logo
GOP Lawmaker Insists Americans Have 'Been Over' the Epstein Case as Calls to Release Files Continue: 'We Need to Move On'

GOP Lawmaker Insists Americans Have 'Been Over' the Epstein Case as Calls to Release Files Continue: 'We Need to Move On'

A Republican lawmaker insisted that Americans have "been over" the Jeffrey Epstein case as backlash against the Trump administration for not releasing the files continues.
Florida Rep. Carlos Giménez called for the Trump administration to release the Epstein files so that they could "move on" in an interview with CNN Thursday.
"This is much more important to a few people than it is to the vast majority of Americans. Americans, I think, are over the Epstein case. They have been over it for a long time. It keeps being brought up and that's why I think — hey man, just release the things and this thing will go away," he said.
The representative went on to say that the average American is more worried about "kitchen table issues" like the cost of living.
"We got a lot more important things to do for the American people than what happened eight, 10, 20 years ago. It's already been resolved in court. The man was found guilty. He did some heinous things to young girls and he paid the ultimate price with his own suicide. We need to move on," Giménez continued.
Giménez's statements come as his own party pushes for Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell to testify before lawmakers and DOJ and FBI officials in an attempt to get more clarity about the case.
Calls for the Trump administration to release the files have intensified over the last few weeks following a report from the Department of Justice and the FBI declaring that Epstein killed himself and had no client list. Supporters of President Donald Trump and even MAGA influencers have expressed their disappointment in the report, demanding the full release of the files.
Since the DOJ and FBI's memo, a report by the Wall Street Journal alleged that Attorney General Pam Bondi warned Trump that his name was in the Epstein files.
Although that alone does not mean he may have committed a crime, this report came after the same publication issued a different report alleging Trump sent Epstein a drawing of a naked woman in a birthday message. Trump and the White House have denied both of these reports, and the president filed a lawsuit against the Journal following the first article.
Democrats have since amped up calls for Bondi as well as FBI Director Kash Patel to testify before lawmakers about the results of their report and for more transparency on the files.
Originally published on Latin Times
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Mexican town welcomes US emigres – DW – 07/27/2025
Mexican town welcomes US emigres – DW – 07/27/2025

DW

time6 hours ago

  • DW

Mexican town welcomes US emigres – DW – 07/27/2025

More and more US citizens are deciding to leave their country because of growing hostilities against migrants and other social groups. Many are moving to Mexico. DW met with some of them in the city of San Miguel de Allende. An increasing number of Americans are choosing to leave the United States due to what they perceive as a growing atmosphere of hostility, particularly toward marginalized groups. Traditionally, Mexico has been a popular destination for retirees and digital nomads from the US, but now it's also attracting individuals who feel threatened because of their political beliefs, sexual orientation or human rights work. The American expatriate community in Mexico has become increasingly vocal, organizing protests and speaking out against US policies, especially those targeting migrants. Activists like Edgar Lopez from Democrats Abroad Mexico and American expat Veronica Gonzalez have condemned the racial motivations behind immigration enforcement and the criminalization of protest and Latino identity. For many, Mexico represents not just a geographical escape, but a refuge from what they see as an increasingly intolerant and repressive environment in the United States.

Battling Tariffs Is No Trivial Pursuit For US Games Retailer
Battling Tariffs Is No Trivial Pursuit For US Games Retailer

Int'l Business Times

time11 hours ago

  • Int'l Business Times

Battling Tariffs Is No Trivial Pursuit For US Games Retailer

At a strip mall in Maryland, a miniature landscape extends across a table between Dash Krempel and his friend as a war game unfolds. But their hobby is becoming more expensive as US tariffs take a toll. Krempel, 29, told AFP the cost of models for tabletop games have surged from inflation, and continued rising since US President Donald Trump imposed sweeping tariffs on trading partners this year. UK-made figurines that cost $60 around three years ago now go for $94.50, he said. "Prices have gotten bigger," he added. "It's a very expensive hobby to begin with, so it's maybe pricing a lot of people out." Instead of buying more products, he now tries to support retailer Game Kastle College Park by renting tables to play in-store. For the shop's owner, Boyd Stephenson, stocking new board games, paints and hobby supplies has only become more challenging. To avoid the harshest of Trump's tariffs, some suppliers had to delay shipments or postpone new releases. As they raised their suggested retail prices, so has Stephenson at Game Kastle. About a fifth of his store's products have seen cost hikes, with increases ranging from 5 percent to 20 percent. "If we see higher prices or higher tariffs, I'm going to see higher wholesale prices, and then I have to raise my prices accordingly," he said. Asked what percentage of his store relies on imports, Stephenson replied: "Almost all of it." Stephenson estimates some 7,000 board games were released last year from 5,000 different companies. "You're really looking at 5,000 different approaches (to tariffs)," he said. "Some producers are saying, 'We're going to eat the cost.' Some producers are saying, 'We're passing the cost through all the way.' And other producers are doing some sort of mix of that." Like other US retailers, Stephenson could face more cost pressures come August 1, when steeper tariffs are set to hit dozens of economies like the European Union and India. The elevated rates mark an increase from the 10 percent levy Trump imposed on goods from most economies in April. While China -- a crucial manufacturing hub for games -- is temporarily spared, Trump has separately imposed fresh 30 percent tariffs on products from the world's second biggest economy this year. US tariffs on Chinese products could return to higher levels from August 12 if officials fail to extend their truce. Yet, there is no quick fix to return manufacturing to the United States. "US manufacturers just don't have the capacity to do that anymore," said Stephenson, showing an intricate board game figurine. "Really, the people that are good at that, that's China," he said. "The best modeling paints come from Spain." "So if you see tariffs get put up on the EU, then all of a sudden I'm going to have to pay higher prices on modeling paint when I bring it into the country," he added. Trump has threatened the bloc with a 30 percent tariff. Stephenson tries to absorb some cost hikes, but said: "I have to be able to pay the staff, pay the electric company, pay the landlord." Trump's on-again, off-again approach to duties has also made suppliers' price changes more unpredictable. "What is always universally bad for business is uncertainty," Stephenson said. He usually stocks up on inventory ahead of the year-end holiday season, but expects to be more strategic with purchases this year to avoid unwelcome surprises. Many companies are delaying merchandise imports as they lack certainty, said Jonathan Gold, vice president of supply chain and customs policy at the National Retail Federation. "When the product is brought into the country and entered into commerce, you have 15 days to pay your tariff bill," he said. This causes problems when tariff rates change and businesses lack funds to pay for orders. Some businesses, and industry group the Game Manufacturers Association, have mounted legal challenges against Trump's blanket tariffs hitting various countries, noting nearly 80 percent of tabletop games sold in the US are made abroad. But such complaints are an uphill battle. "The damage, especially for small retailers, has been significant," Gold said. A US games retailer has been forced to hike costs as some suppliers raised their wholesale prices due to President Donald Trump's tariffs AFP Boyd Stephenson, owner of Game Kastle College Park, says uncertainty is universally bad for business AFP US tariffs on China-made products could bounce to higher levels from August 12 if officials fail to extend a current truce AFP

