Break It Down!
In the world of news cycles, the Government Shutdown rules the roost at the moment. This week, however, offers at least a couple of options for 1A, and 1B. Yesterday’s Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing, featuring a melodramatic Academy Award-worthy performance by Attorney General Pam Bondi captures the 1A slot. For the moment. But don’t cast your vote yet. Today, 1B is coming. Former FBI Director James Comey is set to be arraigned in Alexandria, VA. And that’s just 3 days into the 5-day workweek.
Last month, in celebration of Comey’s indictment, Donald Trump characterized the move by the Justice Department as “Justice in America, and called Comey “one of the worst human beings this country has ever been exposed to.” Prior to the indictment, Trump had called upon AG Bondi to more aggressively investigate his political adversaries.
In a social media post addressed directly to Bondi, Trump said, “We can’t delay any longer, it’s killing our reputation and credibility.” He further expressed frustration that “nothing is being done,” before calling on Bondi to investigate former FBI Director James Comey, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and California Democratic Senator Adam Schiff, who oversaw his first impeachment trial.
Shortly afterward, he posted again: ”Pam: I have reviewed over 30 statements and posts saying that, essentially, same old story as last time, all talk, no action. Nothing is being done. What about Comey, Adam “Shifty” Schiff, Leticia??? They are all guilty as hell, but nothing is going to be done.”
Following Trump’s screed, and the arrival of a new federal prosecutor, Mr. Comey was indicted. “And the band plays on” (Pro tip: We really are in a Ball of Confusion…IYKYK).
It was tempting to make one of those current top tier news items the topic for today’s post. I considered it; I really did. But in a sort of Robert Frost moment, I took a position curated from his famous metrical composition, “The Road Not Taken, which ends with the following verse:
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
That’s overly dramatic, for sure, but I like the poem, and I wanted to use the final stanza in this blog. Voila.
Whether seeking the cure for a disease, or the solution to a problem, the most effective strategy is not to investigate the symptoms; rather, it is to determine the root cause. In other words, sometimes, you really do have to reject the optics of your lying eyes. The art of political legerdemain, the practice of getting you to look at the activity over here, while the real dastardly mischief is being executed over there, is well-practiced, and skillfully done.
This is where I take you for a ride in the way-back machine and redirect your attention to a matter that Trump, Inc. is trying desperately to induce you to forget. Three words: “The Epstein Files.” Every Trump rant, and all the performances of his dutiful acolytes are designed to deflect, distract, and propel you to disassociate cognitively from the notion of Trump and any potential nexus between him and “The Epstein Files.” AG Bondi in particular, does appear to protest too much. In February, she claimed during a Fox News interview that the Jeffrey Epstein client list (aka, The Epstein Files”) is “sitting on my desk right now to review.” So where is it today? Non-existent, if you believe her subsequent cover story.
That’s where Adelita Grijalva come into focus. At this juncture, 218 votes are required in the House of Representatives to constitute a majority vote, when all current members are present and voting. That’s 50% plus 1 of the 435 members. There are 217 members on record as being willing to vote to release “The (so-called) Epstein Files.”
Ms. Grijalva won a landslide Special Election in Arizona. She became the first Latina to represent AZ in Congress, and has pledged that when sworn into office, she will provide the decisive 218th vote. Thus, prompting a serious round of political gymnastics. The Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, has basically sent House members home. Well, to be precise, he didn’t tell them they had to go home; just that they had to get the hades up outta the House of Representatives. The institution is Closed for Business, and, just so we’re clear, it was shuttered before the commencement of the shutdown. As a result of that artful move, he then declared that Grijalva couldn’t be sworn in, because the House wasn’t in session. Notwithstanding, he’d previously said he’d swear in the Democrat whenever she liked. More legerdemain. He now says he’ll swear her in, when Democrats open up the government. Fact: He swore in Florida GOP Reps. Jimmy Patronis and Randy Fine during a pro forma session earlier this year. In standard English, that means, technically, when the House was not in session. Just as is the case now.
In short, there is no rule. Johnson, just as Trump, or perhaps more aptly, in the service of Trump, is flexing raw power, for the sole purpose of preventing Ms. Grijalva from assuming her rightful place in Congress, thereby denying her constituents the representation they elected…and perhaps more important to the Trump axis, so as to keep her from voting to release “The Epstein Files.” The additional time may also be used to give Trump. Inc the opportunity to flip one or more of the votes of Republicans, who’ve committed to support releasing said files. It remains to be seen how it all plays out. If form holds, some GOP member, previously committed to releasing the files will either wilt under Trump’s relentless bullying pressure, or perhaps, secure some acceptable medium of exchange for their vote. I’m prepared to be surprised, but I certainly urge you not to bet the rent on it. “Adelita Grijalva: Remember The Name!”
I’m done; holla back!
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For more detailed information on a variety of aspects relating to this post, consult the links below:
https://www.cnn.com/2025/10/07/politics/johnson-adelita-grijalva-swearing-in
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44272/the-road-not-taken
BREAK IT DOWN! 