So, Which Is It?

By Lorraine Evanoff, January 25, 2026 – 470 Words

There are three bugaboos dogging Republicans right now: The Epstein files, ICE murdering Americans, and the economy. Yet their only strategy is to kick their misinformation machine into a higher gear.

Last week, Trump’s AG Pam Bondi claimed that the administration had no obligation to release the Epstein files under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, because the law provided no enforcement mechanism. One legal expert agreed that the law needs an amendment to specify which court can enforce it. However, Joyce Vance, Norman Eisen and other legal experts argue that the DOJ has been in violation of the EFTA since the December 19, 2025 deadline and that Congress should keep pushing for release of the Epstein files. So, which is it? That remains to be seen. But the Epstein Files are not going away.

In the past two weeks, two U.S. citizens were murdered by ICE in broad daylight, sparking outrage and calls to de-fund the DHS. Just before the second murder, Senators Whitehouse and Murray argued that ICE funding was already included in the Big Billionaire Bill that Republicans passed last July and that passing some appropriations bill is needed to extend funding for FEMA and other emergency services. So, which is it?

Well, in the wake of the second ICE murder, that of Veteran Affairs hospital ICU nurse, Alex Pretti, Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer just declared that the Department of Homeland Security funding bill will be blocked by Democrats and even Sen Patty Murray has confirmed she will not vote for the current funding without drastic changes.

Regarding the affordability crisis, in a dramatic shift, the top 10% of earners now drive almost half of consumer spending, while consumer confidence is at the lowest since 2022. It’s called a K-shaped economy. Meanwhile, Trump botched the Davos World Economic Forum with threats of invading Greenland, driving European countries to begin divesting from U.S. Treasurys as the U.S. looms closer to defaulting on debt.

Biden proved that Keynesian economics, like funding infrastructure and manufacturing, aka bottom-up economics, is the fastest route to economic recovery. Meanwhile, Trump’s “experts” are doubling down on debunked trickle-down economics and tariffs. So, which is it?

Every Republican administration has tanked the economy, and Democrats have repeatedly brought about strong economic recovery. Americans are finally realizing TACO economics is just another distraction.

All these distractions are having the opposite effect Republicans intended, drawing more unwanted attention to the Trump administration’s failures. Handcuffed by Project 2025, instead of working for their voters, Republicans are focused only on protecting their billionaire donors by obstructing the release of the Epstein Files, pushing conservative economic policies, and destroying our Constitutional rights.

So, which is it, Republicans? Will you finally grow a spine, or will you continue down your path to self-destruction?

TIMELINE CLEANSE

Thank you resisters for keeping up the fight when others can’t. We all have our lives and obligations. As a Finance Exec, I have been working on year-end accounting.

Also, poor me, I have a husband who insists on traveling. I’m constantly juggling to find a balance. But believe me, even if I can’t be out in the streets, I’m reading every single article by the amazing contributors here on Substack and writing my weekly analysis. It’s important to me to keep tabs on this chaos.

Anyway, I’m back in Los Angeles and ready to get out on the streets at the first opportunity. My Maui trip ended up expanding my heart and my mind and I’m grateful to have experienced the natural beauty and constant physical activity.

Please be well. Stay warm. Keep fighting but do it within your means. We have each other’s back.

Namaste 🙏🏻💙