in his letter Wyden said he was "convinced that the DOG ignored evidence found in the U.S. Treasury Department's Epstein file," which he said "contains extensive details on the mountains of cash Epstein received from prominent business owners that Epstein used to finance his criminal network." In response to what he termed "the DOJ's lack of thoroughness" Wyden provided Bondi with "a road map with a list of 'follow the money' leads on Jeffrey Epstein." Wyden noted the Senate Finance Committee on February 14 2024 reviewed "thousands of page[s] of Treasury Department files documenting the flow of money in and out of Jeffrey Epstein's accounts" which he concluded "contains significant information on the sources of funding behind Epstein's sex trafficking activities." He said this included documents showing more than 4,725 wire transfers involving Epstein's accounts from 2003 to 2019 totaling $1.08 billion. Pam Bondi, U.S. Attorney General, during a press conference at Port Everglades on April 09, 2025 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida (left) and the 2019 mug shot of Jeffrey Epstein (right). Pam Bondi, U.S. Attorney General, during a press conference at Port Everglades on April 09, 2025 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida (left) and the 2019 mug shot of Jeffrey Epstein (right). Joe Raedle/Kypros/GETTY In his seven-point action plan Wyden said Bondi should "direct DOJ prosecutors and FBI agents to immediately investigate the evidence contained in the Treasury Department records on Epstein" including alleged payments of several hundred million dollars to Epstein from "ultra-wealthy Wall Street financiers." He also said the DOJ should subpoena internal records related by Epstein held by major Western banks. Another of Wyden's points urged the DOG to investigate payments of "hundreds of millions of dollars" via Russian banks that "were correlated to the movement of women or girls around the world." He also called on the department to subpoena documents from the U.S. Virgin Islands regarding a deal giving one of Epstein's associates immunity from prosecution in 2023. Wyden also said several major banks "likely broke the law" by only flagging suspect payments involving Epstein after he had been criminally charged, despite this being a requirement of federal anti-money laundering legislation. Finally Wyden urged the DOJ to "conduct depositions with bankers responsible for overseeing large accounts transacting with Jeffrey Epstein." On Wednesday The Wall Street Journal reported that in May Trump was informed that his name appeared "multiple times" in Epstein documents possessed by the DOJ by Bondi. White House communications director Steven Cheung described the report as "another fake news story." What People Are Saying In his letter Wyden said: "Epstein clearly had access to enormous financing to operate his sex trafficking network, and the details on how he got the cash to pay for it are sitting in a Treasury Department filing cabinet." In their joint statement earlier this month the FBI and DOJ said its "systematic review" of Epstein related files "revealed no incriminating 'client list.'" They added: "There was also no credible evidence found that Epstein blackmailed prominent individuals as part of his actions. We did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties." What Happens Next Trump is likely to face further pressure to release more documents related to the Epstein case from both congressional Democrats and a section of his own MAGA base. On Tuesday House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, adjourned the lower chamber till September in a move that blocks any imminent vote on releasing the Epstein files.


Fox News
25 minutes ago
- Fox News
Mamdani's ideas already backfired in another major US city
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Politico
34 minutes ago
- Politico
Pritzker's gerrymander jab draws fire
☀️☀️☀️Happy hot Thursday, Illinois. The Cubs will host the 2027 MLB All-Star Game at Wrigley Field, via Crain's. TOP TALKER MAP MOVES: Gov. JB Pritzker scolded Texas Republicans and President Donald Trump this week for their brazen attempts to redraw congressional maps in the Lone Star State with the goal of giving GOP candidates an even cushier ride to Washington. No cheating: That the president is 'encouraging Texas — and Texas being willing to do this — should be an indicator to the rest of us that if they're going to cheat, that that's not a proper way to act,' Pritzker said at an unrelated news conference. 'I think we ought to play by the rules. Everybody.' Illinois Republicans did a spit take. 'It's rich that the governor now claims to support playing by the rules — after he enthusiastically signed into law the most gerrymandered maps in the nation,' said Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie. 'Phony' and 'disingenuous' is how state Rep. Ryan Spain, the deputy minority leader, put it. The backstory: In 2021, when Democrats worried the House might slip from their grasp, Illinois Democrats approached redistricting with surgical precision — eliminating two Republican congressional seats and reinforcing their own fortress in D.C. How it changed: Illinois, which lost a seat due to population changes, went from having 13 Democrats and five Republicans in Congress to 14 Democrats and three Republicans. This week, Pritzker left open the possibility of more map tweaking. Asked if Illinois would try to 'counterbalance' what Texas might do, Pritzker said: 'We have to see what they decide to do about Texas.' We reached out to lawmakers on the redistricting committee to see if there's any appetite for another round of map-making. No one responded. And a spokesman for Senate President Don Harmon told Capitol News' Ben Szalinski, 'That's not something we're pursuing.' Redistricting 'overreach' can be a risk, says Ryan Tolley, executive director of CHANGE Illinois, which supports fair mapping. He pointed to how Illinois lawmakers also carved up state legislative districts in southern Illinois, with the goal of favoring Democratic incumbents LaToya Greenwood and Jay Hoffman. But the outcome backfired. Greenwood lost. 