Leaked emails, texts reveal DOJ’s plans to fabricate evidence against Abrego Garcia
ALSO INSIDE: Should the next national protest should be over the Epstein Files?
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Since day one of Trump’s political career, people have desperately attempted to normalize his absurd abuses of power and blatant corruption – and 10 years later, much of corporate media remains a victim of their own attempts to return to a sense of normalcy.
It’s time to stop sane-washing the insanity.
What Happened
The apparent cover-up to hide the names of convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein’s clients by the Trump administration has the potential to spark some of the largest protests against corruption the United States has ever seen — that is, of course, if anyone is inspired to do so (hint hint).
Millions of people have joined nationwide protests every month since President Donald Trump returned to the White House in January. Each rally has had its own theme, but from “Hands off” to “No Kings,” the underlying message was the same: the law should apply to everyone equally.
It’s the same rallying cry that Trump has used time and time again, with great success. Claims of an unfair witch hunt gained him support during his first impeachment, and using his criminal convictions as a warning that, if the law can be weaponized against one person, it can be used against anyone, helped secure his reelection.
Trump betrayed the notion that he cares about the rule of law this week, when his administration closed the door on justice for Epstein’s victims. His supporters have been strung along for years under the belief that he would hold those in power responsible by revealing who Epstein’s clients were and prosecuting them to the fullest extent of the law. Some of the most powerful people in the world were associated with Epstein, and holding them accountable would mean no one is above the law, and the US legal system is not for sale.
Instead, Epstein died mysteriously during Trump’s first term and no identifying information was released. Trump was reelected partially on the promise that he would release the Epstein Files — but instead, he held a phony release ceremony at the White House, his attorney general lied about the existence of any files, had all investigations into Epstein closed, and when asked about the apparent cover-up, told his supporters to get over it.
“President Trump — I just don’t know what to say about him right now,” said conservative provocateur Candace Owens. “There is a level of gaslighting that is taking place that ought to studied.”
While the idea that no one is above the law is something people universally agree on, the definition of what that means has been torn to shreds, with its pieces scattered across the opposite ends of the political spectrum. A 2024 study by the World Justice Project found that 96% of people from both parties consider preserving the rule of law as critical for the future of the US.
“Despite polarization, both Democrats and Republicans still agree on the fundamental principles of the rule of law, and they want to participate in democracy,” said Elizabeth Anderson, executive director for WJP. “It’s imperative that our public officials, media, community leaders, and informed citizens of all stripes work harder than ever to build trust in US election integrity and commitment to the rule of law.”
The two most recent anti-Trump protests held this year have attracted approximately 5 million people, suggesting this could be their attendance ceiling. The number of people attracted to protest based on the issues they’ve chosen to address — immigration enforcement, mass firings of government employees, LGBTQ rights, tax cuts for the rich, defunding of public social programs — has brought out historic numbers, but may have reached critical mass.
But there’s one way that could change: by making the next nationwide protest on July 17 about Epstein.
Hosting rallies to protest the Trump administration's protection of the rich and powerful by refusing to release the Epstein Files could bring millions more to the streets, replacing party division with class solidarity. Frustration among Trump’s base over this is at an all-time high, and building on that momentum with a massive protest featuring a unifying message could help align the anti-Trump protests’ core message with that same value that’s shared by those on the right.
The window to build this alliance is small; Trump’s media allies have already begun throwing out face-saving narratives to see what sticks, and corporate outlets are all too eager to give Epstein the “both-sides” treatment. But organizers from We Fight Back, the 50501 Movement, Hands Off, and No Kings have proven that the momentum is there, and people have shown that they’ll show up when needed, for the right cause.
Attempts to Sanewash
Far-Right Spin
Leaked emails, texts reveal DOJ’s plans to fabricate evidence against Abrego Garcia
A whistleblower on Thursday leaked emails and text messages between government officials as they plotted out lies to tell the courts in order to avoid bringing back those they had wrongfully deported.
The whistleblower, Erez Reuveni, was fired from his position as a deputy director at the Department of Justice (DOJ) after he told a district judge that Abrego Garcia’s deportation was a mistake due to an “administrative error.” The emails corroborate Reuveni’s claims that his boss, Emil Bove, told those working on the case that they would need to “say fuck you to the courts” in order to implement Trump’s immigration enforcement plan.
While preparing for the case, Reuveni sought guidance from his superiors on what claims he could make based on DOJ evidence. He was instructed to tell the judge that Abrego Garcia was a “verified member” of the gang MS-13, and that he wasn’t in any immediate danger while detained at the Salvadoran mega-prison, CECOT, although the DOJ had no evidence to support either claim. Reuveni was also warned not to verbally mention that the deportation was a mistake, as the admission was buried at the bottom of a previous court filing.
