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Trump's Epstein Reversal, Flight Restrictions Lifted & 50-Year Mortgages? - Monday, November 17, 2025
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Today is Monday, November 17th. What to know about President Trump's new stance on the so called Epstein files and why he wants only some people mentioned in them to be investigated. Also, what's reportedly getting less attention at Homeland Security as the immigration crackdown takes priority. Plus which products will no longer be subject to tariffs, why air travelers might not have to deal with as many delays this week and how people are reacting to an idea for a 50 year mortgage. Those stories and even more news to know coming up. Welcome. Welcome to the Newsworthy. All the day's news in around 10 minutes. Fast, fair, fun and on the go. I'm Erica. Mandy, thanks so much for being here. You ready? Let's do this. President Trump is changing his tune about the so called Epstein files. Now he says House Republicans should vote to make them all public. Already, Democrats and some Republicans have been pushing a measure to pressure the Justice Department to do just that, release more documents from Epstein's sex trafficking case, as well as any information about Epstein's death in federal prison. Lawmakers have been expecting the measure to pass the House this week, even though for months now President Trump has pushed back against those efforts. But now Trump says we have nothing to hide. It comes after just last week, the president's name was included in records that came out, including emails from Epstein, who who wrote Trump, quote, knew about the girls. In fact, a Wall Street Journal analysis found Trump was mentioned in more than 1,600 of the 2,300 email threads shared last week. That said the president has never been accused of a crime related to Epstein. And it's worth noting Epstein had many prominent acquaintances in political and celebrity circles, not just Trump. So the Justice Department is now at the president's direction investigating Epstein's ties to a list of prominent Democrats, including former President Bill Clinton. But the list does not include Trump. As Trump put it on social media, quote, epstein was a Democrat and he is the Democrat's problem. Attorney General Pam Bondi agreed to take on the new investigation. To be continued, President Trump has issued new pardons for people who stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021. For example, he again pardoned a militia member, but this time for separate gun charges out of Kentucky, since Trump says the guns were only found because of a search done in response to January 6th. Trump also granted another pardon to a woman who was seen on a social media video threatening to shoot FBI agents coming to question her about January 6th. White House officials explained these latest pardons by saying they're in an effort to end the so called weaponization of the Justice Department, they say happened under former President Biden. As we've told you, Trump already issued more than a thousand pardons and commutations of those involved in the January 6 riot and now says he's very proud of that, calling the sentences ridiculous and excessive. With the Homeland Security Department focused on an immigration crackdown, other priorities are reportedly getting sidelined. The New York Times did a new investigation that found DHS has diverted thousands of federal agents, including highly trained specialists, from their normal duties so they can focus on arresting undocumented immigrants. The Times says because of that, federal efforts to combat sex crimes against children, sex trafficking, and human smuggling have stalled. Another investigation that's apparently slowed for months was looking into the black market for Iranian oil that's apparently sold to finance terrorism. The Times says its investigation is based on internal documents from dhs, as well as interviews with dozens of officials from the current administration. In response, the White House says President Trump's focus on immigration is all about protecting public safety and national security. So other priorities are still getting addressed by deporting undocumented immigrants. Hundreds of thousands of people have been deported so far this year, though the Times reports only 8% of the undocumented immigrants arrested so far have been convicted of a violent crime. Over the next few years, more than half of the Homeland Security Department's yearly budget is expected to go toward immigration enforcement. ICE's budget alone is expected to nearly triple, making it the nation's highest funded law enforcement agency. The immigration crackdown has also pulled in thousands of agents from the FBI, dea, atf, and at least four other federal law enforcement agencies. As expected, US Immigration agents have started targeting Charlotte, North Carolina. During the first day of the stepped up, enforcement, authorities arrested 81 people. Many local leaders have criticized the actions as an overreach of federal power, and