Post Reports – Congress returns to Epstein drama, shutdown threats, 2026 plans
Published: September 5, 2025
Host: Colby Ekowicz
Guests: Naftali Bendavid (Senior National Political Correspondent, The Washington Post), Mariana Sotomayor (House Reporter, The Washington Post)

Overview

This episode of the Politics Roundtable on Post Reports examines the tumultuous return of Congress after the August recess, focusing on renewed tensions over the Jeffrey Epstein case files. The discussion pivots to looming threats of a government shutdown, ongoing legislative dysfunction, and early strategizing for the 2026 midterm elections. Throughout, the episode dissects shifting alliances, political calculations, and critical policy challenges shaping Capitol Hill.

Episode Highlights

1. Congress and the Epstein Files Saga

[02:01–11:52]

• Recap of Pre-Recess Drama:

  • Before the break, President Trump was notably on the defensive as Republican allies and rivals pressed for the release of Epstein case files.
  • “President Trump found himself very much on, I think, the defensive…for really almost the first time since he took office, disagreeing with him and really demanding that the Justice Department release the entire Jeffrey Epstein investigative file.” — Naftali Bendavid [02:32]

• Resumption After the Recess:

  • House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer received files from DOJ during the break, with most new materials heavily redacted or previously public.
  • Republicans and Democrats, including Representative Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), are pushing for a “discharge petition” requiring fuller disclosure.

• Victims Enter the Political Fray:

  • Alleged Epstein survivors joined Massie and Khanna, holding a Capitol Hill press conference and directly appealing to President Trump:
    • “I am no longer weak.” — Anoushka DiGiorgio [06:38]
    • “President Trump, you have so much influence and power in this situation. Please use that influence and power to help us.” — Press conference segment [06:52–06:57]

• Partisan Tensions & Internal GOP Rift:

  • Massie, Khanna, and Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) form an unusual alliance, pushing for transparency against party leadership.
  • Greene and Massie hinted at revealing names from a “victim-compiled Epstein list” on the House floor.

• Political Impact:

  • The furor has overtaken other legislative business, leaving GOP leaders in a bind as the MAGA base and social media fuel the demand for answers.
  • “This has completely overshadowed everything else that they have to do, not just this month, but for the rest of the year.” — Mariana Sotomayor [11:10]

2. Looming Government Shutdown and Dysfunction

[11:52–16:39]

• Shutdown Threat:

  • Congress faces a possible shutdown by September 30; there is little progress on a compromise.
  • House leadership considers a short-term continuing resolution (CR), but right-wing House Freedom Caucus members oppose temporary extensions, preferring substantive spending bills.

• Democratic Calculus:

  • Democrats are wary of negotiating, fearing Trump’s administration could override spending deals or refuse to execute appropriated funds.
  • “Why should we make a deal with Republicans when Trump’s gonna turn around and violate the deal at the drop of a hat?” — Naftali Bendavid [14:10]

• Political Consequences:

  • Historically, voters tend to blame Republicans for government shutdowns, and as the party controlling both Congress and the White House, the pressure mounts.
  • “If the government shuts down on his watch, I think it’s going to be a challenge.” — Naftali Bendavid [15:14]

3. The 2026 Midterms: Early Maneuvering

[17:27–30:08]

• Democratic Strategy Session:

  • Democrats are grappling with depressed voter registration, shifting party IDs, and a lackluster base.
  • House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries focuses on redistricting battles and policy messaging, including affordability, healthcare, and government corruption reforms (e.g., banning stock trading by lawmakers).
  • “The Democratic party actually has a voter registration problem. A lot of previously declared Democrats are now either registering as independents or Republicans.” — Mariana Sotomayor [17:47]

• Redistricting Arms Race:

  • Trump ordered Texas to redraw congressional maps, gaining potential new GOP seats, triggering Democratic counteractions in states like California.

