The Briefing with Jen Psaki

Episode: "Loose lips Trump blabs about covert Venezuela mission; appears to be making it up as he goes"
Air Date: December 31, 2025
Host (Tonight): Antonia Hylton (in for Jen Psaki)

Overview

This episode delves into three major, interwoven stories:

• The ongoing battle for the release of Jeffrey Epstein files and allegations of government non-transparency and possible obstruction;
• Former President Trump's public disclosure of a covert U.S. operation in Venezuela, raising profound national security and legal concerns;
• The human impact of renewed, aggressive Trump administration immigration raids, illuminated by local activists and stories of survival and resistance;
• The long journey to justice for survivors of child sexual abuse, paralleled between the Epstein case and a landmark arrest in the church abuse scandal.

The tone is investigative, urgent, and empathetic, with in-depth reporting and first-hand accounts.

1. Epstein Files: Transparency, Obstruction, and Political Intrigue

Main Segment (01:00–14:10)

Key Discussion Points

• DOJ Delay and 'Missing' Files

  • Congress had set a deadline for the DOJ to release all files on Jeffrey Epstein.
  • Only 130,000 pages released so far, but DOJ now claims to have "discovered" over 1 million more related documents, causing widespread skepticism.
  • Antonia Hylton (Host, 01:16):
    "For reporters, lawmakers, survivors, something is not adding up."

• Context & Backstory

  • DOJ had conducted an extensive review of Epstein files, including physical and digital searches, and previously stated all available documents had been accounted for.
  • In 2019, under Trump, flight records for Julie K. Brown (the journalist who broke the Epstein scandal) appeared among Epstein-related files—raising questions of possible surveillance or targeting.

• Political Interference Allegations

  • Reports claim nearly 1,000 FBI employees spent 14,000+ hours redacting Epstein files, particularly Trump’s name (citing Bloomberg).
  • Attorney General Pam Bondi reportedly notified Trump his name was in the files (May 2025).
  • Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene alleges Trump pressured her not to "name names" after she threatened to do so, with Trump saying, "my friends will get hurt" (06:14).
  • The White House dismissed questions as "petty bitterness."

Notable Quotes

• Rep. Suhas Subramaniam, D-VA (Guest, 07:45):
  "I was worried about tampering... They did one release, 97% was public documents already. The other three weren’t very helpful... I think what they’re trying to do is distract from the substance of the documents, to try to bury some of the leads here."

• Rep. Suhas Subramaniam (10:11, on what files remain hidden):
  "I haven’t seen the 60-plus count indictment the DOJ had prepared before the sweetheart deal with Epstein... I haven’t seen the victim interviews where they name names... those are hundreds of pages, not millions. They haven’t released those. They’ve redacted Trump’s name, and others they want to protect."

• Rep. Suhas Subramaniam (12:43, on legal options):
  "Legal action from multiple avenues is on the table... Why would Pam Bondi put herself in a position where she is essentially going to be held in contempt? Why would the DOJ risk flagrantly violating court orders?"

Important Timestamps

• 06:14: Marjorie Taylor Greene recounts Trump’s call: "My friends will get hurt."
• 09:38: Subramaniam discusses lack of communication, missing key documents.
• 12:43: Potential legal action, including contempt charges.

2. Trump’s Covert Venezuela Strike Boast: National Security Alarms

Main Segment (15:52–25:17)

Key Discussion Points

• Trump Reveals Covert Strike:

  • On radio, Trump boasted about a "land strike" on a Venezuelan dock allegedly used for drug shipments:
    "Two nights ago we knocked that out. So we hit them very hard." (16:33)
  • The U.S. government (White House, Pentagon, CIA) refused to confirm details.

• Possible CIA Involvement:

  • Multiple reports suggest the strike was a CIA operation.
  • No congressional briefing or oversight apparent—obscuring both legality and accountability.

• National Security & Legal Experts' Reactions:

  • Margaret Donovan (former army captain, federal prosecutor, 18:51):

    • "None of this is normal... It is not normal for anybody to disclose a covert operation. This is the second time the President has done it."
    • International law (UN Charter) forbids such escalations; domestic legal authority is also questionable.
    • Concerns about lack of targeting protocols, possible targeting of civilians/dual-use facilities.

  • David Rohde (MS NOW senior national security reporter, 20:17):

    • Compares to post-9/11 drone programs, notes absence of congressional authorization or oversight.
    • "This is all very confusing, very unusual, and all very, very hidden at this point."

  • On Legal Process:

    • After-the-fact legal justifications are a significant red flag (24:44).
    • Concerns that CIA Deputy Director Michael Ellis has also made himself general counsel:
      "You have this unusual situation where the deputy director is giving himself legal advice before going into these operations." (23:05)

Notable Quotes

• Trump (16:33):
  "Every time I knock out a boat, we save 25,000 American lives... Two nights ago we knocked that out."

• Margaret Donovan (18:51):
  "This administration isn't too concerned with operational security or keeping classified information classified... I don't think there is any legal authority for military or civilian targeting of those boats with lethal force."

• Margaret Donovan (24:44, on legal justifications):
  "The Office of Legal Counsel memo that supposedly underpins this entire operation... was created on September 5, three days AFTER the first strike... This has been justified after the fact."

Important Timestamps

• 16:33: Trump publicly describes the operation.
• 18:51: Donovan on abnormality and legality.
• 24:44: Discussion of after-the-fact legal justifications.

