BY DAN VALENTI

PLANET VALENTI NEWS AND COMMENTARY

[ED. NOTE: This column was written before the vote in the House of Representatives on release of the Epstein files. The House voted overwhelmingly to approve release of the Epstein Files. ]

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(FORTRESS OF SOLITUDE WEDNESDAY NOV. 19, 2025) — Periodically people, including those on this board, have asked THE PLANET our views on release of the “Epstein Files.” 

These are the files in the possession of the Justice Department related to the sex trafficking operations of the late Jeffrey Epstein. In 2019, Epstein committed suicide while in jail awaiting trial.

Let it be clear: THE PLANET supports the full release of all materials, with redaction allowed only to protect the names of victims as well as information that would compromise ongoing investigations. Everything else should see the light of day.

The release of files, at least the process leading to release, could happen this week, with the House of Representatives voting. A “deluge of Republicans” are expected to join Democrats in demanding transparency. What happens in the Senate should the House give the OK remains to be seen.

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“There could be 100 or more” House Republicans voting to release the files, said Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky. “I’m hoping to get a veto-proof majority on this legislation when it comes up for a vote.” Take this as a sign that, with the mid-terms coming up next year, the GOP is getting nervous and see this issue as an albatross. Trump’s best bet was to order the Justice Department to release the files. It’s too late now, and it looks like he’s going to cut his losses.

House Speaker Mike Johnson said, “We’ll just get this done and move it on. [President Trump] “has nothing to hide from this. They’re doing this to go after President Trump on this theory that he has something to do with it. He does not.”

If that’s the case, Trump comes out a winner. If not, he’ll take a beating.

The House measure would require the Justice Department “to release all files and communications related to Epstein, as well as any information about the investigation into his death in federal prison.” Many believe Epstein’s death wasn’t a suicide but a hit. 

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MEET DAN VALENTI!

LOCAL GIVING MAKES THE BEST CHRISTMAS GIVING!

BOOK SIGNING

SATURDAY NOV. 22 * NOON * BARNES & NOBLE * PITTSFIELD

Taming the Terror of Talk_Cover

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“Dan Valenti is Berkshire County’s most prolific writer” — Berkshire Magazine

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According to the AP, “The vote comes at a time when new documents are raising fresh questions about Epstein and his associates, including a 2019 email that Epstein wrote to a journalist that said Trump ‘knew about the girls.’” The White House has accused Democrats of selectively leaking parts of the emails out of context.

This, of course, has led Trump haters to jump aboard the accusation train, making thus-far unsupported claims. If the files support those claims, it’s another story. Epstein, of course, knew countless celebrities, politicians, royalty, and others in power. As AP writes, most of these have “never been accused of wrongdoing in connection with Epstein[,] and the mere inclusion of someone’s name in files from the investigation does not imply otherwise.”

Come what may. If the House forces the release of the files, let those who have been guilty of wrongdoing, particularly participating in sexual trafficking, be held accountable. 

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THE PLANET personally believes that while Epstein and Trump knew each other, the latter was not involved in the former’s illegal sexual activities. Nothing we’ve seen so far contradicts that. We say that, of course, without having access to the files. If the material sees the light of day, let the chips fall where they may. 

In a related aside, we loathe government’s default position to hide important information it deems embarrassing. Citizens need to know what crimes and subterfuge our “leaders” are committing. Coverups, for example, have been the way of it in Bitchfield, with lazy elected officials, zero oversight, and virtually no accountability. Why do you think the mayor and council president are terrified of an independent audit?

We’re hoping the new school committee tries what the House is doing by forcing the release of the “independent” investigation to the city’s multiple school-department scandals. As long as the Marchetti administration continues to hide that material, citizens and taxpayers must assume the PSD’s shameful improprieties are continuing. 

THE PLANET directly appeals to those people who will form the new committee when they take office and swear by the oath. We call on Ciara Batory particularly, who made the matter the fulcrum of his election campaign.

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“When government officials hide under the covers, someone needs to rip the blankets off the bed” — Sir Donald Turpentine, Knight of the Bath.

“OPEN THE WINDOW, AUNT MILLIE,”

LOVE TO ALL.

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