• Midterm Dynamics:

  • Historically, the president’s party loses seats in midterms, which benefits Democrats.
  • “There’s this question…is it enough to just be anti-Trump?…I don’t necessarily think you need a whole lot more than that.” — Naftali Bendavid [20:13]
  • Trump’s efforts to restrict mail-in ballots and redistrict signal nervousness about GOP prospects.

• Key Races and Swing Districts:

  • Focus on swing districts, especially in Pennsylvania and South Texas, where past results have defied straightforward partisan expectations.

• Potential Backfire of Redistricting:

  • Aggressive redrawing could inadvertently create more competitive (“swingy”) districts that don’t guarantee GOP wins.
  • “It could backfire.” — Mariana Sotomayor [25:20]

• Senate Outlook:

  • Democrats face daunting odds to reclaim the Senate majority due to unfavorable math; they must flip four seats, with few viable targets.
  • Gubernatorial and Senate recruitment boosts hope in places like Ohio (Sherrod Brown), North Carolina (Roy Cooper), and Maine (Susan Collins targeted).

4. Crime, Immigration, and Policy Messaging

[27:15–30:08]

• Democratic Messaging Dilemma:

  • Trump’s use of the National Guard in D.C. and threats of interventions in cities like Chicago have put Democrats on the defensive regarding crime and immigration.
  • “The thing that Trump is very good at is putting Democrats in a position of defending the status quo, which is not where they want to be.” — Naftali Bendavid [27:52]
  • Democratic strategists urge lawmakers to “just talk about it”—avoid evasion and proactively address these issues.

• Substance vs. Perceptions:

  • Even as crime and inflation have statistically declined, public sentiment does not always align.
  • “They were right…crime has gone down dramatically in every major city, but it doesn’t really matter because voters often don’t feel that way…. People don’t want to hear, well, it’s better than it was. They want to hear that you share their concerns and you have a plan for making it better.” — Naftali Bendavid [29:30]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “President Trump found himself very much on…the defensive…for really almost the first time since he took office, disagreeing with him and really demanding that the Justice Department release the entire Jeffrey Epstein investigative file.” — Naftali Bendavid [02:32]
• “I am no longer weak.” — Anoushka DiGiorgio, Epstein survivor [06:38]
• “Why should we make a deal with Republicans when Trump’s gonna turn around and violate the deal at the drop of a hat?” — Naftali Bendavid [14:10]
• “The Democratic party actually has a voter registration problem…” — Mariana Sotomayor [17:47]
• “It could backfire.” — Mariana Sotomayor on redistricting [25:20]
• “People don’t want to hear, well, it’s better than it was. They want to hear that you share their concerns and you have a plan for making it better.” — Naftali Bendavid [29:30]

Key Timestamps

• 02:01 – Return from recess and Epstein files drama resumes
• 03:26 – House Oversight receives and releases heavily redacted files
• 06:38 – Epstein survivors speak at a Capitol Hill press conference
• 09:43 – Pressure mounts from right-wing activists and MAGA base
• 11:52 – Government shutdown threats and the politics of funding
• 14:10 – Democratic doubts about bipartisan deals under Trump
• 17:27 – 2026 midterms planning: Democratic voter and policy challenges
• 21:11 – Redistricting battles and Trump’s strategy
• 25:20 – Risks of redistricting potentially backfiring for the GOP
• 27:15 – Crime, immigration, and the challenge of effective messaging

Tone & Closing Thoughts

The conversation is frank, analytical, and occasionally laced with dry newsroom humor and political skepticism. The episode unpacks how overlapping scandals, internal divisions, and electoral anxieties drive the current Congressional chaos, while forecasting the headwinds and infighting already shaping the high-stakes 2026 campaign cycle. The final segment underscores the growing complexity of political messaging as public perception and statistical realities diverge, especially on crime and immigration.

For listeners, this episode offers an incisive, behind-the-scenes look at Congress’ challenges and strategic calculations as Washington’s autumn storm clouds gather.