'Democrats run the risk of creating thin margin districts. The big question would be whether they could pick up a seat,' Tolley said. And if they don't, 'they could end up hurting more than helping.' That might not stop Democrats, however. One political strategist we talked to acknowledged, 'There's always more you can do,' a reminder that gerrymandering is a bipartisan blood sport that's never really over. RELATED Obama to headline fundraiser in response to GOP redistricting efforts, by POLITICO's Andrew Howard THE BUZZ REALITY BITES: Mayor Brandon Johnson's CFO says a property tax hike is 'likely' in the 2026 budget, via Bloomberg's Isabela Fleischmann and Romaine Bostick. 'It is likely that that will be part of the package,' Jill Jaworski said at Bloomberg's New Voices event in Chicago. 'We haven't rolled out the full package yet, but the package is going to include cuts [in expenditures], and it is going to include proposals for increasing our revenues.' Jaworski also talked at length about what the city is doing to attract new business, the city's tax burden — and areas of the city that work. Watch it here From the Tribune: Johnson's team emphasized the budget was not yet finalized and that the mayor 'is focused on identifying progressive revenue opportunities that ensure that the ultra-wealthy pay their fair share and that this budget is not balanced on the backs of working people,' report A.D. Quig and Jake Sheridan. RELATED Chicago Public Schools is grappling with a massive budget deficit: 'District officials say they expect to save about $165 million after laying off some central office staff and crossing guards this summer. But leaders are still searching for $569 million in either savings or revenue,' by WBEZ's Sarah Karp. If you are LaToya Greenwood, Playbook would like to hear from you! Email: skapos@ WHERE'S JB At the State of Illinois Building at 1:30 p.m. to celebrate the building being renamed the Jesse White State of Illinois Building At 2300 South State Street at 1:15 p.m. for a ribbon-cutting at 23rd Place at Southbridge Where's Toni At the Cook County Building at 9 a.m. to preside over a County Commission meeting — At the Cook County Building at 12:45 p.m. to spotlight a youth and the arts movement — At the State of Illinois Building at 1:30 p.m. for its renaming Have a tip, suggestion, birthday, new job or a (gasp!) complaint? Email skapos@ MORNING MONEY: CAPITAL RISK — POLITICO's flagship financial newsletter has a new Friday edition built for the economic era we're living in: one shaped by political volatility, disruption and a wave of policy decisions with sector-wide consequences. Each week, Morning Money: Capital Risk brings sharp reporting and analysis on how political risk is moving markets and how investors are adapting. Want to know how health care regulation, tariffs, or court rulings could ripple through the economy? Start here. BUSINESS OF POLITICS — MAKING IT OFFICIAL: State Rep. Margaret Croke is officially launching her campaign for state comptroller today, promoting a 'Rule of 3' video, with a hat tip to juggling her three children. Croke has served nearly five years in the Illinois General Assembly and before that worked in the governor's office. 'Our state comptroller can't control what happens in Washington, but they can ensure Illinois' finances are managed with efficiency, transparency and oversight,' she said in a statement announcing her campaign. 'With the chaos coming out of the Trump administration, strong leadership at the state level is more important than ever before.' — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: In IL-07, Richard Boykin, the former county commissioner, will kick off his campaign for Congress with businessman Willie Wilson at his side. Details here — FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: George Alpogianis is launching his campaign for 9th District Democratic State Central committeeman, and he's being endorsed by Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, state Sen. Laura Murphy, state Rep. Kevin Olickal and Niles Township Supervisor Bonnie Kahn Ognisanti, according to his team. — Senate race: Robin Kelly pledges to confirm only pro-LGBTQ+ judges in U.S. Senate bid, by Jake Wittich in the Windy City Times — In IL-09: Daniel Biss has been endorsed by the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 742, representing Evanston's fire and EMS personnel. It's the first labor endorsement in the race. Biss, the mayor of Evanston, is running for the open seat now held by Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, who's retiring after 2026. — Robert Carroll is seeking the Democratic nomination for DuPage County sheriff, where he was a top aide. 