Happy Tuesday and welcome back to today’s edition of Common Sense with Ally Sammarco—your daily briefing on U.S. politics. Let’s break it down.
Trump and the Epstein Birthday Book….Among other alarming pages from a 2003 “birthday book” from Jeffrey Epstein’s estate, the House Oversight Committee revealed a sexually suggestive letter and sketch of a naked woman (girl?) signed by Trump. Also included in the book were hundreds of explicit pictures of children and women. Trump claims the letter is “forgery” and is filing a defamation suit in response. Good luck, buddy.
Common Sense takeaway: Trump’s pattern is clear—deny, sue, distract. The signatures (very clearly) match other official letters he has signed throughout his professional life. If “forgery” is the route he wants to go, then he is going to lose.
Trump’s Windsor State Visit Security….Ahead of his upcoming U.K. trip, British authorities are deploying drones over Windsor Castle and restricting airspace to manage protests and secure the event. The Stop Trump Coalition is to stage a mass demonstration in central London on the first day of the trip, with a further protest planned near Windsor Castle. Apparently he’s just as hated in the U.K. as he is in the U.S., if not more.
Common Sense takeaway: When a state visit requires quasi-military operations, it says a lot about the state of America’s place in the world. I don’t think protests would be expected for let’s say, Barack Obama.
ICE Raids and Political Theater…..ICE is conducting “Operation Midway Blitz” in Chicago, targeting hundreds of undocumented people for deportation. Mayor Brandon Johnson said that the city received no notice of the operation. Illinois, Cook County and Chicago all have “sanctuary” laws that bar local law enforcement from assisting or coordinating with federal immigration enforcement operations.
Common Sense takeaway: These raids are less about law enforcement and more about fear-mongering and optics. Also, we’re pretty sure they are illegal.
RFK Jr. gets grilled….The HHS Secretary faced intense scrutiny during a Senate Finance Committee hearing on September 4th. Lawmakers from both parties challenged his management of health agencies, particularly the CDC. Kennedy defended his decisions including the firing of CDC Director Susan Monarez and the entire vaccine advisory committee. He said Monarez asserted that she herself was not a “trustworthy person.” Yeah, okay. Lawmakers weren’t buying it and called his actions dangerous for public health and even demanding he resign.
Common Sense takeaway: RFK Jr. is possibly the most unhealthy looking and sounding person in the country and this congressional hearing did not do him any favors. Protecting public health isn’t a political stunt and no one wants to hear is wacky crap.
That’s it for today. Thanks for reading Common Sense. Check back tomorrow for more.
"Wacky crap" is a perfect summary of RFK Jr.
I would call it the “Midway Media Blitz.” (Of bullshit)