this post was submitted on 30 Jul 2024
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[–] RestrictedAccount 157 points 3 months ago (2 children)

Trump is against releasing the Epstein files?

Weird.

[–] TrickDacy 31 points 3 months ago (5 children)

Hmm. BoTh sIdEs thO. Something something protect Clinton

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[–] ameancow 6 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

There is so much wealth backing up the incentive to never disclose the contents of the known files that someone like Trump can literally just babble about being uncomfortable disclosing the contents in the most guilt-steeped, incriminating way imaginable (as he did) and even face backlash for it by millions, and STILL the news cycle will bury it, nobody will be allowed to question him on it, it will disappear like everything else that could potentially harm the wealthy.

It's wild how many people on the right are still locked into a fantasy world belief about rings of powerful cultists kidnapping children to perform rituals and drain their essences like some kind of Indiana Jones movie... meanwhile they are sending money to the very people who sponsor the world's most elite and expensive child-sex-trafficking operations.

They rather the darkness of the world be packaged into some kind of fantasy-scape Hollywood narrative so that it's easier to dismiss and not actually worry about, something that can be set down and walked away from the way you would a bad movie. This preserves the emotions and assuages the fears and guilt.

[–] [email protected] 50 points 3 months ago (2 children)

too bad biden doesnt have the balls to do it

[–] PP_BOY_ 26 points 3 months ago (10 children)

Honest question, can the POTUS unilaterally declassify something like that?

[–] Tenthrow 47 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (1 children)

Yes. As far as I have read. Also that goes double now that SCOTUS has made almost anything the president does legal.

[–] [email protected] 20 points 3 months ago

Just read it out loud during a state of the union address

[–] [email protected] 37 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Yes they can, it's actually what Trump is trying to insist he did do in the classified documents case, which he did not.

[–] IphtashuFitz 19 points 3 months ago (2 children)

Technically I don’t think they declassify it, but they can release the contents if they so desire.

Back in the 50’s my dad had a security clearance, and at one point worked on a highly classified project that he said about 10 people, including the President, knew the full details of. A few months after my dad’s involvement with the project ended he heard the President talk about it during a state of the union address.

The next day when he got to work there was a memo waiting for him saying that under no circumstances was he to confirm, deny, or even talk about anything he may have heard the President talk about.

The project remained classified for years after that day because it involved national defense. The President spoke about it to let the USSR know what our capabilities were, but not the specifics of how we did it.

[–] Coherence 5 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Now I want to know what project it was

[–] IphtashuFitz 10 points 3 months ago (1 children)

It was the 1950s version of Star Wars. As my dad put it decades after the fact, it was a project to “identify, track, and destroy a hostile satellite”. It was a direct response to Sputnik.

[–] ameancow 2 points 3 months ago

So aliens, got it.

That will be the takeaway for everyone reading this.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 3 months ago

This is an entirely different thing than declassification, though cool for your dad.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 3 months ago (2 children)

apparently, just by thinking about it. yes.

the president can literally do whatever he wants with the only recourse being if congress decides to punish him. he could kill trump tomorrow and as long as the congress leaves him be, its legal as an 'official act'.

[–] StructuredPair 17 points 3 months ago (2 children)

The conservative court would just rule it wasn't an official act and say he could be prosecuted for it. They have no qualms with contradicting themselves for whatever political goal they are seeking to achieve.

[–] takeda 7 points 3 months ago

Well, that's why he would need to "reform" the court first.

It's such fucking ridiculous ruling showing how they destroyed their legitimacy by simply being partisan hacks.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 3 months ago

Hence why the first official act abused in this way would need to get rid of the conservatives on the court. Sure, the remainder will still likely punish, but they also aren't self contradicting jackasses so it works out for the best

[–] sylver_dragon 12 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Assuming this is in reference to Epstein's testimony to the Grand Jury, that was never classified. Those records were sealed under State (Florida) Law. And were also unsealed in July by a special (also State) law. But, to answer the question you are asking "could the President unseal such documents?" No, the President could not. Especially considering that the documents were sealed by State Law, over which the President has zero say. The President could apply political pressure and ask the State nicely to do it. But, the President cannot unilaterally override State Law.

[–] Blue_Morpho 6 points 3 months ago

A State can't deny the federal government access to documents. Once the federal government has the documents, they can do whatever they want with them. They can be sealed to Florida residents and unsealed to DC residents.

But more simply, a Federal Judge can over rule a State Judge.

[–] chiliedogg 6 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

Yes. A President can declassify documents, but there's a process to it.

It's part of the whole debate about the Trump classified docs case. He essentially claimed he secretly declassified them, which is of course stupid and not a thing.

[–] Telodzrum 6 points 3 months ago

The President has plenary authority to declassify any materials.

[–] HowManyNimons 4 points 3 months ago

Dishonest answer: WITH THEIR MINDS

[–] Exusia 2 points 3 months ago

Now that POTUS is a king (kotus?) sure. As long as it's "official"

[–] mkwt 2 points 3 months ago

President can declassify most state secrets. For example, when Trump decided to display a satellite photo to the media, that counted as an on the spot declassification.

The big exception is restricted data, which is technical know how to produce nuclear weapons.

[–] AnyProgressIsGood 1 points 3 months ago

Also are there actual files we don't have info on

[–] [email protected] 7 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Not the time yet. Wait for October.

[–] HowManyNimons 1 points 3 months ago

I'm going to hold you to that.

[–] [email protected] 38 points 3 months ago (1 children)

She should. She won't, but she should.

[–] ameancow 13 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

Nobody ever will. It will implicate people at every station of power in the US and other countries, it will show just how many sick fucks are running our world, it will make a large number of wealthy or famous figures who have ever railed against child abuse or social issues into a potential criminal rapist.

And this is one person, one island, one set of files and documents.

The world is vast, and the several hundreds or thousands of people involved in this case are just a fraction of what really happens all day, every day, both in and out of US culture.

[–] [email protected] 27 points 3 months ago (2 children)

Wait did Kammala actually say she'd do it?

[–] [email protected] 53 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Probably not, a lot of people are projecting stuff on her that she won't ever do.

[–] danc4498 12 points 3 months ago

Wishful thinking. Hopefully the female prosecutor seeks justice against the rich men who abused children.

[–] njm1314 5 points 3 months ago

That's why the title says should

[–] [email protected] 24 points 3 months ago

If I was her I would say that I would. I'd say something like "The Epstein files? Oh yeah, I read them, I will be releasing them so America knows who, and what these sick bastards have done"

[–] [email protected] 17 points 3 months ago (2 children)

Why are the Epstein files classified?

[–] [email protected] 32 points 3 months ago (1 children)

Because it full of billionaires names on it.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 3 months ago
[–] ameancow 14 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago)

Because of ongoing investigations into the people allegedly involved in the cases that may have come to light. It could take many years before the entirety of the files are declassified. (At least the ones we actually have.)

Also, rich people and money. But we're not supposed to say that out loud.

[–] barsquid 6 points 3 months ago

How about Biden should do it.

[–] homesweethomeMrL 3 points 3 months ago (1 children)
[–] HowManyNimons 2 points 3 months ago

Huh? Is it loss?

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