Mike Johnson (2:54)

And that you will well and faithfully.

Jane Costen (2:56)

Discharge the duties of the office on which you are about to enter, so help you God?

Haley Fuchsia (3:00)

I do.

Jane Costen (3:01)

Congratulations. You're now a member of 119th Congress. After acknowledging two alleged survivors of Epstein's abuse who were present during her swearing in, Representative Grijalva had one more piece of business to attend to on her first day on the job. That's what the American people expect us.

Adelita Grijalva (3:18)

To do, fight for them. That is why I will sign the discharge petition right now to release the Epstein files.

Jane Costen (3:34)

With Representative Grijalva on board, the discharge petition to force the Department of Justice to release more documents on Epstein now has 218 signatures. By law, that means the beginning of the countdown to a vote that Speaker Johnson told reporters he will bring to the floor next week. The petition includes numerous signatures from Republicans like Colorado Representative Lauren Boebert, who did so despite a phone call from Trump on Tuesday morning and despite being summoned to the White House on Wednesday to meet with Trump administration officials, including Attorney General Pam Bondi, a clear effort to get Boebert to remove her name from the petition. Here's White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt attempting to make that sound like a totally cool thing to do in transparency.

Caroline Levitt (4:15)

Caroline, why are White House officials then meeting with Representative Boebert in an effort to try and get her to not sign this petition calling for the release of the files?

Adelita Grijalva (4:24)

Doesn't it show transparency that members of the Trump administration are willing to brief members of Congress whenever they please? Doesn't that show our level of transparency? Doesn't that show the level of transparency when we are willing to sit down with members of Congress and address their concerns? That is, that's a defining factor of transparency, having discussions with members of Congress about various issues. And I'm not going to detail conversations that took place in the Situation Room, in the press briefing room, the Situation.

Jane Costen (4:53)

Room, a secure command center in the West Wing of the White House where you have totally above board, transparent conversations with members of Congress about totally normal things. So for more on Epstein, Trump and what Congress might do next, I spoke to Haley Fuchsia. She's a reporter at Politico. Haley, welcome to what a day.

Haley Fuchsia (5:11)

Thanks for having me.

Jane Costen (5:12)

On Wednesday, House Democrats on the Oversight Committee released three emails from or to Jeffrey Epstein that include mentions of President Donald Trump. What are the most notable details in those messages.

Haley Fuchsia (5:24)

So those emails are pretty explosive. It's clear that Jeffrey Epstein was keeping tabs on Trump. Trump's name is mentioned throughout these thousands of documents that were released, but it seems notable that Jeffrey Epstein is claiming that Trump knew about what he was.

Jane Costen (5:39)

Doing to that point. House Republicans released 20,000 additional pages of documents provided by Jeffrey Epstein's estate on Wednesday. I know that there are reporters combing through them pretty much as we speak, but is it clear yet whether there's anything significant in those pages besides, wow. A lot of people who should have known better spent a lot of time emailing Jeffrey Epstein.

Haley Fuchsia (6:01)

I think in those files, we see there was this just web of powerful people who were communicating with Epstein even long after the plea deal where he became a convicted sex offender.

Jane Costen (6:12)

Republicans revealed that Virginia Giuffre is the victim, whose name was redacted by Democrats in Epstein's email to Ghislaine Maxwell from 2011. In that email, Epstein said that Giuffre's quote, spent hours at my house with Trump. Virginia Giuffre died by suicide earlier this year, but she didn't accuse Trump of any misconduct while she was alive. Right? Yeah.

Haley Fuchsia (6:34)

And it's important to note that Trump hasn't been accused of taking part in the trafficking scheme. He hasn't been accused of, you know, wrongdoing here. But certainly it's notable that he maintained this. This connection to Jeffrey Epstein.

Jane Costen (6:47)

What has been the response from the White House?

Haley Fuchsia (6:50)

The White House has claimed that Democrats were selectively releasing materials. That's sort of been the Republican talking point. And Democrats, you know, to their point, did release only a select number of materials that were damaging to Trump. But even in the kind of more materials that we're looking through. Right. Right now, Trump is named quite frequently in Jeffrey Epstein's emails.

Jane Costen (7:14)

The House of Representatives has returned, and Representative Adelita Grijalva of Arizona was finally sworn in on Wednesday. Right after her swearing in, she added her name as the 218th signature on the House petition to force a vote on the full release of the Epstein fil. What happens now?

Haley Fuchsia (7:30)

So now the countdown will begin for Speaker Mike Johnson to schedule a vote on the bill that would force the Justice Department to release the Epstein files in 30 days. It's likely that this bill will pass the House, but Senate GOP leadership hasn't said they would put that bill up for a vote. And in order for it to become law, in order for it to actually force the Justice Department to do something, it would need to pass the Senate, and then Trump would need to sign it into law.

