Omar calls GOP ‘pedophile protection party' for dodging Epstein votes
Republican leaders this week scrapped their legislative plans and headed early into a long summer recess — all to avoid votes on the Epstein saga. However, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has insisted the move was not intended to shield Republicans from tough Epstein votes — or protect Trump from potentially embarrassing disclosures — but to end the Democrats' 'political games.'
'The pedophile protection party is shutting down Congress just to avoid voting on the release of the Epstein files,' Omar wrote in a post on X in response to the move.
Last week, GOP lawmakers killed a vote backed by Democrats attempting to force the release of Epstein's files. It failed 211-210 along party lines.
'The American people are best served by putting an end to Democrats' side shows. That's what we're doing by not allowing the Rules Committee to continue with that nonsense this week,' Johnson said during a Tuesday press conference.
'We're done being lectured on transparency,' he said.
However, some Republicans have refused to completely abandon the public's desire for more information related to Epstein's international illegal dealings.
The House Oversight and Government Reform subcommittee voted Tuesday to subpoena Ghislaine Maxwell, longtime associate to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, to appear for a deposition.
Some are hoping the measure will unveil new details about the list of people involved with the human trafficking ring.
'This is progress. We will not stop fighting until the Epstein Files are released. Trump and Bondi must stop blocking the American people from the truth,' House Oversight Democrats wrote on the social platform X after the vote.
On Tuesday, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche also said in a statement that he has communicated with Maxwell's counsel 'to determine whether she would be willing to speak with prosecutors from the Department.'
'I anticipate meeting with Ms. Maxwell in the coming days,' Blanche said. 'Until now, no administration on behalf of the Department had inquired about her willingness to meet with the government. That changes now.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
19 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Former congressman George Santos begins seven-year prison sentence
Disgraced former congressman George Santos has reported to prison to begin a more than seven-year sentence for wire fraud, identity theft and other charges. The federal Bureau of Prisons confirmed to the BBC on Friday that Santos was in custody at the Federal Correctional Institution in Fairton, New Jersey. The 37-year-old pleaded guilty to federal charges in New York court last year. It marked the downfall of the novice New York politician, who was expelled from Congress after the fraud case alleged that he lied about his background and misused campaign funds to finance a luxury lifestyle. In a post on X before he reported to prison, Santos said his "rhinestones are packed". "I may be leaving the stage (for now), but trust me legends never truly exit," he wrote. The federal government alleged Santos laundered campaign funds to pay for his personal expenses, illegally claimed unemployment benefits while he was employed and lied to the Federal Election Commission (FEC). Prosecutors said he charged more than $44,000 (£32,000) to his campaign over a period of months using credit cards belonging to contributors who were unaware they were being defrauded. In court last year, Santos admitted to theft and applying for unemployment benefits that he was not entitled to receive. He was also ordered to pay at least $374,000 in restitution. After his sentencing in April, Santos attempted to raise money on Cameo, a platform where people can purchase personalised videos from celebrities. Santos gained attention when he defeated a Democratic incumbent in 2022, flipping a district that encompasses parts of New York's Long Island and Queens to the Republicans. The controversy began when the New York Times published a story that year revealing Santos - who had no background in politics - had lied about his CV, including having a university degree and working for Citigroup and Goldman Sachs. It was not long before a series of new lies came to light, including that he falsely claimed his mother survived the 11 September terrorist attacks. Shortly after, local and federal officials launched investigations into the congressman. Santos was eventually charged with 23 federal felony crimes and in 2023 he became the first member of Congress to be expelled in more than 20 years, and only the sixth in history. Ex-congressman George Santos sentenced to seven years in prison George Santos expelled from Congress in historic vote
New York Post
21 minutes ago
- New York Post
When will critics admit Trump's trade strategy is working?