Trump, EU Chief Seek Deal In Transatlantic Tariffs Standoff
Trump, EU Chief Seek Deal In Transatlantic Tariffs Standoff

Int'l Business Times

time13 hours ago

  • Int'l Business Times

Trump, EU Chief Seek Deal In Transatlantic Tariffs Standoff

President Donald Trump and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen meet Sunday in Scotland in a decisive push to resolve a months-long transatlantic trade standoff -- with the US leader putting the chances of a deal at one in two. The clock is ticking with Trump vowing to hit dozens of countries with punitive tariffs unless they hammer out a pact with Washington by August 1 -- with the EU facing an across-the-board levy of 30 percent. Von der Leyen's European Commission, negotiating on behalf of the EU's 27 countries, has been pushing hard for a deal to salvage a trading relationship worth an annual 1.6 trillion euros ($1.9 trillion) in goods and services. Brussels has coordinated closely with European capitals, whose diplomats are expected to meet swiftly to give their blessing to any deal struck at leader level -- if indeed Trump and von der Leyen see eye to eye. Sunday's sit-down will take place at 4:30 pm local time (1530 GMT) in Turnberry, on Scotland's southwestern coast -- where Trump owns a luxury golf resort. The 79-year-old said on arrival Friday he hoped to strike "the biggest deal of them all" with the EU. Referring to von der Leyen simply as "Ursula", Trump praised her as "a highly respected woman" -- a far cry from his erstwhile hostility in accusing the EU of existing to "screw" the United States. "I think we have a good 50-50 chance" of a deal, said the president -- citing sticking points on "maybe 20 different things". The European Commission said Thursday it believed a deal was "in reach". According to European diplomats, the agreement on the table involves a baseline 15-percent levy on EU exports to the United States -- the same level secured by Japan -- with carve-outs for critical sectors including aircraft, lumber and spirits excluding wine. The EU would also commit to ramp up purchases of US liquefied natural gas, as one of a series of investment pledges. The European side was also hoping for a compromise on steel that could allow a certain quota to enter the United States, with amounts beyond that taxed at 50 percent. Hit by multiple waves of tariffs since Trump reclaimed the White House, the EU is currently subject to a 25-percent levy on cars, 50 percent on steel and aluminium, and an across-the-board tariff of 10 percent, which Washington threatens to hike to 30 percent in a no-deal scenario. The EU has focused on getting a deal with Washington to avoid sweeping tariffs from further harming its sluggish economy, with retaliation held out as a last resort. Should talks fail, EU states have greenlit counter tariffs on $109 billion (93 billion euros) of US goods including aircraft and cars -- to take effect in stages from August 7 -- and Brussels is also drawing up a list of US services to potentially target. Beyond that, countries like France say Brussels should not be afraid to deploy a so-called trade "bazooka" to restrict access to its market and public contracts -- but that would mark a major escalation with Washington. Trump has embarked since returning to power on a campaign to reshape US trade with the world. But polls at home suggest the American public is unconvinced by his strategy, with a recent Gallup survey showing his approval rating at 37 percent -- down 10 points from January. Having promised "90 deals in 90 days," Trump's administration has so far unveiled five, including with Britain, Japan and the Philippines. In addition to bolstering his dealmaker credentials, a headline agreement with the EU could bring a welcome distraction from the scandal around Jeffrey Epstein, the wealthy financier accused of sex trafficking who died in prison in 2019 before facing trial. In his heyday, Epstein was friends with Trump and others in the New York jet-set, but the president is now facing backlash from his own MAGA supporters demanding access to the case files. Von der Leyen hopes to minimise the scale of Trump's threatened further tariffs on EU good exports, and perhaps win carve outs for certain industries AFP

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store