Jane Costen (7:55)

Yeah, it's interesting to me, because the Senate is under Republican control. It would need to be signed by Trump, who is not going to sign it. I think I can say that for certain. But it is interesting to me that the White House and Donald Trump appear to have worked really hard to try to peel off GOP support from that petition in recent months. The White House confirmed that Trump spoke to Colorado Representative Lauren Boebert about signing the discharge petition. She has said she will still sign it. Has anyone else on that list received a call that we know of right now?

Haley Fuchsia (8:27)

It seems that all the Republican members are staying true to what they said and they're staying on the petition. But to your point, we know that the White House has been, you know, for a while now, engaging in a campaign to try and get them to remove their names.

Jane Costen (8:40)

So I want to ask just a little bit about the backstory here. Like, how did we get to this point where. With the Epstein files, with the doj, how did this discharge petition come to be?

Haley Fuchsia (8:53)

So, back in July, the DOJ quietly released a memo saying that they were not going to release more information in the Epstein case. This caused a lot of chaos online where people were saying Trump and his allies promised to be transparent about the case against Jeffrey Epstein, and now they were reneging on that promise. And so after that, we saw this kind of big firestorm of attention around how Republicans were treating this case, and it led us to a point where a congressional committee ultimately subpoenaed the Justice Department for materials around the Jeffrey Epstein case.

Jane Costen (9:30)

So what's the relationship between the Department of Justice and this discharge petition?

Haley Fuchsia (9:36)

So the discharge petition basically is a congressional procedural move that would force a vote in the House on a bill that would compel the Justice Department to release the Epstein files. Basically, it's fancy congressional talk for just a bill that would effectively force DOJ to release information. And what we're seeing now is that DOJ is being slow to kind of actually turn over information to Congress. And there's hope among the petition supporters that this bill might actually force them to move quickly.

Jane Costen (10:10)

And I think it's been interesting. Not interesting in a good way, but it has been interesting to observe how during the 2024 presidential campaign, Trump didn't talk very much about Epstein. But a lot of other Republicans who now have kind of high places in the administration, from Cash Patel to Vice President J.D. vance, all talked about wanting to release the Epstein files, wanting to do this. Has there been any comment from any of those people. As we start to see more information, as this discharge petition starts to interesting that we went from we absolutely have to get these files released to actually, no, we're all good. We don't need any more information.

Haley Fuchsia (10:49)

I think there was maybe a lack of foresight that it would become this political issue for Trump, but certainly we've watched a lot of Republicans in the administration struggle to kind of deal with the now criticism of them because they kind of have turned their back on being public about the material in this case.

Jane Costen (11:09)

And Republicans in the White House have said that Democrats didn't do anything to push the DOJ to release these files under Joe Biden. How accurate is that claim?

Haley Fuchsia (11:17)

I think there's some validity that this was not a major political issue under Joe Biden. It certainly became a big firestorm in 2025 after the Trump administration released this memo saying they weren't going to release information on the Epstein case. And in part it's become this big issue because Democrats have sought to stoke division among the President's base. But by pointing to what they're doing.

Jane Costen (11:38)

On the Epstein case other than the House vote, what will you be watching for next when it comes to Congress and the Epstein files?

Haley Fuchsia (11:46)

I think this could put more pressure on the Justice Department to continue turning over information to congressional investigators around the Epstein case. Quite a few months ago, the House Oversight Panel subpoenaed the Justice Department for records in the Epstein case, but the Justice Department has been quite slow in actually turning those over. And so as this continues to be a major political issue for Trump and for the gop, it might push the Justice Department to act more quickly.

Jane Costen (12:11)

Hailey, thank you so much for joining me.

Haley Fuchsia (12:14)

Thanks for having me.

Jane Costen (12:15)

That was my conversation with political reporter Hayley Fuchs. We'll link to her work in the show notes. We'll get to more of the news in a moment, but if you like the show, make sure to subscribe. Leave a five star review on Apple Podcasts. Watch us on YouTube and share with your friends. More to come after some ads what a day is Brought to you by Lola Blankets My Lola blanket is a key part of my evening wind down ritual. It makes me feel ready for rest and relaxation even when I've had a busy day covering all of this. Lola is the world's number one blanket. Crafted with ultra soft luxury vegan faux fur and a signature four way stretch that sets it apart. It's machine washable, double hemmed for durability and stays flawless. No pilling, no shedding. Even after repeated washes. It's the kind of quality you can feel the moment you touch it. And during the holidays, it's the kind of gift that feels extra special because you know it will last for years. Lola has over 10,000 five star reviews. And once you feel it, you'll know why. There's a reason it's called the world's number one blanket. This thing is actually next level. I have the large, which means it's perfect for cozying up solo or with someone else. Lola also makes weighted blankets for calming therapeutic vibes. And don't miss the matching pillows. They look amazing and you save when bundling. Give the gift of softness this holiday season with Lola Blankets. For a limited time, our listeners are getting a huge 40% off their entire order at lolablankets.com by using code WAD at checkout. Head to lolablankets.com and use code WOD for 40% off. After you purchase, they will ask you where you heard about them. Please support our show and tell them we sent you.

