Democrats play hardball on Epstein files

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: The Hill

07/22/25 5:41 PM ET


Democrats are showing they’re ready to get dirty and hit President Trump where it hurts by stoking the Jeffrey Epstein controversy that’s severed his MAGA movement.

The strategy strays from the official line coming from top Democrats such as House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (N.Y.), who say they want their midterm campaign message to center on Medicaid cuts and other kitchen-table policies contained in Trump’s “big, beautiful bill.”

But the focus on Epstein has also been remarkably successful, energizing the Democratic grassroots and aggravating tensions within the GOP.

And this week, it prompted Republican leaders to scrap their legislative plans and head early into the long summer recess — all to avoid votes on the Epstein saga. Even traditionalist Democratic veterans are applauding the tactic for its effectiveness.

Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5414628-democrats-hardball-epstein-files/

[Hornedfrog2000]

1. Every single dem

Should be demanding the pedophile n chief be arrested for being a pedophile.

But, they wont. We will continue to watch them be too soft.

[BumRushDaShow]

3. I think "by nature"

Democrats are "caring", "empathetic", and try to be "non-confrontational" in their effort to solve everyday problems. And those in the populace who are also like that, gravitate towards supporting this approach.

But with politics being a nasty business, you DO have some who can and do get down into the mud to fight it out. However what tends to happens is that when they do, they often get pushback from some "loud" corners, so it's often hard to find those capable of striking the right "balance".

[OldBaldy1701E]

5. Forgive my crassness...

And my language...

But, fuck 'balance'.

As Kevin Costner said to the judge in the movie 'The Untouchables'...

"`I have forsworn myself. I have broken laws I swore to defend. I've become what I beheld and I'm content I have done right.'"

We might remember that this can be the reality of the situation sometimes.

[BumRushDaShow]

7. Unfortunately

that is the "human nature" of things.

There is obviously a transition underway but people need to understand the psychology of individuals and sociology of groups, and how they handle calamitous change.

[OldBaldy1701E]

11. When dealing with people...

It is probably for the best to remember that we are humans, and as such are prone to be more into the 'human nature' of things.

Appealing to logic and reason is fine, but, also unfortunately, we are not Vulcans. (Even though I know a few people who would pass for one.)

[BumRushDaShow]

12. As a Vulcan fan

I would agree. But then we know the background and nature of Vulcans and why they chose the path that they did.

Their inherent nature hasn't changed but is masked by rigid training and discipline.

[OldBaldy1701E]

23. Indeed.

One has to wonder if we humans would be capable of such a transformation.

Yes, but I won't see it if it does come to pass. We have a long way to go to become that self-aware. Too many of us believe that such awareness is an affront to their way of life. They'd rather see it all destroyed than have to face that music.

It is very sad. It is not the United States that I was taught about in school, nor is it the one that all of my hippie family members and older friends tried to create. It isn't even the one that Hollywood would have you believe it is.

[BumRushDaShow]

24. This is the problem of how they HAVE taught "history" - sanitized and white-washed

What is going right now is nothing new.



Millard Fillmore was down there in the basement of Presidents along with his own "in the bag" Chief Justice - the horrid Roger "Dred Scott" Taney (just like 45 and Roberts).



This country goes through these "cycles".

[OldBaldy1701E]

30. Yes, it does.

History shows it.

However, it is tough to lean on history when people are staring into the abyss. Knowing that times will get better in 20-76 years does not really do much for me, ya know? I am more worried about making it through each day while trying to make as little of an impact on our finances as I can. Which, with my failing body, is all but impossible.

The problem with history is that it sanitizes the reality of what transpired to create it. To be honest, I never wanted to be a statistic in the service of some fascist regime.

But, I never wanted to be a statistic in the service of a capitalistic regime either, so...

[BumRushDaShow]

33. I think the "problem" is that what is going on is magnified

literally by the availability of "instant, as it's happening" technology - radio, TV, internet. It ends up allowing a "mass experience" of both good and bad events, literally in "real time".

A perfect "historical" example of what "lack of immediacy" resulted in is the very origin of "Juneteenth", where the Emancipation Proclamation was signed in 1863 and the people in Galveston, TX didn't "get the memo" until 2 years later.

