Marc Caputo: With Epstein Files, Dan Bongino Is Learning Governing Is A Lot Harder Than Podcasting

Posted By Tim Hains Date July 7, 2025

Axios White House reporter Marc Caputo told MSNBC's "Morning Joe" spoke about that website's scoop that the FBI and DOJ have concluded that there never was an "Epstein client list" and the infamous sex offender really did kill himself inside federal prison.

MARC CAPUTO, AXIOS: We had another story in Axios that ran last night from my colleague Alex Isenstadt, where the Department of Justice has, in the Epstein case, decided, “We're not going to release all of the records related to that.” Oh, by the way, Jeffrey Epstein committed suicide. There is no client list, and that's that.

I think if there's one thing we learned from the JFK case, it's probably a good idea in these instances to never disclose. But the administration in this case has decided not to do that. However, in the JFK case, they are—and people who have been very critical of the CIA are saying at least John Ratcliffe, who's the head of the CIA, and Tulsi Gabbard, the Director of National Intelligence, are taking this seriously.

JOE SCARBOROUGH: So, the reporting from Axios says that the DOJ is saying there is no evidence that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein kept a list of high-profile clients. And yeah, talk about the complication of that for the DOJ and for others. There's been so much disinformation surrounding client lists, apparently, and all these other things that it's something that leaders in the FBI have obviously been trying to explain to the MAGA base, who don’t appear to want to hear this.

MARC CAPUTO: Well, they don't. Kash Patel—the Director of the FBI—and especially the Deputy Director, Assistant Director, Dan Bongino, he used to be a podcaster and was one of the largest proponents of the idea that there's an Epstein list, that this is a cover-up, that this reaches to the highest level. Then he winds up being the number two guy at the FBI, and now he's like, “Oh, well, I've looked at the evidence. All of that's not true.”

So of course, this branches two ways: either Bongino has been corrupted by the very conspiracy that he claimed exists, or the conspiracy really didn’t exist. And it turns out that doing your job as a sworn law enforcement officer in a government agency that is governing is a lot harder than podcasting. And at a certain point, the facts matter.

We don't have, obviously, all the access to all of the information. So we can't say, certainly. Jeffrey Epstein, who was a person of great interest and was incarcerated in a federal lockup, having committed suicide when he was under suicide watch, is very suspicious. However, the FBI has released what it says are the ten hours of video footage showing no one went into his cell. So from the evidence we have right now, it does look as if what DOJ is saying is the truth.

But once again, we don't have all the records. And what we've seen in the JFK case is—more transparency is probably better, not less.

https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2025/07/07/marc_caputo_with_epstein_files_dan_bongino_is_learning_governing_is_a_lot_harder_than_podcasting.html

Why would the FBI or whoever dropped the info, is releasing them to Axios, not a Trump liking media? Is this just a big head fake, why would Trump seemingly confirm that it was the FBI or Government releasing it, and why not release it to the public themselves. Something very shady about this.

8 Jul, 2025 19:40

Ukraine threatens new invasion of two Russian regions

Kiev’s top commander has urged a renewed push into Kursk and Belgorod despite Russia’s full recapture of the area and ongoing peace talks

==Ukraine’s commander-in-chief, Aleksandr Syrsky, has called for the re-establishment of Kiev’s military positions in Russia’s Kursk and Belgorod Regions. The proposal comes despite the failure of Ukraine’s past incursion attempts– and the resumption of peace negotiations between Moscow and Kiev.

In late April, Russia announced that it had fully regained control of Kursk Region after months of fighting and expelled all Ukrainian units from occupied settlements. The following month, Russian President Vladimir Putin personally visited the region to oversee restoration efforts.

Kiev’s forces have since continued their attempts to break through the border, but have been unable to re-establish a foothold.

On Tuesday, Syrsky reported that he had attended ameeting chaired by Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky, during which the commander had “emphasized the restoration of positions and holding territories in the Kursk and Belgorod regions of the Russian Federation.”Syrsky did not elaborate on how such objectives could be achieved.

Ukraine has continued to face mounting challenges on the battlefield,including a severe manpower shortage and diminishing weapons supplies. Last week, the US reportedly halted all weapon shipments to Kiev, citing an internal stockpile review.

On Sunday, Bild reported that Kiev had requested a variety of weapons from Germany valued at billions of euros. The request allegedly includes WiSENT demining vehicles, which were previously utilized by Ukrainian forces during their last unsuccessful incursion.

Kiev launched its thrust into the Russian border region in August 2024. While initially managing to capture a number of settlements, Ukraine’s offensive was soon halted, and its forces were gradually pushed out.

During a recent appearance at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum,Putin described the Ukrainian campaign in Kursk as a “catastrophe,” saying it resulted in over 76,000 Ukrainian casualties. He stated thatUkraine’s combat units are now manned at just 47% of their required strength.