Caroline Levitt (13:59)

Outdated systems and inefficient communications are bad news for your supply chain. But with Verizon Business, everything just clicks. With our advanced connectivity solutions, you can automate your operations. Plus you can keep your teams connected and on top of the job, helping you stay ahead of demand and the competition. It's the chain reaction your distribution needs. Learn more@verizon.com distribution.

Chevy Equinox Advertiser (14:30)

The 2026 Chevy Equinox is more than an SUV. It's your Sunday tailgate and your parking lot, snack bar. Your lucky jersey, your chairs and your big cooler fit perfectly in your even bigger cargo space. And when it's go time, your 11.3-inch diagonal touchscreen's got the playbook, the playlist and the tech to stay a step ahead. It's more than an suv. It's your Equinox Chevrolet. Together, let's drive.

Jane Costen (15:00)

Here's what else we're following today.

Caroline Levitt (15:02)

Head of lines.

Scott Bessant (15:06)

You're going to see substantial announcements over the next couple of days in terms of things we don't grow here in the United States. You know, coffee, coffee being one of them, bananas, other fruits, things like that. So that that will bring the prices down very quickly.

Jane Costen (15:25)

Well, we're waiting. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant is really doing his Besant to put a positive spin on President Trump's bad economic policies. And by spin, I mean damage control, as Trump's tariffs have hit American grocery stores, specifically coffee prices. According to Consumer Price Index data, the price of roasted coffee increased nearly 19% in September from a year ago. Analysts say factors include weather conditions and tariffs. Bessant spoke with Fox News on Wednesday about all things inflation, wages and tax relief, mentioning another one of Trump's ideas to stimulate the economy.

Scott Bessant (16:01)

Well, there are a lot of options here. The president's talking about a $2,000 rebate, and that would be for families making less than, say, $100,000.

Jane Costen (16:14)

Have you decided on that yet?

Scott Bessant (16:16)

We haven't. We haven't. It's in discussion.

Jane Costen (16:19)

I guess we'll have to wait and see on that, too. They'll probably have a plan in two weeks. Bessant also said the American people are going to start feeling better next year as inflation stabilizes and wages increase.

J.D. Vance (16:32)

But there are people that say the.

Jane Costen (16:34)

Numbers are good on some areas, but I don't feel it. What do you say to those people? Say I don't feel it. Be patient.

Scott Bessant (16:40)

I say that you are going to feel it.

Jane Costen (16:44)

Dare I say, I guess we'll have to wait and see. This week in elections have consequences. Planned Parenthood says it's reaching a breaking point. It comes after months of absorbing the cost of care for Medicaid patients who were cut off by the Trump administration's funding ban. The ban, tucked into President Trump's big Republican spending law debacle, Disaster Adventure blocks federal reimbursements to health providers that perform abortions and bill more than $800,000 in Medicaid each year. In September, a federal appeals court allowed the rule to take effect while Planned Parenthood's lawsuit plays out. Since the Medicaid ban took effect in July, the organization has closed 20 clinics. It has also spent tens of millions of dollars covering services like birth control, cancer screenings and prenatal care for low income patients who no longer qualify for coverage at its facilities. Planned Parenthood President and CEO Alexis McGill Johnson warns that more closures are coming if states don't step in. Lawmakers in California, New York and five other blue states have provided emergency funding. But Planned Parenthood says that without broader relief, quote, the damage will only grow, leaving over a million Medicaid patients without affordable reproductive care.

J.D. Vance (17:57)

Sometimes there's this attack where people say, well, you know, this or that conclusion is not supported by the science or this or that conclusion is a conspiracy theory. And science as practiced in, in its best form is that if you disagree with it, then you ought to criticize it and you ought to argue it against it. But you can't shut down the debate.

