UNBIASED Politics – February 12, 2026

"Redacted Names in Epstein Files REVEALED, Clearing Up Rumors About the SAVE Act, Minneapolis ICE Operation Comes to an End, and More"

Host: Jordan Berman
Date: February 12, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of UNBIASED Politics delves into several significant U.S. political and legal developments. Host Jordan Berman examines the recent revelations from the unredacted Epstein files, unpacks confusion around the SAVE Act and voter eligibility, discusses the end of Minnesota’s ICE enforcement operation, and provides context on an unusual temporary FAA airport shutdown. The episode closes with a critical thinking segment, encouraging listeners to engage with policy details and assess media rumors critically.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Updates on the Epstein Files: Redacted Names Revealed

[03:21 – 13:20]

• Background:
  Lawmakers gained access to previously redacted Epstein files under the Epstein Files Transparency Act. While the Act allowed some redactions—to protect victims, ongoing investigations, etc.—earlier releases raised suspicions due to blacked-out names in certain emails.

• Congressional Review:

  • Representatives Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie, co-authors of the Act, visited DOJ headquarters to examine the unredacted files.
  • Their access was due not to the Act itself, but Congress’s broader oversight authority.

• What They Found:

  • “We learned that 70 to 80% of the files are still redacted. In fact, there were six wealthy, powerful men that the DOJ hid for no apparent reason...now they have revealed the identity of these six powerful men.” — Rep. Ro Khanna [05:20]
  • The six individuals named:
    • Salvatore Nura
    • Zurab Michaladze
    • Leonik Leonov
    • Nicola Caputo (possibly an Italian politician, but not verified)
    • Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem (CEO of Dubai Ports World)
    • Leslie Wexner (billionaire, described as a co-conspirator by FBI though never charged)
  • Notably, the context or roles relating to these individuals remain largely unknown; speculation and limited details exist around some, especially Wexner and Bin Sulayem.

• Quotable Moment:

  • “If we found six men that they were hiding in two hours, imagine how many men they are covering up for in those 3 million files.” — Rep. Ro Khanna [06:22]

• Additional Insights:

  • Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna, speaking to Benny Johnson, discussed disturbing emails involving code words and explicit references—pointing out the complex issue of alleged victims becoming co-conspirators.
    • “There’s evidence of that [victims themselves being groomed into participants].” — Rep. Anna Paulina Luna [09:36]
    • A DOJ official acknowledged: "Those who were originally victims became participants and co-conspirators…We did not redact any names of men, only female victims." — but Jordan points out this is not entirely true, as the newly revealed redactions were of men.
  • The DOJ is expected to submit a full report to Congress detailing all redactions and justifications.

2. El Paso Airport Shutdown – Confusion & Security Concerns

[13:22 – 16:30]

• Synopsis:

  • The FAA abruptly shut down El Paso International Airport, first citing “special security reasons” and planning a 10-day closure, but reopening after only 7 hours.
  • Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated:
    • “The FAA and Dow acted swiftly to address a cartel drone incursion. The threat has been neutralized and there is no danger to commercial travel in the region.” [15:04]
  • Unnamed Trump official told Fox News a cartel drone breached U.S. airspace and was disabled.

• Conflicting Reports:

  • Other officials attribute the closure to uncoordinated testing of high-energy laser tech, used to shoot down both party balloons and a cartel drone.
  • CNN reports the closure was due to the Defense Department accelerating laser system tests, pending further coordination with FAA, which explains why the closure was both sudden and brief.

• Unusual Response:

  • Such shutdowns are not standard procedure, even with frequent incursions—“over a thousand each month” along the border, per 2024’s NORTHCOM commander.

• Legislative Aftermath:

  • Senator Ted Cruz calls for a classified Senate briefing to clarify the circumstances.

3. Operation Metro Surge (Minneapolis ICE Operation) Concludes

[21:10 – 23:45]

• Announcement:

  • Tom Homan, border czar, declares end of the months-long ICE surge operation in Minnesota.
    • “I’m very pleased to report that this surge operation and our work here with state and local officials...have yielded the successful results we have come here for.” — Tom Homan [21:27]
    • A "small footprint" of personnel will remain; shift now focuses on ongoing law enforcement coordination.

• Context:

  • ICE transitions from large-scale operations to closer state/local law enforcement collaboration—mirroring tactics Homan used during the Obama administration, especially for obtaining custody of undocumented immigrants pre-deportation.

• Legislative Funding Tension:

  • Senator Patty Murray says Senate Democrats will block another stopgap DHS funding bill absent substantive ICE reforms.
  • “Potentially DHS funding could cut off tomorrow night…it’s looking like that may happen, but we’ll see.”
  • Jordan clarifies: Even if DHS shuts down, ICE and border operations are ‘essential’ and would continue, with ICE’s $75B allocation from last year.

