The Fallout from War and More on Epstein - “The Sunday Political Brunch” - March 15, 2026

The Fallout from War and More on Epstein - “The Sunday Political Brunch” - March 15, 2026

The ongoing battles pitting the U.S. and Israel against Iran have certainly sucked most of the oxygen out of the political world. But there are still important updates in the Jeffrey Epstein case. Let’s “brunch” on all that, and more:

 

“Iran War Latest” – The war between the U.S.-Israel versus Iran enters its third week with no let-up. This past Tuesday, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth made a stunning comment. He said, “Today will be yet again our most intense day of strikes inside Iran.” That struck me as odd, as he is essentially telegraphing strategy to the enemy. Iran can prepare and formulate a retaliatory response. On the other hand, maybe he was trying to bait the enemy into a vulnerable mistake. However, in a briefing with Republican lawmakers, President Donald Trump said the war was likely to be a “short excursion,” although later he said on social media that he reserved the right to more sustained attacks. A new Quinnipiac University poll indicates only 40 percent of respondents support the attacks on Iran, with 53 percent opposed. A Fox News poll showed supporters and opponents tied.

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“Meet the New Boss” – Mojtaba Khamenei is the new leader of Iran. The 56-year-old is the son of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the previous leader who was killed in the initial U.S.-Israeli military attacks. He has never held a government office in Iran, but has been considered a very influential “behind the scenes” player in Iranian policies. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said, “We pledge that, in defense of the rights of the great Iranian nation, the advancement of national interests and security, and the realization of the lofty goals of the Islamic Revolution, we shall not falter for a moment.”  President Trump, who had expressed an openness to new dialogues with Iran said the appointment was an “unacceptable choice.” He added, "We want someone who will bring harmony and peace to Iran."

 

“Oil Prices Surge Further” – On Monday, oil prices shot up again near $120 a gallon, before dropping back into the $90 range. On Monday, I paid $3.09 a gallon in South Florida, but the next day I saw many stations at $3.79. AAA says gas prices rose 78 cents in the past month. By midweek, oil again went over $100 a barrel, and the Dow Jones plummeted another 600+ points. The impact of this will be critical in this midterm election year. The biggest factor in this is Iran shutting down the Strait of Hormuz, where 20 percent of the world’s oil passes to international markets. Iran’s new leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, said in a statement, “The lever of closing the Strait of Hormuz must certainly continue to be used as well.”

 

“The Threat at Home” -- There continues to be concerns about retaliatory strikes on U.S. soil. In fact, the FBI released a memo about the potential for attacks on the West Coast. It said, “We recently acquired unverified information that as of early February 2026, Iran allegedly aspired to conduct a surprise attack using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) from an unidentified vessel off the coast of the United States homeland, specifically against unspecified targets in California, in the event the U.S. conducted strikes against Iran." Governor Gavin Newsom (D) California urged caution, saying, “We’ve been aware of that information. ... It’s all about a posture of preparedness for worst-case scenarios.” The FBI memo went on to say, “We have no additional information on the timing, method, target, or perpetrators of this alleged attack.” Meanwhile, a U.S. resident and ISIS supporter, Mohmed Jalloh, was identified as the gunman who shot three ROTC students at Old Dominion University in Virginia, killing one. Jalloh died in the standoff. The FBI also says the attack on a synagogue in Michigan was a “targeted act of violence against the Jewish community.” The gunman there was killed by security guards.

 

“The Politics of Sports” – The world of sports is certainly no stranger to the world of politics. The Iranian soccer team is now caught in the middle. President Trump said on Truth Social, “The Iran National Soccer Team is welcome to the World Cup, but I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety.” The games are being played across North America. FIFA Soccer President Gianni Infantino said he tried to dissuade Trump, “During the discussions, President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is, of course, welcome to compete in the tournament in the United States.” He added, “We all need an event like the FIFA World Cup to bring people together now more than ever.” But Iran’s Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali may have settled the matter, saying, “Considering that this corrupt regime has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup.”

 

“Was Jeffrey Epstein Murdered?” – New information released from the U.S. Department of Justice Epstein files raises renewed concerns that Epstein did not die by suicide, but rather was murdered. A prisoner who was housed in the same wing as Epstein said he heard corrections officers discussing a possible “cover-up” in Epstein’s death. He said this was after a loud disturbance in the area of Epstein’s cell. A guard allegedly said, "If he is dead, we're going to cover it up, and he's going to have an alibi - my officers," according to the report. Once Epstein was pronounced dead, other inmates allegedly said, "Miss Noel killed Jeffrey," according to the report. It turns out a guard by the name of Tova Noel, and another guard, were later punished for falsifying documentation of their work shifts that night. But the report does not specify any falsification involving Epstein, but it is sure to raise questions in Congress. The DOJ’s and New York Medical Examiner’s official position remains that Epstein killed himself.

 

“Bondi Under Protection” – Attorney General Pam Bondi, one of the lightning rods of the second Trump administration, is now living at a secured DC area military base for her protection. Bondi has received threats for the U.S. capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on drug trafficking charges. The New York Times is also reporting that Bondi has received threats over her handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files. Some of Epstein's victims and their family members say Bondi has mishandled the case by failing to redact all victims’ names. Their statement said, “This latest release of Jeffrey Epstein files is being sold as transparency, but what it actually does is expose survivors.” It added, “Once again, survivors are having their names and identifying information exposed, while the men who abused us remain hidden and protected. That is outrageous." While the victims remain angry, no actual threats to Bondi have been linked to them.

 

“Republican Showdown” – Congressional Republicans and President Trump gathered at his Doral, Florida, retreat center this past week to plan a strategy for the 2026 midterm elections. But the president may have “poisoned the well” before talks even got underway. He said he would not sign any new laws into effect this year, until Congress first passes what’s known as the SAVE America Act. That is an election reform bill that would require, among other things, a photo ID card to vote and a ban on voting by mail. Trump said on Truth Social, "It must be done immediately. It supersedes everything else. MUST GO TO THE FRONT OF THE LINE." But Senate Republicans would need at least seven Democrats to vote yes to block a filibuster. Minority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer (D) New York said, "Senate Democrats will not help pass the SAVE Act under any circumstances."

 

“Gonzalez a Goner” – Rep. Tony Gonzalez (R) Texas, is ending his re-election bid. Gonzalez, who is married, had an affair with a married female staffer. When he broke off the affair, the woman committed suicide by setting herself on fire. For a long time, Gonzalez denied the relationship and forged ahead with his re-election. Last week, he finished second in the GOP primary with 42 percent of the vote. Frontrunner Brandon Herrera barely led with 43 percent. Two other challengers split the remaining votes, but since no one received 50 percent, a runoff was scheduled for May 26. Faced with the unseemly prospect that Gonzalez could be re-elected, House leaders in DC finally pressured him to drop out. Gonzalez said in a podcast, “I made a mistake, and I had a lapse in judgment. And there was a lack of faith, and I take full responsibility for those actions.” His term ends in January.