Jane Costen (18:20)

Thank you, Vice President J.D. vance, for telling us we should argue with science. Vance spoke alongside Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. At the Maha Summit in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday to promote the Make America Healthy Again movement. While the Vance Kennedy event was livestreamed, the summit was otherwise off limit to the press. But according to an agenda seen by the Hill, attendees were set to include a slew of health officials like the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services administrator, the Food and Drug Administration commissioner, the National Institutes of Health director, and the White House Aizar Maha. Influencers were also scheduled to attend, as well as former race car driver Danica Patrick and Ultimate Fighting Championship CEO and noted gambling addict Dana White. And on the agenda, topics like the future of the FDA and nih, psychedelic medicine, biohacking and making American food healthier, according to the Hill comedian, if you can call him that, Russell Brandt was also expected to speak. I guess he's having a hard time booking gigs these days, but since the event was closed to the press, we got stuck with sound from JD Vance discussing how excited he was to speak with RFK Jr. And why giving speeches is hard.

J.D. Vance (19:31)

With the speech, you have to think about what you're gonna say where, you know, an interview. I just have to answer your questions. I don't have to think at all to do an interview. That's great.

Jane Costen (19:41)

Clearly.

Mike Johnson (19:44)

You ready?

Haley Fuchsia (19:45)

Everybody ready?

Mike Johnson (19:46)

You ready? Three, two, one. Done.

Jane Costen (19:52)

All right.

Haley Fuchsia (19:55)

Good job. Good job.

Jane Costen (19:59)

The U.S. mint said rip to penny production as a $0.01 coin that could once buy a snack or a piece of candy has become increasingly irrelevant. The last pennies were struck at the Mint in Philadelphia on Wednesday, ending more than 230 years of penny production in the U.S. officials said the final few pennies would be auctioned off. How much are you willing to pay for a $0.01 coin? US Treasurer Brandon beach said ending production of the penny will save Americans $56 million a year.

Mike Johnson (20:27)

So by taking this step, we protect taxpayer dollars, streamline operations, and better align our currency with the way Americans use their modern wallets. Although today we say goodbye to the continued production of our copper $0.01 coin, let me be crystal clear, the penny remains legal tender. We have over 300 billion pennies that remain in circulation and we encourage you.

Jane Costen (20:57)

To use them where President Trump sentenced the penny to death back in February as production costs exceeded the coin's value. Still, many people have a nostalgia for the penny, seeing them as lucky or fun to collect, and some retailers voiced concerns in recent weeks as supplies ran low and the end of production drew near. They said the phaseout was abrupt and came with no government guidance on how to handle transactions. And that's the news before we go. So by now you've all heard that Crooked Con was a blast. But you may not have heard that everyone loved the Merchant. It didn't get quite the reaction former President Barack Obama got, but it was very close. Couldn't make it to the convention. Missed your size? No worries. Our exclusive Crooked Con 2025 merch is now available. Get your Crooked Con merch before it's gone@crookedcon.com that's all for today. If you like the show, make sure you subscribe, leave a review, celebrate a new bagpiping world record and tell your friends to listen. And if you're into reading and not just about how 374 bagpipers in Melbourne, Australia gathered Wednesday to play ACDCs it's a long Way to the Top, breaking the record for the largest bagpipe ensemble like me. What a Day is also a nightly newsletter. Check it out and subscribe@crooked.com subscribe I'm Jane Coston, and personally, that's too many bagpipes for me. What a Day is a production of Crooked Media. It's recorded and mixed by Desmond Taylor. Our associate producers are Emily Foer and Chris Allport. Our video editor is Joseph Dutra. Our video producer is Johanna Case. We had production help today from Greg Walters, Matt Berg, Kaitlin Plummer, Tyler Hill and Ethan Oberman. Our senior producer is Erica Morrison and our senior Vice president of news and politics is Adrienne Hill. We had help today from the Associated Press. Our theme music is by Colin Gilliard and Kashaka. Our production staff is proudly unionized with the Writers Guild of America east.

Comcast Business Advertiser (23:40)

This is a 30 second ad. In just 30 seconds there are likely to be an average of over 30,000 cyber threats to all businesses. Since I've been talking, more than 10,000 likely just happened. Hey, cyber threats don't wait and neither should you. With advanced security solutions, Comcast Business can help keep your network and data secure and your business reliably up and running. Get threat ready with Comcast Business. Learn how@comcastbusiness.com cybersecurity.

Chevy Equinox Advertiser (24:12)

The 2026 Chevy Equinox is more than an SUV. It's your Sunday tailgate and your parking lot snack bar. Your lucky jersey, your chairs and your big cooler fit perfectly in your even bigger cargo space. And when it's go time, your 11.3-inch diagonal touchscreen's got the playbook, the playlist, the and the tech to stay a step ahead. It's more than an suv. It's your Equinox Chevrolet.

Haley Fuchsia (24:37)

Together.

Chevy Equinox Advertiser (24:38)

Let's drive.