“Courtrooms: Tariffs, Epstein, Trump and ‘I’m an AG’” — The Sunday Political Brunch
Mark Curtis, MINDSETTER™
“Courtrooms: Tariffs, Epstein, Trump and ‘I’m an AG’” — The Sunday Political Brunch
“A Voice from the Grave Haunts Epstein-Maxwell Scandal” – Sex trafficking victim Virginia Giuffre may have committed suicide back in April, but her story about sex abusers Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell is going to be told. Before her death, Giuffre wrote a memoir detailing years of sexual abuse and trafficking by Maxwell and Epstein. Knoff Publishing has announced that the book “Nobody’s Girl” will be released on October 21. Renown journalist Amy Wallace co-authors it. We already know there are allegations about British Prince Andrew, for which he paid Giuffre’s non-profit an out-of-court settlement. Andrew still denies any wrongdoing. Shortly before her death, Giuffre sent Wallace an email saying, “The content of this book is crucial, as it aims to shed light on the systemic failures that allow the trafficking of vulnerable individuals across borders.” I personally can’t wait to read the book, and hope it serves justice.
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“Harris Secret Service” – In an unprecedented move on Friday, President Donald Trump revoked the Secret Service protection detail for former Vice President Kamala Harris. It has been a long-standing tradition that former presidents and vice presidents, and even extended family members, receive Secret Service protection. Sometimes spouses and children eventually request the removal, since they don’t feel at risk anymore. But for Trump to revoke Harri’s protection without consultation is odd. It comes as Harris is about to embark on a nationwide book tour promoting her campaign memoir. As Trump well knows, all it takes is one crazy person to try to kill you, and that young man who shot Trump in Pennsylvania came very close. Protecting our former leaders has bipartisan support. I hope Trump rethinks this decision.
“Firings at the Fed?” – President Trump began the week by saying he would fire Federal Reserve Board of Governors member Lisa Cook. While a president can fire a board member “for cause,” this is the first time it’s ever been done. The White House states that Cook committed mortgage fraud, which is the reason for her dismissal. In fairness to Cook, no charges have ever been filed against her. Cook issued a statement saying, “President Trump purported to fire me ‘for cause’ when no cause exists under the law, and he has no authority to do so.” She added, “I will not resign.” Cook has hired an attorney and filed a challenge to any dismissal in federal court. Like so many of Trump’s other legal fights, this will likely land in the lap of the U.S. Supreme Court.
“Federal Court Feud” – The second Trump Administration has been sued in the federal courts since almost day one, with the president signing controversial executive orders that may violate the separation of powers between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. Now, a federal judge has tossed out a lawsuit filed by Trump against all 15 federal judges in Maryland. Trump has previously referred to those judges as “rogue,” “unhinged,” and “crooked.” Federal Judge Thomas Cullen said, “Although some tension between the coordinate branches of government is a hallmark of our constitutional system, this concerted effort by the Executive to smear and impugn individual judges who rule against it is both unprecedented and unfortunate,” he wrote. It’s noteworthy because Judge Cullen is a Trump court nominee, who said the president’s lawsuit was “potentially calamitous.” The underlying reason for Trump's lawsuit was another federal judge’s ruling that the Trump administration could not deport potential criminal immigrants if that person challenged their deportation. You can expect appeals.
“Flagging Flag Burning” – In another Trump executive order, which you can bet will be constitutionally challenged, Trump signed an order essentially making the burning of the U.S. flag illegal. This is despite a 1989 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court that burning an American flag in a protest is protected speech. However, the White House states that flag burning is unlawful if it incites other crimes. The statement says there is still room to prosecute flag burning if it “is likely to incite imminent lawless action” or amounts to “fighting words.” President Trump said, “You burn a flag, you get one year in jail. You don’t get 10 years, you don’t get one month,” Trump added, “You get one year in jail, and it goes on your record, and you will see flag burning stopping immediately.” He’s already directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to take the order directly to the U.S. Supreme Court. The ruling back in 1989 was 5-4 at the high court, and this is a much more conservative bench with a 6-3 Republican appointed majority. It will be fascinating to listen to the arguments.
