Hi, all, and happy Monday.
There are a lot of moving parts as we head into what’s sure to be a crazy week.
Tomorrow the House will vote on the Epstein Files Transparency Act. I expect to see a decent majority of lawmakers vote yes, especially since Trump has “given permission” for Republicans to do so. Of course there are varying theories as to why he did this, but the simplest explanation may be the best one: he saw the writing on the wall and decided he’d rather pretend he didn’t care how Republicans voted than have lawmakers openly defy him. Remember, he is, above all, a narcissist. His ego couldn’t take such a public humiliation.
Of course, Trump could also have tampered with the evidence sufficiently to bury his own guilt. He could, alternately, be planning to stop the bill in the Senate. He could be planning to use his so-called “investigation” into Bill Clinton and other Democrats as a pretext for stalling the full release of the files. He could be planning to veto the final bill. We simply don’t know what he’s got up his sleeve, but we know it’s nefarious. We will simply have to keep going, come what may. His destruction of evidence will become clear, if it happens, and will, itself, present proof of a greater coverup. Republican Senators can be pressured. Trump’s veto can be overridden.
My point is that no, this won’t be easy. And yes, Trump will obstruct the truth from coming out every way he can. But also remember that we are not, as Robert Hubbell says, potted plants! We will fight back, highlighting his coverups to effectively prove he must be guilty, pressuring lawmakers to part with him, hectoring them about his other failures until they lose all desire to stand up for him.
This is tough, but it can be done. And, for the victims, it must be.
Speaking of the victims, a small group of Epstein survivors came together in a powerful new video to call on Congress to release the Epstein files. You’ve likely seen it, but if you haven’t here it is. (Trigger warning: contains references to the sexual abuse of children.)
Powerful, isn’t it? And yes, gutting. Let it fuel your determination.
In other tough news, the Trump administration deployed ICE agents to Charlotte, NC over the weekend to terrorize yet another community under the guise of “safety.” It’s awful—to those of you in the area please accept our support and condolences. It’s truly unbearable to witness this up close—many of us, alas, have experienced it. We send Charlotte and other affected communities our hope and strength, and cheer the ongoing peaceful resistance. I’ve put the links to some excellent local organizations below that are supporting immigrant communities in North Carolina right now. Please give if you can.
This administration is sadistic, cruel, ignorant, brutal and lawless. It’s painful to feel subject to their ongoing abuses. Yet someday we WILL defeat them, and then the accountability will begin. So stick around for that part, friends, because we WILL have justice, and boy, will it feel good.
But for now let’s get to work one more time. Because the work is what will carry us to the wins. And the wins are what we absolutely must have.
Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I’m a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
I’m calling, once again, to express my sheer outrage and horror at what ICE is doing to our communities, currently in Charlotte. They are acting with seeming impunity, targeting citizens and noncitizens alike, smashing windows, thrusting guns in onlookers faces, and ignoring all law and due process. Americans don’t want this and we will not tolerate it any longer. ICE needs to be reined in and held accountable for their lawlessness and brutality. I will never forget this moment in our history, and I will never forgive the lawmakers that allowed it to happen. ICE has to be stopped. Thanks.
Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I’m a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
I’m calling to ask the Congressmember to vote yes on the Epstein Files Transparency Act. To quote the victims directly, “a vote for the Act is a vote for justice denied for decades.” I also want the Congressmember to do everything in their power to make sure that the complete files are released—that Trump doesn’t tamper with evidence or use a sham investigation to block parts of the files from coming out. The American people won’t stand for any more delays. Thanks.
Extra Credit
Trump is now targeting Seth Meyers. Let’s tell NBC that they better NOT bend to Trump and fire him!
I wrote (as usual, brief and not very articulate—I’m sure you can do better):
I’m writing to express my strong support for Seth Myers and to warn NBC that if they cave to Trump and try to fire him there will be financial hell to pay. You saw what we did when Trump tried this with Kimmel and we’re ready and able to do it again with your advertisers. Please leave Myers be. Thanks.
[Thanks to reader Mary F-S for the suggestion]
Extra Extra Credit ✅
House Democrats have filed a discharge petition to force Speaker Mike Johnson to hold a vote on a 3-year extension of the ACA subsidies.
If the Discharge Petition gets 218 signatures, Speaker Johnson cannot block a floor vote. If every Democrat signs, it would only take 4 Republicans to join them in lowering health care premiums for their constituents.
Get Smart on the Starbucks boycott! 📚
On Thursday, Nov. 13 over 1,000 Starbucks baristas in 40+ cities launched a national open-ended, unfair labor practice strike. These workers are putting it all on the line to fight for whats right, and need customers and allies everywhere to back them up.