Syrsky’s call to re-enter Kursk and Belgorod also comes amid renewed diplomatic efforts between Russia and Ukraine. Direct negotiations resumed in Istanbul earlier this year, with both sides exchanging prisoners and drafting preliminary memorandums on a potential ceasefire.

However, Russian officials have expressed skepticism about Kiev’s commitment to peace. The Kremlin has repeatedly accused Ukrainian forces of carrying out drone strikes and sabotage attacks on civilian infrastructure in Russian cities, including the Kursk and Bryansk Regions. Putin has characterized such operations as acts of terrorism, suggesting that Ukraine’s leadership remains more focused on confrontation than compromise.

https://www.rt.com/russia/621204-syrsky-kursk-belgorod-incursions/

8 Jul, 2025 19:09

Mother dies trying to save son from draft officers in Ukraine – media (VIDEO)

The footage reportedly from Kharkov Region shows an elderly woman attempting to block a van before she collapses to the ground

A woman has died shortly after a desperate attempt to save her son from military recruitment officers in Ukraine, a local Telegram channel and media have claimed, posting a dramatic video of the incident.

Ukrainian authorities declared general mobilization following the escalation of the conflict with Russia in 2022, barring most men between the ages of 18 and 60 from leaving the country. In 2024, Kiev tightened conscription laws and lowered the draft age from 27 to 25.

However,a considerable number of would-be recruits are apparently unwilling to join the Ukrainian military, as attested by numerous social media videos depicting men fleeing from or resisting draft officers.

The mobilization campaign, enforced by the country’s Territorial Centers of Recruitment and Social Support (TCR),has been repeatedly criticized over draft officers’ aggressive tactics and abuses.

The video of the incident, which reportedly took place in the city of Merefa in Kharkov Region in eastern Ukraine, was published by a local Telegram channel on Tuesday.A woman in her 60s can be seen clinging to the windshield of a moving van, seemingly trying to stop it. The vehicle moves in reverse gear for some time while the woman screams. An onlooker shooting the video is heard claiming that the van belonged to military recruitment officers who had recently taken the woman’s son, who was presumably being held inside the vehicle.

Eventually, a brawny man emerges from the vehicle and rudely tackles the woman, finally making her let go of the van. Soon after it speeds away, the woman collapses to the ground.

According to Strana.UA media outlet, the woman soon passed away in an ambulance.

In recent months, numerous violent altercations between draft officers and reluctant draftees have been captured on video all across Ukraine. There have also been multiple cases of civil disobedience and even assassinations of draft officers, as well as reports of men dying under suspicious circumstances shortly after being taken from the street.

Ukrainian lawmaker Roman Kostenko claimed last month that fewer than one in four recruits enlist voluntarily, with most entering service through whathe described as “brutal compulsory conscription.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Ukrainian recruitment officers are grabbing people “like dogs on the street.” He accused the leadership in Kiev of waging a war “to the last Ukrainian” on behalf of Western nations.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Defense Ministry has officially dismissed criticism of the mobilization process as “Russian propaganda.”

https://www.rt.com/russia/621201-report-woman-dies-trying-to-save-son-draft-officers-ukraine/

8 Jul, 2025 17:23

Trump admits Ukraine conflict difficult to tackle

The US president says he’s “unhappy” with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, and may consider imposing more sanctions on Moscow

US President Donald Trump has acknowledged that resolving the Ukraine conflict has proven to be more difficult than he expected. He also said he didn’t think his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, is serious about ending the hostilities.

Since taking office in January, the Republican has repeatedly vowed to put an end to the conflict between Moscow and Kiev in short order. However, Trump has gradually conceded that the endeavor could take longer than his originally touted “24 hours.”

Speaking to the press on Tuesday, the US president said he was “not happy with Putin,” while claiming, “he’s killing a lot of people,” both Russian and Ukrainian troops. Trump asserted that up to 7,000 people are being killed in the conflict every week at this point.

When asked by a reporter whether he planned to “act on that feeling,” Trump replied, “I wouldn’t be telling you,” adding that he wanted his next move to remain “a little surprise” for the time being.

The US president cited America’s recent attack on Iran’s nuclear facility as an example of his strategy based on unpredictability.

“It’s turned out to be tougher,” Trump acknowledged, referring to his attempts to settle the Ukraine conflict, adding that Washington has given Kiev the “best [military] equipment ever made.”

“It’s turned out to be tougher,” Trump acknowledged, referring to his attempts to settle the Ukraine conflict, adding that Washington has given Kiev the “best [military] equipment ever made.”

