November 19, 2025

Good Wednesday evening. In this edition: DOJ says it will comply with Epstein files legislation as it awaits Trump's signature.

• Plus, Comey, Ukraine war, Cory Mills, Stacey Plaskett, Saudi Arabia, Tom Steyer, and CFPB.

Epstein Files

Attorney General Pam Bondi said the Justice Department intends to comply with newly passed legislation requiring the release of all files related to disgraced financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

• "We will continue to follow the law and encourage maximum transparency," she told reporters at a press conference on an unrelated matter.

The legislation, which is awaiting President Trump's signature after winning near-unanimous support in both chambers of Congress, requires the Justice Department to release, within 30 days and "in a searchable and downloadable format," all files related to Mr. Epstein.

• The bill states that the DOJ "may not withhold or redact records on the basis of embarrassment, reputational harm or political sensitivity."
  
  
• However, the department may still withhold records that are classified, identify victims, contain images of child sexual abuse, or "would jeopardize an active federal investigation or ongoing prosecution."

President Trump last Friday ordered the DOJ to launch a new investigation into potential ties between Mr. Epstein and prominent Democrats, including former President Bill Clinton and former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers.

• It's unclear whether the Justice Department might cite that new investigation, led by the Southern District of New York, as grounds to withhold certain records.

Asked what had changed since July — when the DOJ said in a memo that no additional files would be released and that the files contained no information that would lead officials to investigate anyone else — Attorney General Bondi cited "new information."

• "There's information, new information, additional information," she said. "And again, we will continue to follow the law to investigate any leads. If there are any victims, we encourage all victims to come forward. And we will continue to provide maximum transparency under the law."

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) cautioned the Trump administration to fully comply with the legislation, warning that Congress would hold it to account.

• "I want to be very clear: the job is not done. The vote is not the end. It's only the beginning. Once the president signs the bill, he must apply and execute it faithfully. There must be no funny business from Donald Trump," he said shortly after the Senate formally sent the House-passed bill to the White House.
  
  
• "He must not use the excuse of frivolous investigations to release some Epstein documents while intentionally hiding others that deserve to be seen by the American public."

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) said he trusts the Justice Department to comply with the legislation and use proper discretion when determining what to withhold or redact.

• "I trust the judgment of the Justice Department to ensure that whatever files they release protect the victims," he told reporters. "I think there are other items, perhaps materials that were acquired through grand jury trials, that perhaps they will have to make some decisions about, but I think they'll make the right decision."

The House approved the bill on Tuesday in a 427–1 vote, followed by the Senate through unanimous consent, sending the measure to President Trump's desk.

• "The clear intent was, in both the House and the Senate … to get the information out there," Sen. Thune said.

Despite working to kill the legislation for months, President Trump said earlier this week that he intends to sign it into law.

Watch the remarks from AG Bondi and Sens. Schumer and Thune.

In other news…

• The Justice Department acknowledged that a full grand jury never reviewed the final indictment against former FBI Director James Comey, a revelation that could jeopardize the prosecution President Trump had publicly pushed for. Grand jurors had previously rejected a three-count indictment. Hours later, the grand jury foreperson signed off on a revised two-count indictment charging Mr. Comey with making false statements to Congress. The admission came during a U.S. District Court hearing examining whether the charges were filed as an act of vindictive retribution against Mr. Comey.
  
  

• The U.S. and Russia have reportedly been working on a secret proposal to end the war in Ukraine that would require Kyiv to surrender some of the territory it currently controls in the eastern part of the country in exchange for security guarantees for both Ukraine and Europe against future Russian aggression. Under the 28-point plan, modeled in part on the Gaza cease-fire framework, Russia would assume full control of the Donbas, while the existing front lines in the Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions would be frozen in place. It remains uncertain how Ukrainian officials will react to a proposal that demands significant concessions from Kyiv.
  
  

• The House Ethics Committee opened an investigation into embattled Rep. Cory Mills (R-FL) hours before the House was set to vote on Rep. Nancy Mace's (R-SC) resolution to censure and strip him of his committee assignments over allegations of domestic abuse, stolen valor and financial misconduct, all of which he denies. The move could provide cover for Republicans to vote against the resolution later tonight. "This is a naked attempt to kill my resolution to censure Rep. Cory Mills," Rep. Mace responded.
  
  

• The House on Tuesday night rejected a Republican resolution to censure Del. Stacey Plaskett (D-VI) and remove her from the Intelligence Committee for texting with Jeffrey Epstein during a congressional hearing in 2019. The vote failed 209–214 after three Republicans — Reps. Don Bacon (NE), Lance Gooden (TX) and David Joyce (OH) — voted with Democrats against the measure. Another three Republicans — Reps. Andrew Garbarino (NY), Dan Meuser (PA) and Jay Obernolte (CA) — voted "present."
  
  

• President Trump announced he will designate Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally, a move that deepens defense cooperation between the U.S. and the Gulf kingdom. "A stronger and more capable alliance will advance the interests of both countries, and it will serve the highest interests of peace," he said Tuesday night at a black-tie dinner honoring Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Major non-NATO ally status eases weapons transfers, allows U.S. arms to be stored in the country, and makes the nation eligible to bid on Pentagon maintenance and repair contracts. The designation does not require the U.S. to defend the country as it would a NATO member.
  
  

• Tom Steyer, the San Francisco billionaire who ran for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020, announced he will run for California governor next year. The former hedge fund manager and environmental advocate joins a crowded field to succeed term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) that already includes eight Democrats and two Republicans, with more expected to soon enter the race.
  
  

• President Trump nominated Stuart Levenbach, a senior official at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), to be the director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). The move is designed to extend OMB Director Russell Vought's tenure as the acting director of the CFPB as he continues to dismantle the agency. The Vacancies Act typically limits acting officials from serving in their posts for more than 210 days. But the period is extended if the White House puts forward another nominee.

For your radar…

• The House votes Wednesday evening on a bill to repeal a provision in the new government funding law allowing some senators to sue the government over past searches of their phone records without their knowledge. Lawmakers are also expected to vote on a GOP resolution to censure Rep. Cory Mills (R-FL). Watch LIVE on C-SPAN at 8:15pm ET.
  
  

   

• Former Vice President Dick Cheney is remembered at a funeral service Thursday at the Washington National Cathedral. Speakers include former President George W. Bush and former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY). Watch LIVE on C-SPAN3 at 10:30am ET.

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