Congressional Representative (6:01)

I want to focus on one victim's allegations that the FBI unquestionably found to be credible. The DOJ tried to hide reports of three of the four interviews that this victim gave to the FBI, but pressure from the media and Congress forced them to disclose them. And now we know why. She credibly accuses the Donald Trump of sexually assaulting her when she was between 13 and 15. In each of her interviews, this victim recited the same account of her interaction with Donald Trump on August 7, 2019. She explained that she was between 13 and 15 when she was left alone with Donald Trump, who, quote, mentioned something to the effect of let me teach you how little girls are supposed to be. Trump unzipped his pants and put her head down.

Investigative Journalist (7:03)

You can read the rest of it yourself. I mean, it's horrific. Horrific. Allegations that he's reading out on the House floor today. There is a briefing for members of Congress with Attorney General Bondi. Congresswoman Yasmin Ansari doesn't have high hopes right now. Today's classified briefing with Attorney General Bondi and deputy Attorney general about the Epstein pilot.

Amazon Music Advertiser (7:24)

So we just found out about this yesterday, and it came about seemingly out of nowhere. I imagine that the attorney General is rightfully worried that she's been subpoenaed by the Oversight Committee so she won't have to appear for us.

Investigative Journalist (7:40)

She's worried. Pam Bondi is worried. Now, in other news, there is more news. Donald Trump is reportedly frustrated over a recent Israeli strike on Iranian natural gas because that has sent Brent crude oil prices surging. Today. Iran has responded by striking Qatari natural gas, LNG and Bahrain natural gas facilities or oil facilities. In addition, we had hearings with Mark Wayne Mullen, Trump's nominee to be the DHS secretary, along with Tulsi Gabbard and John Ratcliffe, the DNI and the CIA director today where they spoke about threats to the homeland. So lots of stuff right now. I spoke with Juliana Stratton, the current Lieutenant Governor of Illinois, who last night really shocked the world and won in a Senate primary. Make sure to, like, comment, share and subscribe. Take A listen to what soon to be Senator Stratton had to say. I'm so excited today to be joined by Lieutenant Governor Julianna Stratton, who just had a huge victory last night. Lieutenant Governor, how does it feel to be the Democratic nominee for Senate in Illinois? How was last night?

Juliana Stratton (8:46)

Well, it's so exciting and last night was great. We had a room packed of so many supporters, a diverse room that was so excited to celebrate with us last night. People who have been on the phones, out canvassing, supporting in any way they could because they believed in our message. And I'm just so incredibly proud of my team and the fact that we knew we had a winning message. We knew that if we could get that message out and, and we knew that if that message was not based on just talking points or trying to tell people what they should care about, but rather listening to voters every single day in every corner of our state and then using that to build our platform that we would be successful. And we just stayed focused no matter what, and we did the job. And I'm just so, so very proud of what we accomplished last night.

Investigative Journalist (9:40)

What does your win mean, I guess, for the broader Democratic Party right now? Because I think a lot of people forget you are up against all odds. Who was spending millions and millions of dollars, PAC money flowing into the state like I think we've never seen before. So what does this mean for the future of the party nationally but also in Illinois?

Juliana Stratton (9:59)

Well, it was a tough race and we did have a lot of outside, I think in the last just couple of weeks of the race, I was the number one target in the country from MAGA aligned crypto super PACs that were coming against me and in support of my opponent. And what I can say is that it's another example that money is not always everything, that you have to have a winning message, you have to bring the authenticity and you have to demonstrate that you're going to be different than the status quo that we see in Washington. It's a broken system that often gets rewarded. And I stood up. I'm someone that has been endorsed by, in Citizens United because of my stance on campaign finance reform, that we need to get corporate PAC money out of politics. We need to end, you know, ban congressional stock trading and we need to end Citizens United and really get back to the place of really focusing on, you know, how do we make sure that it's a message and people doing the work that gets people to. Gets people elected to office. I don't think that anybody that I'VE talked to is thrilled with what's happening in Washington. In fact, I hear more frustration than anything else. And I think they just saw that. This is a time that we need bold new ideas, courageous leadership, and stop thinking that with a president who's not a normal president that we can keep going on with business as usual.

Investigative Journalist (11:30)

Now, a lot of people are going to overlook the general, but should they? I mean, is the race over? Are you, Senator Elect Stratton, today?