According to the US president, Russia would have defeated Ukraine in “three [to] four days,” if not for American weapons deliveries.However, he went on to note that the US probably gave Ukraine more weapons than it should have under former President Joe Biden, surpassing even Europe.

“We’re in there for 300 billion dollars,” Trump said, adding that he wants US arms manufacturers to speed up their production processes.

“We get a lot of bulls**t thrown at us by Putin, if you wanna know the truth,” the US president claimed, stating that the Russian leader “is very nice all the time, but it turns out to be meaningless.”

When asked about a sanctions bill put forward by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, which calls for more punitive measures against Moscow, Trump said that he was “looking at it.”

“It’s an optional bill,” Trump stressed, noting that the final decision as to whether to impose new sanctions lies solely with him.

Last week, the Pentagon announced a halt to weapons deliveries to Ukraine, with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly making the decision single-handedly as part of a “capability review.”

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov welcomed the freeze, suggesting that it could bring the end of the conflict closer.

However, on Monday, Trump appeared to go back on the military aid suspension, explaining that Ukraine was “getting hit very hard now” by Russian strikes.

Russia has repeatedly condemned Western arms shipments to Ukraine, arguing that they only serve to prolong the bloodshed without changing its course and increase the risk of broader escalation.

https://www.rt.com/news/621206-trump-ukraine-difficult-tackle/

Who’s feeding Trump bullshit, saying that Ukraine is being attacked, sound like Col Keith Kellogg giving him misinformation. ==I’ve noticed there are always Ukraine Sympathetic reporters in Trump’s interviews, you can tell by the accent. So Kiev sent their propaganda right into Trump’s circle. Are Russian reported invited in?

8 Jul, 2025 15:03

Von der Leyen blames Russia for no-confidence motion

The EU chief has labeled her critics “conspiracy theorists”

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has dismissed efforts by members of the European Parliament to oust her,branding her critics “conspiracy theorists” and accusing them of acting on behalf of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Von der Leyen is facing a parliamentary motion of no-confidence in her presidency, which is scheduled for a vote on Thursday after being tabled by Romanian MEP Gheorghe Piperea. Addressing the parliament during a debate on Monday, von der Leyen said those backing the proposal were following “the oldest playbook of extremists” and were attempting to undermine public confidence in the EU with “false claims.”

“There is no proof that they have any answers, but there is ample proof that many are supported by our enemies and by their puppet masters in Russia or elsewhere.”

“These are movements fueled by conspiracies, from anti-vaxxers to Putin apologists. And you only have to look at some of the signatories of this motion to understand what I mean.”

In his remarks to parliament, Piperea accused the Commission of centralizing decision-making in a non-democratic fashion and of interfering in the internal affairs of member states.

Russian officials have claimed that EU leaders are using fear tactics to shield themselves from criticism.Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov dubbed von der Leyen, who is German, a “fuhrer” for her efforts to push a multi-billion euro militarization program on member states. Russia maintains that unlike Western states it does not interfere with other nations’ domestic affairs.

Von der Leyen urged “all the pro-Europeans, pro-democracy forces” in the chamber to support her agenda, arguing that unity was essential to uphold the EU’s foreign policy strength.

Criticism of von der Leyen’s leadership has centered on her handling of the

EU’s Covid-19 response during her first term, particularly the lack of transparency in finalizing a 2021 vaccine procurement deal with Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla. Earlier this year, the European Court of Justice found her office at fault for failing to retain text messages exchanged with Bourla and for refusing to release them to journalists with adequate justification.

Piperea is a member of Romania’s AUR party, led by George Simion, who narrowly lost a presidential runoff this year to a pro-EU candidate. The election followed a scrapped first-round vote earlier in 2024, in which outsider Calin Georgescu emerged as the frontrunner. The country’s Constitutional Court annulled the results, citing government allegations of Russian interference.

Critics of the EU claim the episode reflects a broader anti-democratic trend allegedly enabled by Brussels.

https://www.rt.com/news/621181-eu-president-confidence-russia/

(They never punish the Evil NWO, but the always punish the innocent Conservative candidate that can fix the EU.)

8 Jul, 2025 03:46

Fully independent Palestinian state would pose threat to Israel – Netanyahu

The PM has rejected a two-state solution as the war in Gaza enters its 21st month

Militant groups would use a fully independent Palestinian state to undermine security, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during a meeting with US President Donald Trump. (Bibi has no intention of honoring any agreement, not even with the US.)

A reporter asked Trump during a dinner with Netanyahu on Mondaywhether an independent Palestinian state was possible. “I don’t know,” Trump replied, referring the question to the Israeli leader.

“I think the Palestinians should have all the powers to govern themselves,but none of the powers to threaten us. That means a sovereign power, like overall security, will always remain in our hands==,” Netanyahu said.

