Trump’s Epstein files play is all about control
Stamford, Conn.: President Trump’s sudden reversal on releasing the Epstein files triggered an equally sudden about-face among Republicans in Congress. In a near-unanimous vote, lawmakers approved making the files public despite the fact that, only days earlier, most Republicans had supported keeping them sealed. Some may view this shift as evidence that transparency ultimately prevailed. It did not. Instead, the episode illustrates a deeper erosion within our system of government.
The Founders designed three separate, co-equal branches: the legislative branch to make laws, the judicial branch to interpret them, and the executive branch to enforce them. No branch was meant to control another, and each was expected to operate independently, without fear or favor. That principle was clearly abandoned here.
Once Trump, head of the executive branch, signaled his support for releasing the files, his allies in Congress swiftly complied. Rather than exercising independent judgment, the Republican caucus simply followed the direction of its political leader. In doing so, it effectively surrendered its role as an autonomous legislative body and behaved as though it were taking orders from a king, not participating in a constitutional democracy.
This episode is more than political theater. It is a troubling sign of democratic decay. The checks and balances envisioned by the Founders depend on institutional backbone and separation of powers. What we witnessed instead was a display of weakness, inconsistency and rank hypocrisy. Far from a profile in courage, the congressional reversal revealed how fragile our democratic norms have become — and how quickly they can be cast aside for political convenience. Peter Janoff
Transparent tactic
Orange, Conn.: With the near-unanimous backing of the House of Representatives and Senate in passing a bill to release the Epstein files, it’s interesting that after 10-plus months of denial, Trump now agrees to have the files made public. From the files being “on the desk” of Attorney General Pam Bondi at the start of this administration, to then having them mysteriously disappear, perhaps it took these past months to doctor/cleanse the report to eliminate any negative reference to Trump, allowing him to now take the high road in agreeing to release it. The questionable ethics of this ship of fools leaves much to be desired. A fish rots from the head. This group continues to create ridiculous scenarios as if everyone in this country is ignorant, uneducated or naïve. Gross collusion to protect Trump is not unheard of. Let’s see what comes of this dog and pony show. Fred Portoff
Individual liability
Briarwood: In the U.S., “I was just obeying orders” has never been a valid defense. Mary Elizabeth Ellis
Open up
Bronx: When people are so closed-minded that they refuse to listen to the point of view of the opposition, and take away the opposition’s rights, they do not grow, evolve or become wise. These people “know” deep down that the other is smarter, more popular, and probably would accomplish more than they would, and without having to resort to threats, name-calling, police or arms to take and keep power. Stephen Miller, Elon Musk, Greg Abbott, corporate America, Ron DeSantis, Boeing and other so-called conservatives: Hear the messages of a trampled people via your useful idiot Trump. Change your attitudes before you lose elections and all influence, and perhaps more. Give the taxpaying people you govern their basic due: protections, Social Security, health care, education, shelter and information. Rose Mary Lancaster
Unauthorized alterations
Linden, N.J.: To President Yahoo: You’re not the White House’s landlord, you’re only its temporary tenant. Since when does a building’s temporary tenant have any right to change the building? Ron Jackowski
Over-broadcast
Yonkers: Is it just me or are the local TV channels overdoing the weather reports during the nightly news? Is it really necessary to listen to Janice Huff (my favorite) not once, not twice, but on three separate weather reports for a total of more than eight minutes during a half-hour news report? How much is the weather going to change in a half-hour? Who needs fronts, low-pressure systems, dew points, etc.? Just give me the forecast for the next couple of days so I know what to expect. And can we forego the schtick of blaming the weather person for an inclement forecast? When did they start hiring budding comedians to do the news? Thomas J. Mullen
Critical closer
Manhattan: Re “Close it out” (Nov. 20): If baseball is truly on the rise from both an attendance and ratings perspective (plus the new media rights deal with ESPN and others), then paying Edwin Diaz for the fourth year of an $80 million deal shouldn’t be a sticking point for the Mets. Of all the teams mentioned, I think Toronto will make the strongest play for him. If the Mets lose him, the 2026 season is over before it begins, and fans in Queens will gripe any time a different closer falls short of expectations in the ninth inning. Adam Silbert
Arbitrary advantage
Brooklyn: Re “Expand the gains of NYC’s M/WBE program” (op-ed, Nov. 19): $25 billion in city contracts are awarded this year because the company has designated a minority as the figurehead to qualify, or simply because the company is owned/run by a minority, allowing it to set its own price without any questions asked. This whole system is a scam, and it’s being funded/funneled with taxpayer dollars. $25 billion a year, by the writers’ calculation, and they want more? What about the non-minority-owned entrepreneur who comes in with a better price and a higher-quality product, and the city doesn’t even consider his bid because he’s not a minority? That is just criminal. Jim Carney
Historic opportunity
Manhattan: The historic Cotton Club property, a landmark woven into Harlem’s cultural and musical legacy, is now officially for sale. Now that it has entered the market, it presents a unique opportunity for positive reinvestment, cultural preservation and thoughtful development in one of New York City’s most iconic neighborhoods. Because the Cotton Club holds such deep significance for Harlem and beyond, the future of this property will be an important and inspiring story for the community, especially as stakeholders consider how to honor its legacy while bringing new energy into the area. Tay Tiwoni
Pipe down
Wethersfield, Conn.: Re “Tisch stays on watch” (editorial, Nov. 20): The Editorial Board likes to give its opinion on things and policies it believes the people of New York want, or should want. That includes its endorsements. As a born-and-raised former New Yorker, I’ve lived with some of them, and I say stop! Some have come back to bite the Board, and worse, the people of NYC, especially minorities. I remember the endorsements of Rudolph Giuliani for mayor and how that turned out, especially with the NYPD’s record with minorities and shootings. So stop telling the newly elected Zohran Mamdani to let NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch have all the say when it comes to NYPD affairs and policies. When the Police Benevolent Association stops defending bad cops, then and only then can good cops do their jobs — and with every segment of New York’s communities behind them. Jorge Maldonado
Forces at work
Kew Gardens: Whatever the reasons are for Tisch to stay on as commissioner, I have to conclude that they took precedence over ethnic pride. Moreover, the newly elected mayor received only 33% of the Jewish vote. Am I missing something? Have people forgotten his on-the-record remarks about the police and the Jewish state at large? Even if you choose to put all of the foregoing aside, we are left with the fact that slightly more than half the voting bloc chose a socialist as mayor. As the saying goes, this is one for the books. Phil Serpico
Unsanctioned aspiration
Staten Island: Voting for another loser is exactly what people will be doing should they vote for Councilman Chi Osse, who wants to replace Rep. Hakeem Jeffries. What we don’t need is another socialist in our government. Even Zohran Mamdani says don’t vote for him (“Zoh: Say no to Osse,” Nov. 20). Now that’s saying a lot. Thomas Bell