4. Rumor Has It: SAVE Act & Married Women Voter Rights

[24:01 – 28:59]

• The Rumor:

  • That the SAVE Act would strip married women who changed their names of voting rights.

• What the Bill Actually Does:

  • Originally passed in 2024 as the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act; reintroduced as the Save America Act in 2026.
  • Requires documentary proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote in federal elections—currently, only attestation under penalty of perjury is necessary in many states.

• Impacts on Married Women:

  • The claim is an oversimplification; the law doesn't bar married women or those with name changes from voting.
    • Only becomes relevant if a person cannot produce a passport or real-ID compliant ID and must rely on a regular photo ID plus a birth certificate (which may show a previous last name).
    • In such cases, additional documentation (like a marriage certificate) could be required to match names.
    • The bill leaves process specifics to the states regarding name discrepancies.

• Jordan’s Clarification:

  • “The claim that this bill will ban married women from being able to register to vote...is false. Please don't forget that a woman's right to vote is in the Constitution, which means that for that to ever go away, there would have to be a new constitutional amendment revoking the 19th amendment, which would be virtually impossible.” [28:12]

5. Rumor Has It: Trump & Palm Beach Police Chief (Epstein Case)

[29:01 – 30:40]

• The Rumor:
  • That then-private citizen Donald Trump called the Palm Beach police chief in the 2000s to encourage the Epstein investigation.
• Confirmed Details:
  • Per a former chief’s 2019 FBI interview (recently released), Trump called to say:
    • “Thank goodness you’re stopping him. Everyone has known he’s been doing this.” [29:35]
    • Trump stated he’d barred Epstein from Mar-a-Lago, referenced Maxwell’s involvement, and stressed the importance of the investigation.

6. Critical Thinking Segment

[31:00 – 32:35]

• Key Questions Posed:
  1. Besides married women, who else could the SAVE Act affect?
     (e.g., anyone who changed their name, transgender individuals, immigrants, or those lacking passport/Real ID)
  2. Since the bill leaves procedures to states, what administrative safeguards could minimize voting barriers?
     (Jordan nudges listeners to think about process reforms and documentation solutions)
  3. Media literacy:
     • “When you see a claim about a law...taking away rights, are you more inclined to believe it or express doubt? What factors influence that initial reaction?”
     • Encourages healthy skepticism and checking of factual sources.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• On DOJ Redactions in Epstein Files:
  “There were six wealthy, powerful men that the DOJ hid for no apparent reason.”
  — Rep. Ro Khanna [05:11]

• On Unexplained Airport Closure:
  “The FAA and Dow acted swiftly to address a cartel drone incursion. The threat has been neutralized and there is no danger to commercial travel in the region.”
  — Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy [15:04]

• On Transition of ICE Policy:
  “I have proposed, and President Trump has concurred, that this surge operation conclude.”
  — Tom Homan [21:27]

• On Rumor about Married Women and Voting:
  “That is false. Please don’t forget that a woman’s right to vote is in the Constitution…”
  — Jordan Berman [28:12]

• On Trump’s Involvement in Epstein Case:
  “Donald Trump told Redacted that he threw Epstein out of his club. Trump called the Palm Beach Police Department to tell him, ‘Thank goodness you’re stopping him. Everyone has known he’s been doing this.’”
  — FBI Internal Record, as read by Jordan [29:35]

Structure & Flow

• Administrative and maternity leave updates [02:00 – 03:20]
• Main segment: Epstein Files and newly unredacted names [03:21 – 13:20]
• El Paso Airport shutdown and national security implications [13:22 – 16:30]
• End of Metro Surge ICE operation and shift in immigration enforcement [21:10 – 23:45]
• Clarifying rumors about the SAVE Act and voting rights [24:01 – 28:59]
• Clarifying Trump’s role in the Epstein investigation [29:01 – 30:40]
• Critical thinking prompts and wrap-up [31:00 – 32:35]

Overall Tone

Jordan Berman maintains a steady, explanatory, and strictly factual style, with a gentle sense of humor and encouragement for critical, independent thinking. She draws on her legal background to clarify complex policies, debunks misinformation with clear, direct language, and avoids editorializing.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This summary equips you with a comprehensive understanding of the key news, legal developments, and ongoing debates in U.S. politics for February 12, 2026. Whether your interest is in government transparency, voting policy, immigration enforcement, or the crossroads of rumor and fact in political reporting, this episode keeps you on the pulse—without the spin.