Join Starbucks Workers United on Nov 17 at 5:30 PM PT / 8:30 PM ET to hear updates from striking baristas and to learn more about what you can do to support baristas’ fight to end union busting and win a fair contract.
Get Smart on the Media! 📺
Don’t Miss the Upcoming Media and Democracy Project Monday Zoom!
From them:
Our next community Zoom gathering will be this coming Monday, November 17. We will review recent highs and lows in media coverage, concerning developments in the news business (such as actions of the new CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss), and much more.
Please sign up here.
If tackling the huge problems with our corporate media interests you THIS is the call for you.
Give 💰!
Charlotte, NC is getting hammered with ICE raids right now. Subscriber Cheryl J. put this in the comments of yesterday’s newsletter:
FYI, I attended a Red Wine & Blue meeting this evening and they shared a number of resources, including one on where people can donate:
* Carolina Migrant Network (fuses legal services and community advocacy to provide holistic support for our clients and their families.
* Latin American Coalition La Coalición has activated its Family Support Network to provide financial help to impacted families.
* ourBRIDGE for KIDS — ourBRIDGE provides after-school programs and wrap-around services for immigrant and refugee families at three locations in Charlotte.
*Action NC has been leading the fight for immigrant justice in North Carolina.
I put a fundraiser for Carolina Migrant Network in my Instagram profile. It’s not hard to do! Let’s help all we can.
Get in the Streets! 🪧
Remove the Regime, a mass protest event that runs from November 20-22, is happening in DC this week! I think it’s going to be huge! People from all over the country will be descending in DC to meet with representatives, march, and hold a rally saying it’s time to REMOVE THE REGIME! More info at removetheregime.com.
I wish I could go but I’m leaving for London on Friday! Please go in my stead if you can!
Grab your Wallet! 💳
Remember, we’re still boycotting Spotify, Starbucks, and Sirius! But starting on Friday, 11/27 we’re also boycotting Amazon, Target and Home Depot as part of the We Ain’t Buying It campaign! Let’s wield our wallets like weapons, because that’s what they are!
Please use these promotional graphics to spread the word!
Win Races! 🗳
Aftyn Behn’s special election in Tennessee’s District 7 will happen on Dec. 2. YOU GUYS WE CAN WIN THIS!
Please donate. Please phone-bank. Please pitch in with Indivisible. Or just tell friends and family in Tennessee!
PHONEBANK WITH AFTYN’S CAMPAIGN
Here’s Aftyn’s Mobilize page with other opportunities.
Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻
[To: your Senators] [H/T] [Text SIGN PCBANM to 50409, or to @Resistbot on Apple Messages, Messenger, Instagram, or Telegram]
(Note that for the most effective RESISTBOT it’s best to personalize this text. More about how to do this here. But if you’re short on time just send it as is using the above code.)
I’m writing to express my opposition to President Trump’s nominee for the Inspector General of the HHS, Thomas March Bell.
The HHS IG holds a critical responsibility in protecting the integrity of HHS programs as well as the health and welfare of the people HHS serves. This role is essential for safeguarding taxpayer dollars and ensuring that HHS initiatives operate both effectively and ethically. It requires a person who demonstrates impartiality, independence, and the utmost ethical standards.
Mr. Bell has proven that he has none of these essential qualities. He has a long and troubling history of unethical conduct, extreme partisanship, and abuse of power that has harmed taxpayers, spread misinformation, and put reproductive health care providers at risk.
In 1997, Bell was asked to resign as deputy director of the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality after a legislative audit uncovered his misappropriation of $8,000 in taxpayer funds. In 2015, Bell led a highly partisan House investigation of reproductive health care providers based on widely discredited and debunked accusations by anti-abortion groups. During the first Trump Administration, Bell helped create HHS’s “Division for Conscience and Religious Freedom,” which was used to embolden health care providers to deny access to critical and even life-saving reproductive health care.
Additionally, during Bell’s tenure as Chief of Staff for the HHS Office for Civil Rights, the administration targeted states that refused to fund anti-abortion centers, which misled and endangered pregnant individuals. In this role, he also contributed to efforts to limit federal protections for gender identity under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, weakening protections for transgender people who experience discrimination.
IGs are historically nonpartisan watchdogs, and HHS’s IG should be dedicated to transparency and impartiality. Given this history, it is difficult to believe that Mr. Bell has developed the unbiased, moral, and ethical character necessary for the role of Inspector General.
For these reasons, I urge the Senate to reject the nomination of Thomas March Bell for HHS Inspector General. Thanks.
OK, you did it again! You’re helping to save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk soon.
Jess
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