Week of August 31: Epstein Protests, RFK's Hearing, National Guard to Chicago?

This week, Rick and I go through the top news stories, including: Congress dumps 33,000+ pages of Epstein documents as survivors head to Capitol Hill, and the White House reportedly calls a transparency push a “hostile act.” We unpack claims that the FBI flagged every Trump mention (and what’s verified vs. alleged), Speaker Mike Johnson’s informant insinuation, and a leaked tape of DOJ’s Joseph Schnitt, then the DOJ’s denial. In public health, HHS Secretary RFK Jr. faces a bruising Senate hearing while floating autism links to Tylenol/low folate (contested by mainstream experts). Rand Paul knocks a former CDC leader’s “lifestyle.” Coastal states explore independent vaccine guidance as Florida moves to end mandates, just as Trump says, “some vaccines work,” creating daylight with RFK. On security and law & order, the administration symbolically rebrands Defense as the “Department of War,” and Trump again threatens to send the National Guard to Chicago. The economy cools with a softer jobs report, and Trump jokes, “If it looks bad, blame AI.” Consumer angle: DOT withdraws the rule that would’ve required cash compensation for airline-caused delays (refund rights remain). Tech optics: a hot mic catches Mark Zuckerberg boasting “at least $600B through ’28” in U.S. investment, then, “I wasn’t sure what number you wanted.” Abroad, Xi hosts a show-of-force parade with Putin and Kim. And even Mitch McConnell warns a second Trump term could be the “most dangerous period” since WWII.