ICE on the Move; and Epstein Case, Too – “The Sunday Political Brunch”
Mark Curtis, MINDSETTER™
ICE on the Move; and Epstein Case, Too – “The Sunday Political Brunch”
“ICE Minnesota Ends” – Seemingly out of nowhere, the White House and the Department of Homeland Security are ending the ICE presence in Minnesota. This was after the original force of 3,000 was cut by 700 agents, following the controversial deaths of two protesters. White House Border Czar Tom Homan said, “The surge is leaving Minnesota safer.” He added, “I’ll say it again, it’s less of a sanctuary state for criminals.” A recent Associated Press poll found that 62 percent of respondents say sending federal agents to patrol American streets has “gone too far.” Those are not the kind of numbers the Republican Party needs or wants as it approaches a critical midterm election, where its control of both chambers of Congress is in jeopardy. Gov. Tim Walz (D) Minnesota said the ICE presence was “unnecessary, unwarranted, and in many cases an unconstitutional assault on our state.”
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“Shutdown, Again” – The federal government is in another partial government shutdown. While five of the six annual appropriations bills were passed weeks ago, the final bill, which funds the Department of Homeland Security, including ICE, failed to pass in the Senate after clearing the House. So, on Saturday a partial government shutdown began. And the biggest question isn’t just about funding or defunding Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Another sticking point is whether or not ICE agents should be banned from wearing marks that protect their identity. Sen. Thom Tillis (R) North Carolina supports allowing the masks, saying, “You know, there’s a lot of vicious people out there, and they’ll take a picture of your face, and the next thing you know, your children or your wife or your husband are being threatened at home.” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D) New York, wanted the masks banned, saying, unmasking agents is a “hard red line” in final budget negotiations. In the end, the standoff over ICE masks led to this partial shutdown.
“Maxwell Testifies and Says Nothing” – Convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell, the one-time girlfriend and pimp for convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, was called to testify before Congress this past Monday. The House Oversight Committee was scheduled to interview Maxwell via a video link to a Texas prison where she is serving a 20-year sentence. Instead, Maxwell invoked her Fifth Amendment right not to testify, on the grounds that it might incriminate her. She and her attorney further appealed that if President Trump grants Maxwell immunity, then she can testify before Congress and prove that Trump did nothing illegal or improper.
“We Can Handle the Truth” – Maxwell’s attorney, David Markus, said, “For example, both President Trump and President Clinton are innocent of any wrongdoing. Ms. Maxwell alone can explain why, and the public is entitled to that explanation." But Committee Chairman James Comer (R) Kentucky responded by saying, "We had many questions to ask about the crimes she and Epstein committed, as well as questions about potential co-conspirators. We sincerely want to get to the truth for the American people and justice for survivors." My bet is Trump will grant her clemency now, and pardon her just before he leaves office in three years. He may call it “the art of the deal,” between him and Maxwell, but the victims will likely get nothing.
“Follow the Money” – As I suggested in this column last week, the media seems fixated on the sexual nature of Epstein’s crimes. But the time has long passed to investigate whether any financial misdeeds were committed. I say this because Former British Ambassador to the U.S., Peter Mandelson, was ousted from office for alleged insider trading that helped Epstein financially and hurt the UK economically. Well, now comes word that the Department of Justice is looking at Bill Clinton’s financial ties to Epstein, and not sexual crimes. The New York Times first reported this week that Ghislaine Maxwell arranged one million dollars in funding for the Clinton Global Initiative, with Epstein’s assistance. This was discovered in email exchanges found in the DOJ’s now-released Epstein files. In fairness to the Clintons, this may have been a legal and appropriate business deal. But it does show deeper ties to the Clinton White House than at first blush. And back in the UK, King Charles has given British police the authority to investigate whether his brother, the former Prince Andrew, also provided confidential financial data to Epstein.
“No Indictments for Sedition” – There were two major developments in the case of Sen. Mark Kelly (D) Arizona. He and five other Democrats in Congress were accused by the White House of sedition after they all appeared in a video advising U.S. troops not to obey orders that they knew were illegal. First, in a big defeat for the White House and Pentagon, a federal grand jury declined to file sedition charges against Kelly and the others. And second, a federal judge has temporarily blocked the demotion of Kelly, a retired Navy Captain, and also halted his reduction in retirement pay. Both the pay cut and the demotion were issued on the direct orders of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. U.S. District Judge Richard Leon said that the Pentagon violated Kelly’s First Amendment rights of free speech and “threatened the constitutional liberties of millions of military retirees.” The White House is certain to appeal, and ultimately this may land at the U.S. Supreme Court.
“The Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight” – The most bizarre story of the past week was the bulletin on Wednesday that the airspace surrounding the El Paso, Texas airport would be shut down for ten days. No reason was stated at first, but given its position along the Mexican Border, illegal drugs and immigration threats come to mind. But hours later, the airport and skies were reopened. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy said, “The FAA and DOW acted swiftly to address a cartel drone incursion.” He added, “The threat has been neutralized, and there is no danger to commercial travel in the region. The restrictions have been lifted, and normal flights are resuming.” A laser was used to shoot down the suspected drone, which actually turned out to be a wayward party balloon. El Paso Mayor Renard Johnson was furious, saying at a news conference, “You cannot restrict airspace over a major city without coordinating with the city, the airport, the hospitals, the community leadership. That failure to communicate is unacceptable.”
“National Governors Association RSVP” – The annual National Governors Association visit to the White House has always been a must-cover event for the DC press corps. The governors from all 55 states and territories gather there in a bipartisan fashion, no matter the party of the president. This week’s gathering was almost postponed after the White House suggested it would only entertain Republican governors. Democrats were furious, and a fair number of GOP governors were upset as well. As always, President Trump took to Truth Social to say the story was wrong. Trump said, “I even invited the SLOB of a Governor, JB Pritzker (D) Illinois, and horrendous California Governor, Gavin Newscum, to the Dinner, despite the terrible job that they are doing.” By week’s end, the White House said it had invited all 55 governors. The dinner is on Wednesday, February 18. We’ll have to wait and see who shows up.
“Trump Airport?” – The Florida Legislature is considering a bill to rename Palm Beach International Airport, the Donald J. Trump International Airport. Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home is in Palm Beach County. Critics say it will cost the state $5.5 million dollars just to change signage, stationery, and other items. But both the State House and Senate here are controlled by Republicans, as is the governor’s mansion. My bet is the name will change.