Nearly four months after President Trump's 'Liberation Day' announcement of higher reciprocal tariff rates on major U.S. trading partners, the dust has settled and the strategy is working. Over the last few weeks, countries have, one by one, been offering to significantly lower tariffs and non-tariff trade barriers on US goods entering their markets, while pledging significant purchases from and productive investments in the United States. So far, these nations have included the United Kingdom, Vietnam, Indonesia, Japan and the Philippines, with more deals anticipated in the coming days. In each case, these countries have accepted a higher base tariff rate from the United States while lowering their rates to zero or near-zero. These higher US rates will help rebalance the enormous deficits the United States runs with nearly all its major trade partners. For decades, US leaders turned a blind eye to rampant abuses by our trade partners and ever-widening trade deficits that have hollowed out American industry, destroyed millions of jobs and undermined our long-term economic stability. President Trump has done more than anyone thought possible to address these imbalances without major disruption, price increases or job losses. The leverage offered by tariffs has been key in achieving these agreements. Relying on the old system, governed by a slow, outdated and prejudicial World Trade Organization, to address trade abuses and imbalances was completely ineffective. The agreements establishing that organization hadn't been updated since 1994, and litigation often dragged out for several years — and by then, the damage was done. Unilateral action was essential to resolve US trade imbalances, protect our producers and workers, and make American businesses competitive in world markets again. The new trade paradigm introduced by the Trump administration is already changing market incentives worldwide. In a recent speech, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer noted that American and foreign companies have pledged over $5.5 trillion in investments to expand production in the United States. These investments will create untold numbers of jobs as companies build new production facilities and fill them with American workers. Keep up with today's most important news Stay up on the very latest with Evening Update. Thanks for signing up! Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Never miss a story. Check out more newsletters Furthermore, the deals struck by the Trump administration offer a path forward for addressing the main perpetrator of world trade imbalances: China. While the United States put higher tariff rates on China in 2018, China has been able to avoid those tariffs by redirecting supply chains through third countries. This made it imperative to widen the scope of American tariffs, to ensure goods from non-market economies like China do not make it into our market at favorable rates through friendlier trade partners like the Philippines and Mexico. Language in the initial trade deal frameworks indicates our trade partners will now work with us to deter China's trade abuses. Lastly, Trump's tariffs will ensure that the United States maintains and strengthens its industrial base. Tariffs aimed at key strategic sectors like steel and aluminum, automobiles, rare earths, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals and drones will ensure our competitors that heavily subsidize such sectors will not undermine US industries, especially those essential to the future of our economic and national security. When Trump announced new reciprocal tariff rates on our trading partners in April, economists, commentators and free traders of all stripes were quick to predict the worst. But even with the prospect of tariffs increasing further in the coming weeks, market and consumer sentiment remains optimistic, with even former naysayers hedging on their earlier dire predictions. What is clear now is that the United States has a path to stabilize its trade balance, strengthen economic opportunities for the middle class, and bolster our economic security — without catastrophic consequences. Mark DiPlacido is a policy advisor at American Compass.
New York Post
21 minutes ago
- New York Post
Sen. Rick Scott to fly banner urging New Yorkers who ‘hate socialism' to move to Florida
Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) is taking aim at socialist Big Apple mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani – with aerial ads urging fed-up New Yorkers to flee to Florida. 'Hate Socialism? Us too! Move 2 FL,' read the banners the Sunshine State senator will fly over New York beaches this weekend. In a Florida flex, the ad continues: 'WE HAVE BETTER BEACHES.' 3 The aerial ads will be flown over New York beaches this weekend. miami2you – In a statement, Scott described the ad campaign as a 'friendly reminder' to New Yorkers that 'in addition to our world class beaches, Florida is the state where you can escape socialism.' The senator also slammed the cost of living in the Big Apple, antisemitism on college campuses and the rise of Mamdani. 'New York City once represented the American Dream – a city where anything was possible. Today, it has now become the city where only billionaires can prosper, Jewish students are attacked on campus, capitalism is shunned and radical socialists like Zohran Mamdani are celebrated,' Scott said. 'New York City has benefitted from the best system in the world – Capitalism – yet it is now being villainized by the Democrats all across this country.' 'Democrats are working around the clock to discredit President Trump and tear down our country and rebuild it in their woke, radical image through socialist policies.' Scott decried socialism as 'an old, barbaric, discredited idea that's failed every time it's been tried' and noted that Florida has become a place of refuge for families that have fled 'brutal regimes' in Cuba and Venezuela. 3 The ads target New Yorkers disillusioned with the rise of Mamdani. Andrew Schwartz / 3 Scott noted that many families from Cuba and Venezuela have sought refuge from socialism in Florida. Getty Images 'As Governor and now US Senator, I have constantly worked to make sure every family can get a great job, their kids can get a world class education and they can live in safe communities,' he added. 'That is the American Dream and it is deeply unfortunate that it is completely slipping away in New York.' 'New York families deserve better.'