'I'm running because every resident deserves to feel safe, respected and heard — no matter where they live, what they look like, or where they come from.' he said in launching his campaign. More from the Daily Herald's Susan Sarkauskas. ILLINOIS' POPE — Legislation aims to protect pope's U.S. citizenship: 'The measure would exempt popes with U.S. citizenship from federal tax obligations, and prevent their citizenship from being revoked during their tenure as supreme pontiff,' by The Pillar's Jack Figge. CHICAGO — Startup joins Chicago's growing quantum campus, plans to build its own computer: 'Infleqtion, a startup with roots in Boulder, Colo., and Chicago, says it will build a commercial quantum computer at the Illinois Quantum & Microelectronics Park planned for the former U.S. Steel mill on the South Side,' by Crain's John Pletz. — City investing $40M to improve conditions at 7 homeless shelters, by Block Club's Michael Liptrot — Feds want 15 months for ex-City Club President Jay Doherty in ComEd Madigan plot, by the Sun-Times' Jon Seidel — SCOOP: Ex-Loretto leader and pal accused of stealing millions are living large in Dubai, by Block Club's Kelly Bauer — University of Chicago considers restructuring arts and humanities division to cut costs, by the Tribune's Kate Armanini COOK COUNTY AND COLLARS — Harvey, Ill., to lay off about 10 percent of its city workforce: 'After every effort to avoid cuts — including eliminating discretionary spending, enforcing tax compliance and making painful operational adjustments — we have no choice,' said Harvey Mayor Christopher Clark, via CBS 2's Adam Harrington and John Odenthal. — Crystal Lake Park District holds another contentious meeting as board cleared of violating Open Meeting Act: 'Yelling, booing mark session,' by the Northwest Herald's Michelle Meyer. — Ex-Worth Township supervisor gets probation in Oak Lawn red-light camera bribery case, by the Tribune's Jason Meisner SPOTTED — Happy anniversary! New Chicago Consulting, headed by managing partners Tom Bowen, Christina Nowinski Wurst and Tracy Mayfield celebrated their 11 years in business earlier this week with a gathering of friends and clients. In the room: Former Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Ald. Jason Ervin, city Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin, former Deputy Gov. Jesse Ruiz, County Commissioner Scott Britton and former Congresswoman and Mercury Public Affairs partner Cheri Bustos. Reader Digest We asked about crazy things you've seen on the El. Bob Kieckhefer: 'Ronnie Woo Woo on the Red Line headed to Wrigley.' Kevin Lampe: 'The excitement of arriving at Comiskey Park (Yes, that is still the name to me.) or Wrigley Field and the emotional discharge depending on the outcome of the game at departure.' Ed Mazur: 'Red Line: a man with a squawking chicken perched on his head. Honestly.' Tara Price: 'One time my law school roommate and I saw the bare behind of a gentleman through his ripped jeans as he stood up, leaned against the railing of the seats directly in front of us. Some things you wish you could unsee.' Josh Witkowski: 'I've seen guys openly selling weed while moving car to car.' NEXT QUESTION: What policy or law noticeably improved your community? KEEPING UP WITH THE DELEGATION — Congressman Mike Quigley (IL-05), a member of the House Intelligence Committee, criticized Donald Trump's social media attacks on President Barack Obama, saying Trump's use of an AI-generated video of Obama was 'deeply unsettling,' according to a statement. Earlier this week, Trump accused Obama of 'treason' over an investigation into Russian influence in the 2016 election. THE NATIONAL TAKE — Appeals court finds Trump's effort to end birthright citizenship unconstitutional, by The Associated Press. The move drew praise from Illinois Atty. Gen. Kwame Raoul. 'The universal injunction was both necessary and appropriate. As a birthright citizen, I will not stop fighting to protect the constitutionally protected right to citizenship that is unquestionably guaranteed to all children born in this country to parents who are not yet naturalized citizens.' — 'POTUS is clearly furious': White House is frustrated by all-consuming Epstein coverage, by POLITICO's Rachael Bade — Trump's 'massive' deal with Japan is giving US automakers heartburn, by POLITICO's Daniel Desrochers and Chris Marquette — Supreme Court green-lights Trump's firing of consumer product safety regulators, by POLITICO's Josh Gerstein TRANSITIONS — Adrienne White-Faines has been named president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Illinois. She starts in September. Most recently White-Faines was chief strategy officer for the American College of Physicians. The Tribune's Lisa Schencker has more. — Kara Spak is now media senior director at the 120/80 Group, a digital health marketing firm. She was a Northwestern hospital media relations manager and earlier a Sun-Times reporter. EVENTS — Saturday: State Rep. Adam Niemerg's free fishing derby for kids ages 4 to 15 will be held at Sam Parr. Details here TRIVIA WEDNESDAY's ANSWER: Congrats to Mary Kay Minaghan for correctly answering that a traditional 'Chicago handshake' is a shot-and-a-beer combo of Heileman's Old Style and Malört. TODAY's QUESTION: What Chicago location was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2006? Email your answer to: skapos@ HAPPY BIRTHDAY State Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid, former Chicago City Treasurer Kurt Summers, Lockport Township Supervisor Alex Zapién, entrepreneur Michael Ferro, Holtz Industries President James Straus, WGN Radio's Anna Davlantes and Global Strategy Group's Nicole Jaconetty -30-