I think this requires people to try to cope or tune out in some way, and many do (which when it comes to things like the encroachment of fascism, is what they want to happen - less "engagement" and thus they power on). All of these types of systems eventually fall - but agree that the wait is horrible, especially if you or your family/friends/neighbors are directly impacted.

But people who experienced it do pass that info on to the next generation. I have posted this before, but (as a Trek reference too ), George Takei had a recent interview to describe his time in several internment camps during WW2 -

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

58. with all due respect

that is dialogue from a movie so it's not really a strategy. Having said that the D's need to get a few of the members to take on the role of 'bad cop' and blister his hide on a daily basis using FACTS, not hearsay, rhetoric or wishful thinking.

[choie]

19. I'm a social worker so I'm all about being compassionate, empathetic and non confrontational but,

how about being compassionate and empathetic to trump and epstein's victims, not to mention our country. Justice matters, and offenders should not be president. If Dems are being non confrontational, they're not doing their job.

[BumRushDaShow]

21. My mom was a social worker before I was born (and then became a stay-at-home mom)

So she would tell us about some of her past cases - including those adults and children who were institutionalized (this was when she was working back in the '50s).

There was quite a lot featured about Epstein's victims but at least one was pressured to drop her case and others tried to press their cases.

E.g., there was a docuseries done about them - https://apnews.com/article/jeffrey-epstein-entertainment-crime-arrests-featured-61d4fe425a7526f46218393912f45051

It was done for Lifetime Channel - https://www.mylifetime.com/shows/surviving-jeffrey-epstein

But the kicker here is that after what happened in 2019 with Epstein and Maxwell, then what happened? A pandemic that killed over 1 million here in the U.S. alone, so that shoved everything to the background.

But just like what happened with Sean "P-Diddy" Combs, you have forces that interfere with victims rights. As it is, you have people like Gaetz still running around. As long as men "run the show" then it will be like this.

And with respect to Democrats - they have run up against the Roberts Supreme Court, which has coddled and supported 45 for a long time.

There is that saying about "elections have consequences" and as long as people keep wanting "perfect" from the party, then they will only embolden the opposition.

[ancianita]

22. AMEN. "...as people keep wanting "perfect" from the party, then they will only embolden the opposition."

We mustmust support our youth demographic and not be divided by corporate driven hype against Mamdani or Hogg or anyone else who are raising GOTV numbers.

[creeksneakers2]

39. Hogg is doing everything possible to hurt turn out on our side

Polls showed the reason we lost youth turnout was because they thought we weren't doing enough to stop Trump. Hogg pushes the message constantly that Dems don't stand to Trump. The exact thing that hurt us last time with the young. That's why the Heritage Foundation loves him.

And he never says what Dems should actually do, other than to offer some lethally unpopular extremist policy suggestions like defunding the the police. We can't stop Trump with Congress because we don't have the votes. The courts work at lower levels but the Supremes are crooked and in Trump's pocket. Making public statements has limited effect because half the country is brainwashed.

Democrats are doing all they can. We'll do better if Hogg and his followers help Democrats instead of the GOP.

https://www.projectveritas.com/news/part-two-dnc-leader-david-hogg-slams-pelosis-too-well-timed-stock-trades

[electric_blue68]

36. One of my favorite voting analogies goes...

You don't have to fall innlove w a candidate.
Voting is like travel. You take the bus that gets you closest to you destination.

This drive for "the perfect", instead of "the good" has gotten us , "the horrific"!!

FU, voters who stayed home ! You had NO EXCUSE! None! You saw what he was like First Term. What were you thinking?! Arrrggg! Blarghhh!

[Skittles]

32. seems like these victims are all too often just a side note

the talk about political leverage regarding this issue is just plain sickening, this is NOT A GAME

[the nelm]

35. Totally true, but they do need to be careful so as to not overplay that hand, as the right always tends...

to do. Don't give the opposition the ammo they need to turn to turn this back on themselves (the Dems) as Trump and Johnson are trying to do. Be strategic with the kill shots. This is not to say play nice or anything like that, just wait for the openings the Repubs and press give you, then strike hard. Does that make sense?