“You’re Fired!” – Some parts of the second Trump term are starting to look like his old TV show, “The Apprentice.” This past week, the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was dismissed. Susan Monarez was fired after being on the job for less than a month. Four other top CDC officials resigned in the wake of her firing, expressing concern about a potential change in vaccination policies. Meanwhile, presidential aide Kerri Lake attempted to fire Michael Abamowitz, the Director of Voice of America. A federal judge intervened to halt the firing. You may recall that earlier this month, President Trump fired IRS Director Billy Long after he had been on the job for only two months. Right now, job security is not a hallmark of this administration.
“On Leave” – Another newsmaker who has had tongues wagging across the nation for weeks is Rhode Island Assistant Attorney General Devon Flanagan Hogan. Her alcohol-fueled rant and arrest at a Newport restaurant were videotaped on a Police body cam. GoLocalProv was the first media outlet to air the story and video. It quickly went viral across the internet, garnering millions of views on YouTube. Flanagan repeatedly told police, “You’re going to regret this,” and tried to use her position to avoid arrest by saying often, “I’m an A.G.” This past Wednesday, she pleaded nolo contendere, or “nolo,” to a trespassing charge. In other words, she’s not disputing or challenging the charge. Attorney General Peter Neronha put her on a six-month unpaid leave. The restaurant owners were quick to create a “mocktail” in her honor, which is known as “I’m an A.G.”
“Tariffs Tanked” – When you talk about court fights, there may be no one bigger right now than the effort by President Donald Trump to impose greater tariffs – in some cases substantially higher – on our trading partners. Late Friday, a federal court of appeals ruled that Trump overstepped his authority by misusing his emergency powers to expand the tariffs. But the judge said the administration can keep collecting the tariffs while the cause moves to the U.S. Supreme Court. It will be interesting to see if the high court rules that Congress should have an equal say in levying tariffs.
“Chicago is My Kind of Town” – As National Guard Troops and federal law enforcement continue to help patrol the streets of Washington, DC, President Trump has his sights on another high-crime city. The president is discussing similar assistance for Chicago. Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) Illinois said, "What President Trump is doing is unprecedented and unwarranted. It is illegal. It is unconstitutional. It is un-American." Trump said, "I'm thinking about you know, when I have some slob like Pritzker criticizing us before we even go there. I made the statement that next year will be Chicago because, as you all know, Chicago's a killing field right now, and they don't acknowledge it. And they say, we don't need him." Here comes another courtroom battle if Trump sends in troops to Chicago.
“DC Update” – The federal deployment in DC has been a mixed bag. On a high note, the district went 12 consecutive days without a homicide, a rare achievement. The city has also seen an 87 percent drop in carjackings. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) District of Columbia told reporters, “We greatly appreciate the surge of officers that enhance what MPD has been able to do in the city.” But Bowser says the presence of National Guard troops and masked ICE agents has had little impact, and they should be taken away. The takeover can only last 30 days, unless Congress extends it.
“Senate Fundraising” – Money has always played a role in politics, and we might see some records broken in the 2026 midterm elections. Former Gov. Roy Cooper (D) North Carolina is now running for the U.S. Senate from the Tar Heel State. Within the first day of his announcement, Cooper raised $3.4 million, which is the highest fundraising kickoff on record, in either party. Cooper is likely to face Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley in this race. Whatley is also very good at raising money, and I am going to predict this will be the most expensive race in the nation in the 2026 election cycle. North Carolina is experiencing rapid growth and ranks as the ninth most populous state. North Carolina also has ten DMAs, or Designated Market Areas, for media coverage, meaning advertising will be expensive. It’s the hottest race out there right now!