protesters have been filling city streets, much like they've done in other targeted cities like Los Angeles and Chicago. But again, the Trump administration says it's just about keeping Americans safe. Next, the Trump administration is reportedly looking at New Orleans. By the way, remember how hundreds of National Guard soldiers from Texas and California were sent to Chicago and Portland, Oregon. They went in response to protests over the immigration crackdown and were told to protect federal personnel and property, while federal judges blocked them from ever actually being deployed on the streets of Chicago and Portland. And now the Pentagon says the troops are returning to their home states. In what seems to be an effort to lower food prices. Dozens of products are now exempt from President Trump's sweeping tariffs. For example, coffee, bananas, avocados, tomatoes, nuts and beef. The Trump administration now says the tariffs are being lifted since not enough of them can be produced here in the US but that doesn't necessarily mean people will notice an immediate drop in their grocery bill. There are still cost pressures from other factors like labor shortages and climate risks. Meanwhile, the US Supreme Court is still considering whether these tariffs are legal at all. A decision is expected sometime before next summer. We have more news for you still ahead. But first, this episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. It gets dark so early right now in those darker evenings. Plus all the things that can come up for people during the holiday season. It's important for all of us to check on each other this time of year. Send that text to someone you've been thinking about but haven't talked to in a while. Every time I think of someone or wonder how they're doing, and then actually text or call them, I always ask myself why I didn't do this sooner. And and that's often how it can feel after you go to therapy, too. So yes, reconnect with those around you and you don't have to wait for someone else if you could use a little extra support too. Reach out betterhelp therapists work according to a strict code of conduct and are fully licensed in the US and they make it easier to begin by doing the initial matching work for you. Though you can always switch therapists if you need anytime this month, don't wait to reach out. Whether you're checking in on a friend or reaching out to a therapist yourself, BetterHelp makes it easier to take that first step. Our listeners get 10% off their first month at betterhelp.com newsworthy that's betterhelp H-E-L-P.com newsworthy now back to the news. Airlines can get back to their regular flight schedules starting today. The FAA lifted all restrictions on commercial flights that were imposed during the government shutdown. Remember, those restrictions caused mass cancellations and delays at airports, but but they were meant to address air traffic controller fatigue and staffing issues at major airports. Well, since the government shutdown ended last week, the FAA says the staffing levels have stabilized, so the cutbacks are no longer needed. You can listen to our latest special edition Saturday to hear more about how air travel is recovering and to get some advice for avoiding the headaches this holiday season. That episode came out this weekend and should show up right below this episode in your podcast feed. The proposal to give airline passengers extra cash for flight delays has been scrapped. The biden administration came up with the idea that would have forced airlines to give passengers cash reimbursements of up to nearly $800. Plus it would have required they pay for amenities like food, lodging and transportation after significant delays. Well, now the Transportation Department under President Trump says it does not have the power to impose that rule. It also points out that enforcing the rule would cost airlines a lot of money when they already have their own incentives to reimburse passengers anyway. So airlines will now continue to follow their own policies when it comes to delays. Another day, another multi billion dollar push into artificial intelligence. This time It's Google investing $40 billion to build three new data centers in Texas. Plus it says it will keep investing in current campuses. Of course, OpenAI, Anthropic, Microsoft, Meta and Amazon have already announced plans to spend billions on new AI focused data centers. Some people have raised concerns about all these new data centers consuming enormous amounts of water and electricity, depleting resources and raising utility rates. But in Texas, the governor is on board saying Google is supporting energy efficiency and providing good jobs to Texans. Either way, Google plans to move forward with this investment over the next couple of years. If you have YouTube TV, you can finally watch ESPN, ABC, Disney Channel, National Geographic and more. The Disney owned channels were reinstated on YouTube TV over the weekend since the two companies reached a distribution deal. This comes after a two week blackout that cut