3. Immigration Raids: Human Impact and Community Resistance

Main Segment (27:12–38:27)

Key Discussion Points

• Widening ICE Raids and Deportations:

  • Despite administration claims, ICE is detaining increasing numbers of people with no criminal records (over 40% in recent months).
  • New warehouse detention centers planned to expand capacity to 80,000 detainees.
  • High-profile cases: Kilmar Abrego Garcia, deported then indicted, and Dulce Consuelo Diaz Morales, a citizen arrested by ICE.

• Grassroots Activism:

  • Cesar Vasquez (18, activist, La Cultura del Mundo, 31:29):
    • Describes a wave of coordinated ICE raids across Central California, with 137 community members taken in four days, including U.S. citizens and minors.
    • Reports intimidation, threats, tire slashing, violence, and racial profiling by ICE and supporting local law enforcement.

• Emotional and Psychological Toll:

  • Cesar Vasquez (34:01):
    "It's hard to take care of myself... In the past four days, I've gotten around 16 hours of sleep... ICE agents know who I am, where I live, what vehicle I drive... threatening me for months."
    • Activates rapid response trainings so "no one has the excuse to say, I didn't know."

• Evolving ICE Tactics:

  • More aggression and violence, including masked agents, flash grenades, and increased racial profiling.
  • Reports of imposters posing as ICE agents to terrorize residents.
  • Video evidence of ICE agents physically abusing detainees.

Notable Quotes

• Cesar Vasquez (31:29):
  "Our community is in pain... our community is afraid... I've had a loved one taken... my goal is to make sure no one can say they didn't know."

• Cesar Vasquez (38:01):
  "They're taunting and saying, 'We're gonna come back for you, we're gonna come back for the rest of your family.'"

Important Timestamps

• 31:29–34:01: Vasquez on the human toll and resistance work.
• 36:18: Vasquez describes the escalation of ICE tactics and violence.

4. Parallels in the Fight for Justice: Epstein Survivors and Church Abuse Cases

Main Segment (38:35–47:09)

Key Discussion Points

• Landmark Church Abuse Arrest:

  • After decades of allegations, Pentecostal preacher Joe Campbell is arrested in Missouri for historic child sexual abuse charges in Oklahoma.
  • Investigation spurred by reporting from the host herself (Antonia Hylton) and NBC News.

• Survivor Voices and the Need for Accountability:

  • Women repeatedly told their stories over decades but were ignored.
  • Oklahoma authorities use an old law to argue the statute of limitations was paused when the accused left the state, making charges possible.

• Interview with Survivor Phaedra Creed:

  • Expresses mixed emotions over the arrest: "it does bring a sense of gravity... we go through a lot of reflection because we need the legal system to actually do its job." (42:31)
  • Frustrated that her own allegations (in Missouri) are unacknowledged.
  • Links personal vindication to broader reform: "Victims need to be heard... we need to know that we are being believed. That's where true justice comes." (43:18)
  • Shares the sense of fellowship and solidarity with Epstein survivors, and details the personal consequences—ostracism, loss of community, bullying.

• Message to Her Younger Self (45:22):

  • "I would probably tell her she was not alone and that she could get through this... Which is exactly why I'm doing what I'm doing now. Because now I have a voice and I'm no longer frightened. And I will be there to tell my truth."

Notable Quotes

• Phaedra Creed (43:18):
  "I'm still very frustrated, especially with Missouri... Victims need to be heard. It's not a matter of victims just coming forward. We need to be heard. We need to know that we are being believed. That's where the true justice comes, in my opinion."

• Phaedra Creed (45:22):
  "If I could go back, I wouldn't have let anyone hold me down. Which is exactly why I'm doing what I'm doing now. Because now I have a voice and I'm no longer frightened."

Important Timestamps

• 42:31: Creed on her emotional response to Campbell's arrest.
• 43:18: Creed on justice and survivor needs.
• 45:22: Creed’s message to her younger self.

Memorable Moments & Themes

• Transparently Obstructed: Bipartisan and survivor frustration at alleged systemic cover-ups and stonewalling, especially regarding the Epstein files.
• Loose Lips, Big Risks: Trump’s casual attitude toward sensitive, classified, potentially illegal operations and the national security/economic/human ramifications.
• Grassroots Defiance: Moving personal testimony from a young activist underscoring the resilience of targeted communities—and their fight for justice and visibility.
• Survivor Solidarity: An emotional throughline as survivors in different contexts express the ongoing need for validation, action, and institutional courage in prioritizing truth over procedure.

Episode Flow and Tone

The program maintains a sharp, investigative tone throughout, interspersed with moments of empathy, especially in survivor and activist interviews. The language and framing reflect a deep skepticism of official versions and a commitment to transparency, accountability, and the amplification of often-marginalized voices.

Key Segments & Timestamps

| Segment | Start | End | Focus | |---------------------------------------------------|---------|---------|-----------------------------------------------------------------| | Epstein Files: Timeline & Allegations | 01:00 | 14:10 | DOJ delays, Trump admin interference, Marjorie Taylor Greene | | Venezuela: Trump's Covert Mission Boast | 15:52 | 25:17 | Trump's disclosure, national security, legal implications | | ICE Raids: Human Toll and Community Resistance | 27:12 | 38:27 | Local activist report, community impact, militarization | | Church Abuse Case: Parallels with Epstein | 38:35 | 47:09 | Arrest, survivor reflections, justice, cultural inertia |

Conclusion

Those who haven’t listened will come away from this episode understanding:

• The complex, high-stakes battle for government transparency around sexual abuse scandals;
• The dangers posed by reckless presidential disclosures of covert military actions;
• The daily reality for communities targeted by aggressive immigration enforcement;
• The long emotional arc of survivors seeking justice and societal change.

Notable closing quote (Phaedra Creed, 46:57):
"We are going to change lives and we're going to change that culture for future victims."