EPSTEIN VOTE: The House is expected to overwhelmingly pass a measure Tuesday calling on the government to release its files on convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Trump completed his reversal on the files Monday when he said he would sign the legislation if Congress sends it to his desk. The president came out in favor of the files' release late Sunday.
"Sure I would," Trump told reporters Monday when asked if he would sign the legislation. "Let the Senate look at it. Let anybody look at it."
The measure was already almost certain to pass the House before Trump's shift, with dozens of Republicans expected to join all House Democrats in voting for the files' release.
The bill would next move to the Senate, where it would need 60 votes to advance. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) could bring it to the floor after Thanksgiving, The Hill's Alexander Bolton and Al Weaver report. Thune could also bring it up later this week, but that would require unanimous consent to approve immediately.
Trump has sought to reframe the conversation around Epstein amid renewed scrutiny of his past ties to the disgraced financier. The president directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate Epstein's connections with several business leaders and prominent Democrats.
"It's really a Democrat problem," Trump said Monday. "The Democrats were Epstein's friends, all of them. And it's a hoax, the whole thing is a hoax."
▪ The Hill: Larry Summers stepping back from 'public commitments' after Epstein emails.
Democrats see the issue as a way to drive a wedge between the president and his supporters. The Hill's Amie Parnes reports Democrats believe the controversy around the files, and Trump's own ties to Epstein, finally paint the president how they have been trying to portray him for years.
The issue was a driving factor in the public breakup between Trump and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), a longtime ally whom the president has in recent days labeled a "lunatic" and "traitor." Greene has been a staunch advocate for transparency surrounding the Epstein files.
▪ The Hill: The Memo: MAGA tensions are backdrop for Trump's Epstein turn.
▪ The Hill: Epstein disclosures still face hurdles.
▪ The Hill: Heritage Foundation board member resigns over Carlson defense.
DEMS DIVIDED: The House on Monday advanced a resolution denouncing Rep. Jesús "Chuy" García (D-Ill.) for the timing of his retirement announcement in an instance of intra-party Democratic fighting.
Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.) introduced the motion, accusing Garcia of "undermining the process of a fair and free election" after he announced his retirement after the filing deadline for his seat.
Garcia's unexpected move earlier this month left his chief of staff as the only Democrat in the primary race to succeed him in the solidly Democratic-leaning district.
The issue has become a headache for House Democratic leadership, who oppose the motion. A motion to table the resolution failed Monday in a mostly party-line vote. Gluesenkamp Perez and Rep. Jared Golden (Maine) were the only Democrats to back the resolution.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) defended Garcia on Monday, pointing to his track record representing minority communities in Chicago and arguing voters are more focused on the high cost of living.
"I do not support this so-called resolution of disapproval. And I strongly support Congressman Chuy García," Jeffries said.
The controversy underscores the divisions within the Democratic Party as it tries to present a unified front opposing Trump.
DEM PRIMARY: Jeffries picked up a primary challenger on Monday as progressive frustration with the Democratic Party's leadership intensifies.
New York City Council member Chi Ossé, a democratic socialist, filed paperwork to challenge Jeffries in New York's 8th Congressional District. Ossé has served in city council since 2022.
The challenge didn't come as a surprise as the New York Post reported last week that the 27-year-old, a supporter of New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani (D), was preparing to challenge Jeffries. It comes as anger has been building with Democratic leaders during Trump's second term, especially after the deal to end the government shutdown last week.
Much of the fury has been directed at Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) for not keeping his caucus in line, but other leaders like Jeffries have also been criticized for their leadership and faced accusations of being ineffective.
Ossé will have an uphill battle against the Democratic leader, which could potentially be made more difficult by Mamdani, who reportedly discouraged him from challenging Jeffries, expressing concern about disrupting a peace between moderates and progressives.
▪ Politico: Mamdani in tough spot with Jeffries primary.
FEMA DIRECTOR RESIGNS: The head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is stepping down after six months leading the agency.
A FEMA spokesperson didn't say why acting Administrator David Richardson is leaving his role but expressed "sincere appreciation" for his service and said he would be returning to the private sector. FEMA chief of staff Karen Evans will take over leadership of the agency on Dec. 1.
Richardson faced scrutiny during his tenure for his handling of deadly floods in Texas and the Trump administration's proposals to reform or eliminate the agency. The Washington Post reported that high-level officials couldn't reach Richardson, whose approval was needed to send resources, during the flooding that claimed at least 135 lives.
▪ CNN: Trump administration planned to oust Richardson before his resignation.
COMEY CASE: The criminal case against former FBI Director James Comey appears to be in jeopardy after a federal judge accused the prosecution of multiple missteps in its investigation.
Comey is facing charges of making false statements to Congress and obstruction stemming from testimony he gave in 2020 about leaks at the FBI. He has pleaded not guilty, and his trial is scheduled for January.
But Judge William Fitzpatrick ordered the Department of Justice to hand over grand jury materials to Comey by the end of Monday as he referenced several apparent missteps from interim U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan, Trump's hand picked prosecutor. He said Comey's right to due process outweighs the secrecy usually given to grand jury proceedings.
"The Court recognizes that the relief sought by the defense is rarely granted," Fitzpatrick said. "However, the record points to a disturbing pattern of profound investigative missteps, missteps that led an FBI agent and a prosecutor to potentially undermine the integrity of the grand jury proceeding."
The judge's decision comes as Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James (D), who is also facing charges in an unrelated case, are challenging the legitimacy of Halligan's appointment and her ability to bring charges against them.
▪ The Hill: Comey case faces widening judicial backlash.
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