off major sports and news programming to more than 8 million YouTube TV subscribers, and surveys showed customers were overwhelmingly willing to cancel their YouTube TV subscription unless the blackout resolved. The main sticking point between the two companies was the rate Disney charges YouTube TV for its networks. The exact financial terms of the new deal were not disclosed, but it does give Disney a Strong presence on YouTube TV as well as the main YouTube app and YouTube TV subscribers will get the recently launched ESPN Unlimited streaming service at no extra cost. The Disney and Hulu bundle will also be included in some of YouTube's offerings. This weekend. The most popular movie in theaters was the latest installment in a franchise about magicians. We're talking about now youw See Me, now youw Don't. It made more than $21 million over the weekend. Analysts say a lot of the credit goes to the advertising campaign, which included fan like edits posted to social media. Coming in second place at the box office was another adaptation of the Stephen King novel the Running Man. The last adaptation starred Arnold Schwarzenegger. This one stars Glen Powell. This is all considered a warm up for what's expected to be a bigger box office boost come Thanksgiving. The second part of the Wicked movie is coming out this Friday. Then Disney's Zootopia 2 opens on Thanksgiving weekend. Later this year there will also be a new avatar, a new anaconda, and more. Well, that's it for the main news. So now it's time for Money Monday when we talk about one interesting Money related news story. But first I want to tell you about our sponsor. As a parent, I'm always trying to make sure my 4 year old is getting what he needs. But let's be honest, most kids go through phases where vegetables and balanced meals aren't exactly the priority and typical children's vitamins, they basically seem like candy in disguise. That's why I'm grateful we found Haya. My son takes both the daily vitamin and the probiotic every day and he actually gets excited about them. Haya is formulated with the help of pediatricians and nutritional experts and it's pressed with a blend of 12 organic fruits and veggies plus 15 essential vitamins and mineral and every batch is third party tested. Also, if you're tired of battling with your kids to eat their greens, Haiya now has Kids Daily Greens plus Superfoods, a chocolate flavored greens powder designed specifically for kids, packed with over 55 whole food ingredients to support brain power development and digestion. Just scoop, shake and sip with milk or any non dairy beverage for a delicious and nutritious boost your kids will actually enjoy. And we've worked out a special deal with Haya for their best selling children's vitamin. Receive 50% off your first order. To claim this deal you must go to Hiyahealth.com Newsletter. Newsworthy this deal is not available on their regular website, so go to H I y a h E-A-L-T-Com newsworthy and get your kids the full body nourishment they need to grow into healthy adults. Now back to Money Monday. President Trump says he's now laser focused on revitalizing the American Dream, homeownership and all. So as a way to encourage young people to buy real estate, he's suggesting a new 50 year mortgage plan. Basically, that means lowering the monthly payment and principal needed to buy a house, stretching payments longer into the future for less each month. The CEO of Open Door called it probably the most pro homeowner government policy of the last two decades. But of course people would end up paying more for the total length of their mortgage, and critics note that buyers would build equity more slowly because a bigger share of early payments goes to interest not paying down the home itself. It could also mean many Americans get into debt for their entire lives and pass that debt onto their children. Some also say there are other core problems of the housing market to address, like a supply shortage and high interest rates. Either way, the numbers show buying a home is not easy. Data from the national association of Realtors shows the average first time homebuyer was 28 back in 1991 and 38 last year. And Redfin says the income required to make median mortgage payments in the U.S. is much higher than median household earnings in the U.S. the U.S. director of Federal Housing says a 50 year mortgage is just one solution out of many in development right now meant to help make buying homes more affordable, especially for younger adults. But it's not actually available for now. Well, thank you so much for joining us today. Thank you to those who have been sharing the Newsworthy with friends or online. And thanks to our wonderful Newsworthy Insiders for all of your support. If you're not an insider yet, you can get ad Free episodes when you become one. Start your free trial at thenewsworthy.com Insider and Wondery plus subscribers can listen to episodes of the Newsworthy ad free in the Wondery app until the end of the year. We'll be back with even more news to know tomorrow. For now, have a great day.