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riversedge

(78,932 posts)
Thu Nov 20, 2025, 07:06 AM Thursday

🚨BREAKING: Mike Johnson says releasing the Epstein Files without redactions could pose

We knew this was coming---Speaker Johnson just adds "National Security risk" to anything and he thinks it is valid!!




🚨BREAKING: Mike Johnson says releasing the Epstein Files without redactions could pose national security risks.


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🚨BREAKING: Mike Johnson says releasing the Epstein Files without redactions could pose (Original Post) riversedge Thursday OP
Shocking SheltieLover Thursday #1
"The Mouse That Roared"......while hiding in the oasis Thursday #2
The proper response? mwmisses4289 Thursday #3
This is a losing battle for him. Baitball Blogger Thursday #4
"National security risks"? So, it's an even bigger scandal than was previously thought? The plot thickens... sop Thursday #5
Seems he is obliquely admitting a lot of powerful people are open to blackmail by foreign powers Attilatheblond Thursday #15
Foreign Powers, HELL popsdenver Thursday #20
Trump saw the financial benefits of having blackmail material to hold over the richest, and he took over Epstein's gig. Attilatheblond Thursday #28
It was never a sex scandal. We need to challenge the media to pursue the bigger story. Bluetus Thursday #50
Bingo!!! niyad Thursday #54
So... they aren't a hoax C_U_L8R Thursday #6
Wait a minute.... democrank Thursday #7
Let's all speculate what that could mean superpatriotman Thursday #8
What kind of security is it if rich men can rape kids with impunity? Prairie Gates Thursday #9
Or the national or global economic security issues of rich and powerful men raping girls which were .. Botany Thursday #16
Putin's kompromat on Trump is something else Prairie Gates Thursday #32
Snuff said. Captain Zero Thursday #34
I saw what you did there... evolves Thursday #48
Yikes. Had not thought of that one. niyad Thursday #56
The important part of the Steele Dossier wasn't the pee pee tapes but that Trump was in major debt to .. Botany Thursday #37
Trump is already a National Security risk. aeromanKC Thursday #10
Trump comes from a long line popsdenver Thursday #22
Should be interesting to see if the Deplorable base even cares. NoMoreRepugs Thursday #11
Is he? Jughead Thursday #12
Geez...stealing top secret documents and storing them next to a toilet wasn't a security risk... llmart Thursday #13
Isn't that what Nixon said about the White House tapes about Watergate? Or what Bill Barr said about the Botany Thursday #14
Well stated! Especially that last sentence Attilatheblond Thursday #17
As per National Security you can count on both Russia and Israel having the Epstein files. Botany Thursday #40
Anyone see a picture of the Mueller report popsdenver Thursday #18
So...Patel, Bondi, and Slobfather lied purr-rat beauty Thursday #19
So, clearly... skypilot Thursday #21
If exposing the pedophiles in the system will break the system Orrex Thursday #23
THIS evolves Thursday #47
+1 leftstreet Thursday #57
Mike, YOU and our DICTATOR ARE a national security risk! Fla Dem Thursday #24
Sounds like bullshit right from trmp. spanone Thursday #25
Of course................ Lovie777 Thursday #26
Wouldn't it be amazing if he's mentioned in them? LOL nt Javaman Thursday #27
He'll hide guilty people's names just to be super secure IronLionZion Thursday #29
Of course he does. Joinfortmill Thursday #30
;-{) Goonch Thursday #31
No Problem! 3825-87867 Thursday #33
Hey Johnson get used to losing.. You're done in 2026. bronxiteforever Thursday #35
they already had a team of over 1,000 barbtries Thursday #36
Epstein and Trump, the Power Couple so powerful their crimes are to be classified. Deep State, indeed! RedWhiteBlueIsRacist Thursday #38
Republicans and Johnson have spent months claiming the reason they opposed the legislation is that it Wiz Imp Thursday #39
Having Mike Johnson as speaker is a National Security Risk. milestogo Thursday #41
That isn't what the law said angrychair Thursday #42
He's trying to cover the lies under the flag and fear. Ping Tung Thursday #43
What really poses national security risks is that there has been no obituary for Trump. Autumn Thursday #44
Donald Trump is already a national security risk Martin Eden Thursday #45
Oh, so they care about evolves Thursday #46
GTFO now Bondi! Last chance to save your soul Ponietz Thursday #49
Mr Pedophile Protector is lying for Jesus again! travelingthrulife Thursday #51
The definition of national security should be clearly stated in a law passed by Congress Walleye Thursday #52
The enabling of billionaires and this administration by the GoP is a national security risk neohippie Thursday #53
Weaseldick Johnson... GiqueCee Thursday #55
They've framed the bill so that they can withhold whatever they see fit iemanja Thursday #58
Wouldn't it be something if we found out Eps was trafficking little boys to people like Mi-Little-Jo? Clouds Passing Thursday #59
Trump's lap dog, the squeaker of the house, runs more interference on Justice Fullduplexxx Thursday #60