“Text messages, email exchanges, and documents show that the Department of Justice misled a federal court and disregarded a court order. Mr. Bove spearheaded this effort, which demanded attorneys violate their ethical duty of candor to the court,” US Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) said in a statement. “This is a declaration of defiance of our courts at the highest level of our government.”
The messages reveal a larger effort within the DOJ to purge its workforce of nonpartisan employees, as well as demands from leadership to prioritize loyalty to Trump above all. The politicization of the agency is best illustrated by Bove’s insistence that, should the courts order them to do something contrary to what Trump wanted, they would need to “say fuck you to the courts.”
Reuveni, a 15-year employee of the DOJ who received three special commendation awards during Trump’s first term, becomes noticeably disillusioned as the correspondence progresses. He’d been promoted to his role as deputy director only weeks before being fired for going against Bove’s orders to lie to the judge and provide an honest assessment of the government’s mishandling of Abrego Garcia’s case.
One month after firing Reuveni, Trump nominated Bove for a lifetime appointment as a federal appeals court judge.
“Erez Reuveni was a career Justice Department attorney who vigorously defended President Trump’s immigration policies during his first Administration,” said Durbin. “These episodes can only lead to one conclusion: Emil Bove belongs nowhere near the federal bench.”
The revelations come as judges in the ongoing cases against Abrego Garcia are set to determine whether he should be released from custody as he awaits trial. Evidence in the leaked messages puts the government's intentions to make bad faith arguments on full display, and delivers a crushing blow to its argument that Abrego Garcia should be deported immediately upon release.
As the dust settles on the undoing of a decade’s worth of diplomatic efforts to prevent war between Iran and Israel, it’s worth looking at who was in the room. This week, let’s take a look at the sort of strategic military minds that have been tapped for Trump’s War Cabinet.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth
Since his appointment in January 2025, Hegseth:
Has an estimated net worth of $3 million, a lower number than expected due to “two divorces and a lifetime of impulsive behavior.”
Became the second cabinet member in history to need the vice president’s vote in order to be confirmed.
Stripped Trump’s political opponents of security clearance and protection.
Changed a military fort’s name back to that of a Confederate traitor, but claimed it was to honor a WWII soldier with the same name.
Brought white supremacist Jack Prosobiec to a NATO meeting about Ukraine.
Discussed military strikes in unsecured group chats.
Role in ‘Operation Midnight Hammer’
Defense Secretary, former Fox News Host, and aspiring recovering alcoholic Pete Hegseth has already proven his dedication to national security and keeping a cool head when he added a journalist to an unsecured Signal chat, where he was discussing a top-secret maneuver with emojis, then yelled at reporters who asked about it during an Easter egg hunt.
There’s no indication that Hegseth had any real influence on the strike. His only known involvement before it took place was on a call between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Hegseth didn’t say anything on the call; he just listened in.
Special Mention: JD Vance
Vice President JD Vance already admitted he didn’t know what was going on. He was also on the call with Trump, Netanyahu, and Hegseth, where he opposed Netanyahu’s wishes that the US bomb Iran. We learned from the leaked Signal chat about the March air strike in Yemen that Vance doesn’t agree with Trump on getting the US military involved in the Middle East, but will only say so behind his back. Vance appeared to be left out of the decision-making after this call, as Trump did the opposite of what Vance advocated for.
NC Doctor: Trump admin’s abortion policy change puts lives at risk
A cloud of confusion settled over hospitals after Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, as it allowed laws criminalizing abortion care to go into effect in a number of states. The Biden administration put a rule in place to provide clarity for healthcare providers that abortion care was still required in emergency situations, regardless of state statutes.
The law, part of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, is still in place, but the Trump administration last month removed the rule Biden established to provide a clear-cut answer for healthcare providers. Jessica Simmons, reporter for COURIER’s Cardinal & Pine in North Carolina, spoke with a local OBGYN about the risks removing this rule creates: without it, doctors are more likely to hesitate in these emergency situations, putting patients’ lives at risk.
“If there’s an emergency situation and an abortion is necessary to stabilize the patient, then that care should be provided,” said Dr. Beverly Gray. “So whenever new guidance comes out, it can create confusion, even in states where there are protections.”
As Simmons writes, states with abortion bans in place, like North Carolina, create a complex legal web that can create a fatal delay in administering care. The law protecting patients and providers is still in place, however, and being aware of patients’ rights to healthcare could be the difference between life and death.
The information Simmons has in her article is universal, so please take a minute to read her story and get a refresher on your healthcare rights.
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Even Ms. Anderson, director of the World Justice Project, doesn't get it.** Republicans in congress believe in rule by Trump, not "rule of law," and they don't "want to participate in democracy" if it means saying no to Trump.
t's up to us, folks, not career politicians, academics or the Supreme Court. See you on the 17th if not before!
** “'Despite polarization, both Democrats and Republicans still agree on the fundamental principles of the rule of law, and they want to participate in democracy,' said Elizabeth Anderson, executive director for WJP."