Wertheimer Political Report, November 13, 2025
TRUMPWATCH 2.0
Takeaways from the new Epstein emails mentioning Trump
“The federal government shutdown provided President Donald Trump a weekslong reprieve from major revelations about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.” – CNN
Latest Epstein files knock White House on its heels
“The latest revelations stand to further fracture a party that already splintered once this year over the so-called Epstein files — during a much less politically fraught moment.” – Politico
Kash Patel’s ‘Effin Wild’ Ride as FBI Director
“‘In just one week in October, he ticked off his bosses with premature comments about a terror investigation and squeezed in a trip to the ‘Boondoggle Ranch’ on the bureau jet.” – Wall Street Journal
Justice Dept. Struggled to Find Lawyers to Handle Maurene Comey Suit
“Ms. Comey, the daughter of the former F.B.I. director James B. Comey, sued the Trump administration after she was abruptly fired over the summer, saying the action was retaliation.’” – New York Times
Judge orders release of over 300 ‘Operation Midway Blitz’ detainees
“Judge orders release of over 300 ‘Operation Midway Blitz’ detainees. The Chicago-area federal judge also made clear he wants detailed reports about more than 600 people being held.” – Politico
How Trump Has Exploited Pardons and Clemency to Reward Allies and Supporters
“The beneficiaries of President Donald Trump’s mercy in his second term have mostly been people with access to the president or his inner circle. Those who have followed the rules set out by the Department of Justice, meanwhile, are still waiting.” – ProPublica
Democrats lose shutdown battle — as Trump, Republicans risk losing war
“Democrats are embroiled in a new round of infighting, while Republicans are bracing for longer-term consequences if they continue to oppose an extension of Obamacare subsidies.” – Washington Post
Judge appears skeptical of Lindsey Halligan’s appointment as interim US attorney
“A ruling against Halligan could threaten the cases she brought against James Comey and Letitia James.” – Politico
Fannie Mae Watchdogs Probed How Pulte Obtained Mortgage Records of Key Democrats
“Fannie Mae watchdogs who were removed from their jobs had been probing if Trump appointee Bill Pulte had improperly obtained mortgage records of key Democratic officials, including New York Attorney General Letitia James, according to people familiar with the matter.” – Wall Street Journal
Justice Department struggles as thousands exit — and few are replaced
“Last year, roughly 10,000 attorneys worked across the Justice Department and its components, including the FBI. Justice Connection, an advocacy group that has been tracking departures, estimates that around 5,500 people — not all of them attorneys — have quit the department, been fired or taken a buyout offered by the Trump administration.” – Washington Post
Federal Judge, Warning of ‘Existential Threat’ to Democracy, Resigns
“A federal judge warned of an “existential threat to democracy” in a searing first-person essay published on Sunday, saying he had stepped down from the bench to speak out against President Trump. He accused Mr. Trump of ‘using the law for partisan purposes, targeting his adversaries while sparing his friends and donors from investigation, prosecution, and possible punishment.'” – New York Times
The next shutdown threat is around the corner. Most of the federal government will continue running on autopilot through Jan. 30, setting up another showdown. – Politico
Republicans expecting mass defections on Epstein vote – Politico
Assault Case Against a Democratic House Member Can Proceed, Judge Rules – New York Times
Speaker Mike Johnson announced plans to pursue legislation next week that would repeal a Senate provision in a major spending package that incensed House Republicans and threatened to prolong the partial government shutdown. – Roll Call
Steve Bannon Thinks Zohran Mamdani Is a Genius. It’s Not a Feint. – New York Times
Graham Platner’s online history means he’d lose to Susan Collins, Dem poll warns. The Maine Senate race is all but a must-win for Democrats looking to take back the Senate. – Politico
This rising House Democrat is a voice for the angry middle. – Washington Post
We now have the highest number of Democratic women governors in the history of the United States,” Meehan-Draper, the executive director of the Democratic Governors Association, told NBC News, adding: “That’s almost half the caucus, at this point, of Democratic governors.” – NBC News
