IHIP News Podcast Summary

Episode Title: Trump's DOJ Caught Lying About 'No More' Epstein Files, Other Countries Take Action
Hosts: Jennifer Welch & Angie “Pumps” Sullivan
Date: February 17, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, Jennifer Welch and Angie “Pumps” Sullivan dissect the latest developments in the Jeffrey Epstein case and its political fallout, focusing on the Trump administration's connections and the Department of Justice's recent decision to halt the release of Epstein files. The hosts critically compare the U.S. response to sex trafficking with actions taken abroad, lamenting corruption, elite impunity, and the lack of effective political resistance within current Democratic leadership. Throughout, they blend biting commentary, candid frustration, and humor, making a complex and dark topic accessible and provocative.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Disparity in Justice and Elite Protection

• The hosts open by highlighting a persistent double standard in the U.S., especially during the Trump administration, regarding crimes committed by elites versus ordinary citizens.

  • Angie:

    “If this were a cabal of plumbers that had been running this sex trafficking ring... the Department of Justice would take it a lot more seriously…” (00:04)

  • The term "Epstein administration" is coined and echoed as shorthand for the perceived protection elites enjoy. When referencing a congresswoman using this terminology, they agree it's "great messaging" for Democrats to relentlessly associate Trump with Epstein (01:48).

  • Jennifer draws a painful comparison:

    "Within the government, where there should be really high standards, Trump has been able to come in and as a convicted felon, he was voted in. And that is something to me, that everything can go back to that..." (02:06)

2. International Responses vs. U.S. Inaction

• The contrast is drawn sharply between the U.S. and other countries’ responses:

  • Angie lists actions abroad:

    “…the former Prime Minister of Norway, they have filed charges against him for corruption because of the links to Epstein. France has put together an elite unit to investigate people with ties to Epstein.” (04:44)

  • By contrast, the U.S. DOJ, under Pam Bondi, has announced that it will not release more Epstein files—reinforcing the idea of elite protection.

    “Breaking: the DOJ announces they do not plan on releasing any additional Epstein files to the public… there’s one person in jail for all this. Ghislaine Maxwell. That’s it. That’s the list.” (04:44)

3. Pam Bondi’s Role and Moral Rot in MAGA Politics

• The hosts sharply criticize Pam Bondi for overseeing a DOJ that halts transparency and, more viscerally, for her personal actions:

  • Jennifer blasts Bondi for her role:

    “She’s seen videos of little girls getting raped and tortured… and she walked out like an immature, indignant twat to the Oversight Committee… She knows that these men are predators.” (05:49)

  • The "moral rot" of the administration is discussed, including complicity among "MAGA Christians" and wealthy backers.

  • They highlight the missed opportunity for Democrats to hammer the GOP on this moral ground and lament the lack of a unified, energetic opposition within Democratic leadership.

4. Epstein, International Collusion, and Media Silence

• Jennifer discusses Epstein's global dimension:

  “…you can look no further into the Epstein files, and you can see... Jeffrey Epstein, the government of Israel, the government of Russia, and these oligarchs were all colluding and… have a grand master plan, not only to rape children, but also to tear down the world order of democracy and the advancement of marginalized people...” (02:06)

• She ties this to allegations that Epstein was an asset for Israeli intelligence, with information weaponized for leverage.

  • The hosts criticize “Western media” for neglecting Epstein’s alleged Mossad connections. (05:49, 09:22)

  “Something that Western media is failing... is what an integral role Jeffrey Epstein’s compromising information... and that he was a Mossad agent for Israel. And this is wholly ignored and wholly underreported.” (05:49)

  • Jennifer speculates the halt on file releases aligns with Benjamin Netanyahu’s U.S. visit, implying coordination to protect Israeli interests.

5. Disillusionment with Democratic Leadership

• Both hosts repeatedly return to their disappointment in Democratic leaders, particularly Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer, accusing them of prioritizing AIPAC interests over true resistance.

  • Jennifer:

    “…there hasn’t been a unified resistance because of Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer. And they are completely beholden to AIPAC… [Schumer said] his number one job as a senator was to make sure that Israel got every bit of money and support... So how on earth can these people help in our resistance when they are on the same payroll of all of these people that wanted Donald Trump elected and all of these people that are in the Epstein files?” (05:49)

  • She draws the conclusion:

    “Our Democratic leadership is bought and paid for.” (12:07)

6. Republican Hypocrisy, Single-Issue Politics, and Resistance

• The hosts discuss the findings of a New Republic article, arguing the GOP has become “a single issue party” with the issue being “elite impunity.” (12:07)

  • Angie summarizes:

    “You look at the Republican agenda, it’s all about protecting the elites, whether it’s with Epstein or tax breaks or consumer protections, aka regulations.”

  • They argue Republican fiscal hypocrisy and Trump’s open moral depravity have only made matters worse.

  • Jennifer, referencing Ro Khanna, calls for full exposure of “the Epstein class”—regardless of party, nationality, or status. (12:31)

  • She expresses frustration that the Democratic Party has failed to mount a daily, coordinated messaging assault, contrasting this with the effectiveness of the Cuomo COVID briefings.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On elite impunity in Trump’s circles:

  "Over half of high-ranking Trump administration officials have ties in the Epstein files, not to mention that he's mentioned over a million times." – Angie (01:48)

• On cultural rot and predators:

  "[These] elite men fear more than anything are grown women... So they predate on the inverse of that, and they are predators towards these younger women. So they break them, and they're completely broken so that they can't ever come to be fully autonomous women with their agency." – Jennifer (02:06)

• On U.S. vs. global responses:

  “France has put together an elite unit to investigate people with ties to Epstein. And here's what our DOJ is doing: they do not plan on releasing any additional Epstein files to the public.” – Angie (04:44)

• On Bondi and the moral deficit:

  “She walked out like an immature, indignant twat to the Oversight Committee. And she has seen videos. She knows that these men are predators...” – Jennifer (05:49)

• On Democratic leadership's failings:

  “There hasn’t been a unified resistance because of Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer. And they are completely beholden to AIPAC.” – Jennifer (05:49)

• On what Democratic leaders should do:

  “The Democratic leadership is not doing a press conference every single day, every single day, like Andrew Cuomo did during COVID saying, okay, now it’s day this many and Pam Bondi is a pedophile protector, Donald Trump is a pedophile protector every single evening. They could go on offense and they could change this news cycle.” – Jennifer (12:07)

Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:04: Double standards in justice—Trump admin vs. "Epstein class"
• 01:48: Direct connections between Trump officials and Epstein
• 02:06: Cultural rot, deeper international collusion, and targets of predator elites
• 04:44: Global investigations vs. U.S. DOJ’s refusal to act
• 05:49: Pam Bondi, the DOJ, and lack of Democratic resistance
• 09:22: Media silence and the Mossad/Epstein connection
• 12:07: New Republic article: GOP as a party of elite impunity; Democratic failings

Conclusion

Jennifer and Angie deliver a raw, unapologetic critique of both parties’ roles in enabling elite impunity, focusing especially on the Epstein scandal’s tentacles in American political life. They draw strong parallels between media failures, pro-Israel lobbying, and political corruption, and demand that Democrats seize the moral high ground in defense of victims and justice.

Final Call:
The episode concludes with a frustrated demand for real opposition, transparency, and accountability—especially from Democratic leaders—while reminding listeners to support the show for ongoing coverage.