[Trueblue1968]

25. Jeffries doesn't want to use Epstein ??? Boo !!! He better damn DAM well use it. If he doesnt, he needs to step down

Money, health insurance, tax cuts etc are all great things to run campaigns on. BUT Epstein and Trump and the rest of them sexually and violently attached
Children. One of the victims I. Her 40's committed suicide because she

[BlueKota]

29. Remember the Old El Paso commercial

where the little girl said "why not both?", when debating food choices.

Use both the cuts and the scandals against the cult backers in power. We have a lot of intelligent people in our party, who are more than capable of walking and chewing gum at the same time. There are also members on our side, who aren't afraid to take the bullies to task. If leadership doesn't want to do it, hand the mikes over to those that do. There are times playing nice is an effective strategy, and times where it's doomed to failure. We are in the later stage.

[creeksneakers2]

40. Who said Jeffries doesn't want to use it?

Jeffries urges release of all Jeffrey Epstein files

https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5400617-jeffries-jeffrey-epstein-files/

[Trueblue1968]

52. All have to is READ original post. Didnt you read the paragraph that described what jefferies wants to concentrate on.

[creeksneakers2]

53. It says center on other things

Nothing about not using it.

[creeksneakers2]

37. They need proof first

But that didn't stop you from attacking Democrats instead of Republicans. Whose side are you on?

[Polybius]

45. Before they can do that, the evidence has to be a smoking gun

Don't get me wrong, he's almost certainly guilty. However, posing with Epstein, attending his parties, writing him birthday letters, and even riding on his plane isn't enough to call for his arrest. All of the above is legal. What they can do is try and see if there's undeniable evidence that he slept with underage girls.

[Aviation Pro]

2. The ultimate kitchen-table policy

Is to keep children away from fucking pedophiles.

[Scott Alan Swaggerty]

50. Absolutely

[no_hypocrisy]

4. I see the whole dynamic of Republicans and Democrats as the classic war between

Narcissists and Empaths respectively.

Empaths take a lot of abuse, not because they're masochistic. They don't enjoy or appreciate the harm inflicted upon them and their constituents. They use compassion, understanding, and (to a certain extent) confusion when they should be showing they won't be dominated. Arguments almost seem like a waste of time because the Narcissists/Republicans aren't interested and aren't listening.

And Narcissists regale in their ability to prevail without being stopped or held in account for their damage, their words, etc.

And like Samson in The Old Testament, while stripped of his hair and his strength, and chained to wheel, the Narcissists/Philistines fail to notice that his hair has started to grow back, restoring his strength.

And Democrats are now ready to assert control against their adversaries, who used to be compatriots in Congress.

Whether it's Epstein or it's the shock and awe of Democrats rising up on their hind legs, being relentless, and being heard, it's working.

[jimmil]

6. Why don't Democrats play hardball all the time??? N/T

[bagimin]

9. Because

we're too fuckin nice!

[Bengus81]

34. Democrats think that Republicans will reciprocate with the niceness---ROFLMAO!

Republicans laughed their assess off as Al Franken was tossed under the bus by a load of Dems. Now we have a fucking NAZI who ignores laws,the rules of Congress and the Constitution.

Anyone see a load of Republicans racing to get Trump out of office?? Their like Trump,school yard bullies. Time to stop fucking around with them and show them some muscle.

[creeksneakers2]

41. They are.

[Skittles]

57. repukes are treated like white men

Dems are treated like women and POC - our anger is used AGAINST us

[Trueblue Texan]

8. All of this stuff coming out now makes me wonder about the recent "suicide" of...

Virginia Guiffre. She won a settlement from Prince Andrew after fighting for justice for years, yet in April she committed suicide. I wonder about the circumstances of that.

[mpcamb]

10. In this summer break I think it's essential to BELEAGUER republicans in their home districts.

They look terrible for what they're doing.
Keep the pressure on. Don't let it wither.

[Seinan Sensei]

13. Speaker Johnson can't know about Epstein

Because his teenage son, his “accountability partner,” won’t allow Johnson to view anything lewd or pornographic.

[sdfernando]

14. Creepy!!!

This is one of the creepiest father/son relationships I've ever heard of! That kid is going to have issues when he becomes and adult.

[Scott Alan Swaggerty]

49. Very creepy

[nowforever]

15. Can someone release

the birthday message, it is literally a confession on the joys of pedophilia...