Juliana Stratton (11:38)

I am not going to take anything for granted. I am. I was out today meeting voters. I'm going to keep meeting voters every single day, getting out to every corner of our state. Remember, this was a Democratic primary, but I have represented the entire state of Illinois for the last seven years. And I know that there are diverse needs and perspectives from every community. Each community is unique. And it's going to be important for me to get out into every corner of the state, talk to voters directly and let them know why I'm going to be the fighter they deserve. When I get to Washington, I want

Investigative Journalist (12:12)

to ask you about something that made some headlines over the past 48 hours, which was your statement that you would not support Chuck Schumer as Democratic leader. Have you spoken with Schumer since winning last night? Is that still your plan? You will not support him once you're elected?

Juliana Stratton (12:27)

Yes. We've had an opportunity to connect. And as I'm continuing to have phone calls with so many leaders in our party and my position has not changed.

Investigative Journalist (12:38)

Now, I also want to ask you about ICE because I spoke with Governor Pritzker last week and he came out and said that Kristi Noem is gone. But accountability for Kristi Noem isn't going to end your Governor Pritzker's lg. You saw ICE, what was happening on the streets firsthand as well. Do you believe that now that Kristi Noem is no longer DHS secretary, that's it. That's the end. We should move on from it?

Juliana Stratton (13:02)

No, I don't care who it is, whether it's whoever is leading the agency. I just, as I've said, I want to see the agency abolished. I called to abolish ICE because I don't see this agency as being reformed. And as we, you know, think about what we're doing here in Illinois, where we saw firsthand the ongoing terror of Operation Midway Blitz, I've talked to voters. Even though they sort of officially left the city of Chicago, there are still aggressive actions taking place. And I've talked to people very recently in some communities, our immigrant communities, who have said the fear continues to be at peak levels. And and I and it's a trau traumatizing. You know, the trauma really has just continued to linger in so many of our communities. And so, you know, we what the governor was referring to is we've established what's called the Illinois Accountability Commission because this president is not always going to be the president. And so we're connect collecting data. We're collecting videos and narratives and stories, some heartbreaking stories about the way that ICE has really instilled fear in so many of our communities. We need to do better and we need to hold these bad actors accountable. And we will. And here in Illinois, the governor and I are doing our part with this commission to make sure that we're preserving evidence, to make sure that it's available when it's time to hold them accountable. And we will.

Investigative Journalist (14:28)

Now, assuming you get to the Senate next January, what are your top priorities on day one, two and three? What are you looking to accomplish when you get there?

Juliana Stratton (14:37)

Well, I always talk about my campaign platform, which is give the people what they want. I mean, I don't know if it's day one, one, two, three, but I can tell you I'm going to walk in with this platform. We, first of all have to raise wages. And I want to fight for a $25 federal minimum wage and want to do so because people don't deserve just the bare minimum. They should be able to earn a living wage. And I think that that's really important. Everyone keeps talking about the cost of groceries, the cost of gas, the cost of housing. Well, one of the ways that we can help people to afford all of those things and to thrive and take care of their families is by raising wages and making sure people have a little more money in their pockets. We need to pay the people. I think the second thing is health care. That's always going to be something that's a priority for me. I ran for office 10 years ago because of efforts to strip away health care from seniors like my mom. That was happening at the state level in Illinois at a time when I was caring for my mother who had Alzheimer's. And so it's personal to me to think that anyone would strip away health care from our seniors or anyone doesn't have access to a doctor when they need one, because I believe that health care is a right and not a privilege. So I'm going to fight for Medicare for all because I want to see people have access to the care they need. When they need it. And then I think that there's always going to be a real priority for me to make sure that we look at campaign finance reform. And that's something that, as I talked about earlier, is just always going to be at the front forefront. People see a broken system in Washington where, you know, corporate special interests get the red carpet rolled out to them and everyday people get left struggling and left behind. And I know it's not right. And we need to do something different. We need to do something that will really instill confidence in the people that we represent, that it's their needs and interests that's at the forefront and not corporate special interest.

Investigative Journalist (16:37)

Now, before I let you go, one final question on the Epstein files. You're coming into the United States Senate. That is going to be an issue that will still be around because Republicans haven't really done much on it. Can you commit to ensuring that you will do everything in your power as a senator to get justice and accountability for the thousand plus Epstein survivors?

Juliana Stratton (16:55)

Yes, I will do everything within my power. And it's important that we recognize, you know, what we're seeing happening. We're not getting the information that's needed. And certainly Bondi should not be covering up. No Attorney general should be covering up for pedophiles and not making sure that survivors get true justice. And I'm going to fight for that because that's what they deserve.

Investigative Journalist (17:20)

Juliana Stratton, thank you for taking the time.

Juliana Stratton (17:22)

Thanks for having me.

Investigative Journalist (17:24)

Hey folks, thanks so much for watching. Feel free to add this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you watch for the latest breaking news and daily hits throughout the day. Make sure to follow subscribe. See you soon for more.

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