Baitball Blogger

(51,520 posts)
4. This is a losing battle for him.
Thu Nov 20, 2025, 07:41 AM
Thursday

There are people who already know the names. So when he redacts the names, people will know who he's trying to protect.

Frankly, it's a trap that Mike Johnson is going to walk into, and I hope he's sweating because he knows all he is going to succeed in doing is give Trump a few more days of cover.

sop

(16,987 posts)
5. "National security risks"? So, it's an even bigger scandal than was previously thought? The plot thickens...
Thu Nov 20, 2025, 07:52 AM
Thursday

Attilatheblond

(7,872 posts)
15. Seems he is obliquely admitting a lot of powerful people are open to blackmail by foreign powers
Thu Nov 20, 2025, 08:38 AM
Thursday

What the little short stack of shit doesn't get is that a lot (if not most) of us already figured that part out. He just wants the continued protection (for what sins, Mike?) from those powerful people.

"National Security!" is what they call protecting rich, entitled, sexist, racist, obnoxious men with obscene power.

popsdenver

(1,110 posts)
20. Foreign Powers, HELL
Thu Nov 20, 2025, 08:48 AM
Thursday

They are all open to blackmail, and have been, by Trump and Putin.

Anyone think that Trump would pass up the most incredible grift ever, and not use the list to have something on the Uber Wealthy Billionaires?
He has been limited to mere millions, this one would get him BILLIONS from each and every person on the list......

Attilatheblond

(7,872 posts)
28. Trump saw the financial benefits of having blackmail material to hold over the richest, and he took over Epstein's gig.
Thu Nov 20, 2025, 09:07 AM
Thursday

Sorta makes the weird way Epstein 'suicided' a lot more interesting, doesn't it?

Bluetus

(1,988 posts)
50. It was never a sex scandal. We need to challenge the media to pursue the bigger story.
Thu Nov 20, 2025, 09:55 AM
Thursday

The sex was only the bait. This was a major kompromat/extortion operation operating on a global scale over decades, and it ran parallel to Trump's money laundering operation. Ultimately, it had very little to do with the sex. That is just how the targets were compromised.

C_U_L8R

(48,604 posts)
6. So... they aren't a hoax
Thu Nov 20, 2025, 07:59 AM
Thursday

And it’s probably much worse than anyone can imagine.
Good to know.

democrank

(11,993 posts)
7. Wait a minute....
Thu Nov 20, 2025, 08:02 AM
Thursday

I thought this was all a “Democrat” hoax. Mike must have gotten a specially-worded call from Big Daddy.

superpatriotman

(6,794 posts)
8. Let's all speculate what that could mean
Thu Nov 20, 2025, 08:03 AM
Thursday

Or let’s just release the files and let adults sort them out.

Prairie Gates

(6,900 posts)
9. What kind of security is it if rich men can rape kids with impunity?
Thu Nov 20, 2025, 08:05 AM
Thursday

Who is secure in that situation?

Botany

(75,967 posts)
16. Or the national or global economic security issues of rich and powerful men raping girls which were ..
Thu Nov 20, 2025, 08:40 AM
Thursday

… caught on video and the rapist is then open to blackmail? Such as Putin setting up Trump with
pissing hookers and then getting kompromat on him in 2013?

Prairie Gates

(6,900 posts)
32. Putin's kompromat on Trump is something else
Thu Nov 20, 2025, 09:14 AM
Thursday


The pee tape was always a yellow herring...