He later argued that Hamas used its control of Gazato carry out the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.“So people aren’t likely to say, ‘Let’s just give them another state.’ It’ll be a platform to destroy Israel,” Netanyahu said. (I bet if Israelis are polled the majority of them that are humans would say, they should have their own state. But Bibi won’t allow their opinion to be counted.)

“We will work out a peacewith our Palestinian neighbors,those who don’t want to destroy us, and we willwork out a peace in which our security, the sovereign power of security, always remains in our hands,”the prime minister added.

“Now people will say, ‘It’s not a complete state, it’s not a state, it’s not that.’We don’t care! We vowed never again. Never again is now. It’s not going to happen again,” he said.

While the UN and US have backed a two-state solution for decades, some Israeli politicians and Republicans in Washington are increasingly describing it as unrealistic.

Last month, the US State Department warned other countries against recognizing Palestinian statehood, according to Reuters. Nevertheless, it is recognized as a sovereign nation by over 140 countries, representing about 75 percent of UN members as of November 2024, according to Al Jazeera.

Israel resumed its operation against Hamas in Gaza after a two-month ceasefire collapsed in March when the sides failed to reach further agreement.Netanyahu has said the campaign will continueuntil all remaining hostages are freedand the militant groups are dismantled.(Why is the State Department taking sides with Israel?)

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres is“appalledby the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza,” made worse by the lack of access to food and other aid, his spokesman said last week. At least 57,523 Palestinians have been killed there since October 2023, according to local authorities in the enclave. (The UN is just as corrupt as Israel.)

https://www.rt.com/news/621169-netanyahu-rejects-independent-palestine/

(Why to Hell is Trump allowing Netanyahu manage or decide the fate of the people Palestine or Gaza. This Israel control over America is getting pretty sickening. Bibi the Snake is always lying.He thinks that if the Gulf States join the Abraham Accords, he thinks the Gulf States will take Israel’s side, that is not the point of the Abraham AccordsMany of the Arab states cancelled their participation when Israel went to war not with the Hamas in Gaza but killing the Palestinians and Christians there, and Israel totally wanted to rule or take over Palestine. I doubt the states are going to participate in the Abraham Accords, since Bibi hasn't changed.)

8 Jul, 2025 16:11

Israel plans to move Gaza population to single ‘humanitarian city’ – defense minister

The Palestinians will not be allowed to leave the camp except for “voluntarily” emigrating to other countries, Israel Katz says

Israel is preparing to establish aso-called “humanitarian city” on the ruins of Rafahin the southern Gaza Strip, where thePalestinian enclave’s entire population is to be moved, the country’s defense minister, Israel Katz, has announced. Critics of the initiativepromptly branded the “city” an internment campand warned of potentially widespread human rights abuse.

The “humanitarian city” is expected to initially accommodate some 600,000 Palestinians – primarily displaced persons living in the coastal Mawasi area to the northwest of Rafah, Katz told reporters on Monday. Eventually,all of the estimated 2.2 million Gazans will be placed into the “city,” which is to be secured by the Israeli militaryfrom a distance and run by unspecified international organizations, the minister stated.

The Palestinians will undergo screening before being placed into the “city” to ensure no Hamas operatives slip in, Katz noted. The scheme is ultimately designed to displace the entire Gaza population and encourage it to “voluntarily emigrate” from the enclave elsewhere, the minister admitted.Those who end up in the zone will not be allowed to return to other parts of Gaza, he added.

The defense ministry has already begun planning for the zone, according to Katz. However, the country’s authorities have made no public statements on the scheme or said whether it has actually been approved. It also remains unclear when the plan would be put into motion.

The proposed “humanitarian city” has been criticized by human rights advocates and activists, who have branded it an internal camp and warned of potential abuses. Michael Sfard, a leading Israeli human rights lawyer,called the proposed scheme “an operational plan for a crime against humanity.”

“While the government still calls the deportation ‘voluntary,’ people in Gazaare under so many coercive measures that no departure from the strip can be seen in legal terms as consensual,”Sfard told the Guardian.

The “humanitarian city” plan comes after Israel rejected Hamas’ proposed changes to a Gaza ceasefire deal. The Palestinian militant group reportedly wanted the agreement to ensure a permanent truce and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

The conflict between Hamas and Israel began in October of 2023, when the group launched a surprise assault in the south of the country. The initial attack left some 1,200 people dead, with around 250 taken hostage.

Some 50 hostages remain in captivity in Gaza. Fewer than half are believed to be alive. Over the past 21 months, Israel’s military response, which has involved heavy aerial and artillery bombardments, as well as ground operations in the Strip, has killed at least 57,000 people, mostly civilians, according to the local health ministry.

https://www.rt.com/news/621192-israel-gaza-displacement-plan/