[Bluetus]

16. "Even traditionalist Democratic veterans are applauding the tactic ..."

Now there is some serious damning with faint praise.

Let me translate: Even the empty suit Democrats who have prevented us from taking aggressive, populist positions on ANYTHING for 45 years of trickle-down economics and the dismantling of much of what the FDR years built, are now acknowledging, ever so meekly and privately, that maybe it has been a mistake to not oppose these fascists for over two generations.

I'd like to say "Welcome aboard, better late than never". But they aren't really aboard and it may be too late.

[Torchlight]

17. Just keep the pressure on and the help keep the story in the news

The rest (I think) is dominoes.

[kimbutgar]

18. Every time a Democrat is interviewed they should bring up Epstein first then privot and answer the

Question about the subject but mention this Epstein thing should be front and center.

[Scott Alan Swaggerty]

48. They really should

[choie]

20. Jeffries doesn't think Dems are capable of focusing on more than one issue?

That's lazy and cowardly.

[creeksneakers2]

42. Where did Jeffries say that?

"Last week, Jeffries convened his committee leaders and other key Democrats with a message: “Keep the pressure on,” he told them, according to people privy to his closed-door instructions."

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/house-dems-find-their-mojo-with-the-epstein-saga/ar-AA1J7Mm9

[choie]

55. The OP posted a quote from The Hill

"The strategy strays from ]the official line coming from top Democrats such as House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (N.Y.), who say they want their midterm campaign message to center on Medicaid cuts and other kitchen-table policies contained in Trump’s “big, beautiful bill.”

[creeksneakers2]

56. That says center on the Medicaid cuts

Doesn't say not to use Epstein. Did you miss the headline?

"Democrats play hardball on Epstein files"

[Blue Owl]

26. About fucking time and this is important

Pedophilia is a whole different arena than any other sex scandal involving adults — its predatory, sickening, and revolting in every aspect.

[OrlandoDem2]

27. No compromise with a child rapist, or someone protecting child rapists!

[Scott Alan Swaggerty]

47. Indeed

[ILikePie92]

28. Hardball?

Democrats don't play hardball on ANYTHING. It's why we lose races we shouldn't.

[creeksneakers2]

43. Another supporter of lies

Democrats are doing all they can.

[ILikePie92]

51. Ha

Obviously not

[creeksneakers2]

54. What could they do that they aren't doing?

Be specific.

[haydukelives]

31. "democrats play hardball"

LOL.

[electric_blue68]

38. I'm a Dem who always thought there were times to play hardball! To e Very Assertive, and pointed....

Last edited Thu Jul 24, 2025, 12:23 AM - Edit history (1)

I used to design quite assertive letter sized posters on conputer which I'd xerox, and paste up on bus stop structures by college campuses, my neighbors, and maybe midtown, too.

[Aussie105]

44. Hardball?

Last edited Wed Jul 23, 2025, 10:38 PM - Edit history (1)

What I both understand and find strange:

I understand that males often get together to make up a group, and their own rules can go against those of society.
Examples?
Three lads out and about come across a single female at a bus stop, drag her into the bushes and rape her.
Motorcycle gangs where entry is favouring a certain brand, have a strict code regarding dress and facial hair, and deal in drugs.
etc

Once you are in a group/gang, you make up your own rules and code speak, and rules of legality and morality just aren't relevant.
Seems to be the nature of the male part of humanity.

What I find strange:
Society and the law say 'not so fast' and crack down on gangs.
Now comes the clincher:
A gathering of males who decide that a hunt for fresh meat in a predatory and sexual way is just dandy.
These males are also 'important' in a business, financial and political sense.

And the police, the legal system go hands-off, we aren't going there!

Reminds me of this story:

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-65878077
"Berlusconi, the belly dancer and the bunga bunga parties"

At the time I thought . . . Italian politics? Self entitled, corrupt, decadent gang of old blokes.
Couldn't possibly happen in a civilized country!
Guess I was wrong.

Berlusconi almost did 4 years in prison for tax evasion.
His history and Trump's have many similarities.

Hopefully Trump will go the same way, tax evasion is the least of his crimes but the easiest to prove.

[Scott Alan Swaggerty]

46. Kick