The actual thing is far more serious than that...

Botany

(75,967 posts)
37. The important part of the Steele Dossier wasn't the pee pee tapes but that Trump was in major debt to ..
Thu Nov 20, 2025, 09:22 AM
Thursday

…. Russia, Russian Mobsters & Oligarchs, China, and Saudi Arabia. Trump’s debt to foreign powers
was proven by the $10 million in cash that he took from Egypt in 2017. So far no part of the Steele
Dossier has been disproven.

popsdenver

(1,110 posts)
22. Trump comes from a long line
Thu Nov 20, 2025, 08:51 AM
Thursday

of National security risks, at the top level........HWBush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, Reagan, etc

llmart

(17,152 posts)
13. Geez...stealing top secret documents and storing them next to a toilet wasn't a security risk...
Thu Nov 20, 2025, 08:31 AM
Thursday

but this is??? Oh, babyface, your base may be that stupid but I'm pretty sure most people can see through your shenanigans.

Botany

(75,967 posts)
14. Isn't that what Nixon said about the White House tapes about Watergate? Or what Bill Barr said about the
Thu Nov 20, 2025, 08:34 AM
Thursday

…. the Mueller Report? Or what Bill Barr said about Iran Contra? Or about the Saudis involvement in
9-11? Or about Nixon rat fucking a peace deal LBJ already had done with Vietnam? What about
releasing Mike Johnson’s Grindr texts too?

Attilatheblond

(7,872 posts)
17. Well stated! Especially that last sentence
Thu Nov 20, 2025, 08:42 AM
Thursday

His flop sweat seems to be triggered by something very personal to him at this point.

Botany

(75,967 posts)
40. As per National Security you can count on both Russia and Israel having the Epstein files.
Thu Nov 20, 2025, 09:34 AM
Thursday

Blackmail and extortion were Jeffery’s game.

popsdenver

(1,110 posts)
18. Anyone see a picture of the Mueller report
Thu Nov 20, 2025, 08:44 AM
Thursday

with almost every line was redacted with black ink??????????????

And, I can't remember anyone, including the Main Stream Media or Dems making a big deal out of it.........

I remember, thinking at the time, that Mueller probably felt that if the report were released, without redactions, that it would sign, seal and deliver the end of the Republican Party.........seriously folks.

purr-rat beauty

(868 posts)
19. So...Patel, Bondi, and Slobfather lied
Thu Nov 20, 2025, 08:46 AM
Thursday

It is NOT A HOAX
It has an explosive LIST

I think they should be investigated and face questions to why they lied to the American public.

Orrex

(66,445 posts)
23. If exposing the pedophiles in the system will break the system
Thu Nov 20, 2025, 08:52 AM
Thursday

Then the system is broken already.

3825-87867

(1,741 posts)
33. No Problem!
Thu Nov 20, 2025, 09:16 AM
Thursday

Just put them in trump's Mar-a-lago Bathroom!

Nobody can get at them there, right?

RedWhiteBlueIsRacist

(1,561 posts)
38. Epstein and Trump, the Power Couple so powerful their crimes are to be classified. Deep State, indeed!
Thu Nov 20, 2025, 09:27 AM
Thursday

Wiz Imp

(8,326 posts)
39. Republicans and Johnson have spent months claiming the reason they opposed the legislation is that it
Thu Nov 20, 2025, 09:33 AM
Thursday

didn't protect the victims. Even though the bill explicitly prohibits release personal identifying information of any victim and the victims themselves supported the bill without concern for their names or information being exposed. Now they're saying National Security? Did the victims work for the CIA? Keep in mind, Alex Acosta, who gave Epstein the sweetheart deal then became a Cabinet Secretary for Trump, stated to interviewers of Trump's first transition team: "I was told Epstein 'belonged to intelligence' and to 'leave it alone'", and that Epstein was "above his pay grade."

The law itself makes it not so simple to just claim "we can't release the records due to National Security". There are specific provisions in the law, for how those situations must be handled.
Actual text from the law:

(2) All redactions must be accompanied by a written justification published in the Federal Register and submitted to Congress.

(3) To the extent that any covered information would otherwise be redacted or withheld as classified information under this section, the Attorney General shall declassify that classified information to the maximum extent possible.

(A) If the Attorney General makes a determination that covered information may not be declassified and made available in a manner that protects the national security of the United States, including methods or sources related to national security, the Attorney General shall release an unclassified summary for each of the redacted or withheld classified information.

(4) All decisions to classify any covered information after July 1, 2025 shall be published in the Federal Register and submitted to Congress, including the date of classification, the identity of the classifying authority, and an unclassified summary of the justification.


It requires the AG to declassify any classified material "to the maximum extent possible". And any information withheld due to being "classified" MUST be "published in the Federal Register and submitted to Congress" including who, when and why the material was classified. This means people will be paying very close to attention to their "explanations" for not releasing information and applying great pressure on the administration if their "explanations" are not believable.

angrychair

(11,549 posts)
42. That isn't what the law said
Thu Nov 20, 2025, 09:36 AM
Thursday

The law says that redactions must be limited in scope, explained and temporary.

Doesn't really matter that much because using the old "national security" angle will absolutely look like a cover up and that isn't going to work for them the way it has in the past.

Ping Tung

(4,064 posts)
43. He's trying to cover the lies under the flag and fear.
Thu Nov 20, 2025, 09:37 AM
Thursday
Every thing secret degenerates, even the administration of justice; nothing is safe that does not show how it can bear discussion and publicity. Lord Acton

Martin Eden

(15,206 posts)
45. Donald Trump is already a national security risk
Thu Nov 20, 2025, 09:38 AM
Thursday

Anything that weakens him to the point where Republicans in Congress start doing their job on oversight is in America's best interests.

Ponietz

(4,208 posts)
49. GTFO now Bondi! Last chance to save your soul
Thu Nov 20, 2025, 09:52 AM
Thursday

Otherwise, they’ll feed you to the dogs by the new year.

Walleye

(43,321 posts)
52. The definition of national security should be clearly stated in a law passed by Congress
Thu Nov 20, 2025, 09:59 AM
Thursday

National security should be something that threatens the actual existence of the United States. Not a bunch of billionaires reputations. Putin represents a threat to national security. Not Democrats.

neohippie

(1,253 posts)
53. The enabling of billionaires and this administration by the GoP is a national security risk
Thu Nov 20, 2025, 10:01 AM
Thursday

This mis-administration is a national security risk and so is Mike Johnson and the other GOP enablers

They are dismantling our federal institutions, denying climate science, weakening the US relationships with neighbors and allies, inviting enemies of our country into the White House for dinner.

They are redirecting our Justice Department resources and gutting decades of investigative and legal expertise and focusing way too much on immigration.

They are dividing our country, giving away or selling our secrets, aiding our enemies like Putin instead of allies like the Ukraine.

They are corrupting everything, destroying research, defunding grants and cutting back on education and waging a war on diversity that makes our country stronger and more resilient

They are harming our citizens, they are gutting the middle class, creating an even larger wealth divide.

They serve the global oligarchs instead of our own population.

They are subverting our laws, our constitution, our rights, thumbing their nose at ethics, degrading our morals, taxing us all through tariffs, enabling a criminal administration, ignoring their oath's to uphold and defend the constitution, ceding constitution power like appropriations and oversight to an overreaching executive, they are giving aid and comfort to enemies both foreign and domestic.

They are attacking voting rights, they are rigging the system anywhere they can

They are the real threat to ethics and law and order they have truly weaponized the government against its own citizens, eroding states rights, ignoring fiscal conservatism

I could go on and on but we all know the truth

GiqueCee

(3,083 posts)
55. Weaseldick Johnson...
Thu Nov 20, 2025, 10:05 AM
Thursday

... will say and do anything to ingratiate himself with the South End of a Northbound Yak. Mikey, face it: Trump is toast, and you're goin' down with him.

iemanja

(57,184 posts)
58. They've framed the bill so that they can withhold whatever they see fit
Thu Nov 20, 2025, 10:40 AM
Thursday

which means we will get noting on Trump. The Bulwark covered this yesterday.

&t=1388s

Clouds Passing

(6,602 posts)
59. Wouldn't it be something if we found out Eps was trafficking little boys to people like Mi-Little-Jo?
Thu Nov 20, 2025, 10:54 AM
Thursday
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