Epstein, Bad Bunny, and endless MAGA losses

Epstein just won't die! So, some Congressional Representatives have been able to look at the Epstein files with the redactions removed if they personally traipse to the Department of Justice to view them. They are not permitted to take any electronic devices into the room with the computers that display the files, but apparently they can take notes. This morning's Daily Kos feature — Abbreviated Pundit Roundup — features images of Tuesday evening's New York Times front page to show how much real estate the newspaper devoted to Epstein-related matters: six top stories in all.

If like me you are getting a bit tired of how much the Epstein matter still dominates the news, you might be amazed at how far the scandal reaches. The BBC News has a half-hour program explaining how the files are impacting a range of countries. The presenter notes that there are now investigations in 10 countries! If you have the time, it's worth a listen. The sex trafficking now seems to be the least of it, or at least coexists with financial and political revelations. The web of powerful people revealed in these files so far has recently overtaken more salacious stories. Reports of whose names are in the email exchanges are always careful to explain that social relationships with the convicted sex offender is not itself a crime. But oh what these files reveal about elites and their behind-the-scenes activities, events and relationships they have desperately wanted to remain hidden.

Big surprise! Bad Bunny has now become the great dividing line between MAGA and the rest of us. Yahoo News proclaims Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Show Gets ‘Awful’ Reviews From MAGA and Most of the Internet. On the other hand, Time leads with Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Show Was an Exuberant Act of Resistance: "Bad Bunny’s halftime show was a fierce act of resistance, and a triumph on many levels. It was an exuberant exercise in spectacle, stagecraft, choreography and camera work; you could have not understood a single word and still had a blast." The opposing views certainly speak to our political and cultural moment. Another article on Yahoo News, MAGA Civil War Erupts Over Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Show, says it all.

Yesterday there were several national notices of important election issues. The New York Times analysis notes that the affidavit authorizing the search of the Fulton County Georgia Election offices said the "FBI criminal investigation originated from a referral sent by Kurt Olsen, Presidentially appointed Director of Election Security and Integrity." It goes on to say "many of the claims in the affidavit refer to long-held — and consistently debunked — conspiracy theories about elections in Georgia, including arguments about fraudulent and duplicate absent ballots, election-machine tabulator tapes and missing ballot images. The claims often focus on small administrative errors or easily explainable abnormalities as evidence of fraud." The NYT article is gifted to you to avoid the paywall.

Kyle Cheney, alas on X so I will not link to it, notes that "A federal judge in Michigan has rejected the administration's attempt to obtain the state's voter rolls. Judge Hala Jarbou, a Trump appointee, said the law does not require the state to turn them over." The judge — chief judge for the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan — dismissed the case. NBC News points out that this is the "the third time a court has tossed a lawsuit by the Trump administration in its efforts to obtain voter registration lists from the states."

The Trump regime's losses in courts keep piling up. No doubt you've already heard the acting U.S. Attorney for DC Jeannine Pirro tried and failed to get a grand jury "to indict Democratic lawmakers over a video urging members of the military and intelligence communities not to comply with unlawful orders" (NBC News, February 10, 2026). The story goes on to list other failures to indict Trump's political enemies like James Comey and Letitia James, who the U.S. Attorney's office tried and failed to win an indictment with TWO DIFFERENT grand juries! And a jury trial acquitted the man who threw a Subway sandwich at a federal officer, also in DC. The piece ends with this observation: "It’s very rare for federal grand juries to say prosecutors failed to meet the probable cause threshold for an indictment." Looks like it's getting more common lately.

As we look toward the fall elections, it is helpful to keep an eye on the big picture. Here's an NBC News take on how current Senators and Representatives are seeing the fall outcome: Members of Congress are fleeing the job at a historically high rate. "Fifty-one House members and nine senators have decided not to run for re-election, the most retirements from Congress this century." In 2018, a year when Democrats gained 40 seats in the House, 34 Republicans decided not to run again. The picture is a bit complicated by the fact that some who are choosing not to run for their House or Senate seats have decided to run for a different office — for governor, for example, or for a seat in the U.S. Senate.

In other election news you might have missed, Analilia Mejia has won the latest special election primary — in New Jersey. She bested a large field that included a former Representative, Tom Malinowski. Mejia is described as a "progressive activist" who "ran on a platform of affordability for the working class, including more funding for child care and raising taxes on the highest earners" (The 19th, February 10, 2026). The seat became open when Mikie Sherrill was sworn in as Governor of NJ. It's not a competitive district, so Mejia is expected to win the seat. But she'll have to do it all over again for the fall election!

And that's the news portion. Now it's your turn to get engaged. The two boxed items just below are both concerned with upcoming elections and provide you with opportunities to help knock on doors in your neighborhood and to meet some of the gubernatorial candidates ahead of the August primary. After that come our weekly ACTION items and then a really long list of area events. Get busy!

The Democratic Party of Wisconsin has set up canvasses throughout the North Shore and parts of Milwaukee's other suburbs. Please sign up at Mobilize.us for the area, place, and time you can knock doors. I hear the weather is going to downright balmy this weekend — Accuweather says sunny and 56º on Sunday! It is vital that we begin NOW to make our voters aware of the important Supreme Court election this year. So do your bit!

Canvass in Glendale, Sundays: Feb 15 & 22; Mar 1, 8, 15, 22, & 29.
Canvass in Greendale, Greenfield & Hales Corners, Saturday, Feb 14.
Canvass in Shorewood, Saturday, Feb 14.
Canvass in West Allis, Saturdays, Feb 14, 21, 28; Mar 7, 14, 21.
Canvass in Whitefish Bay, Saturdays: Feb 14, 21, 28 & Mar 14; Sundays: Feb 22.

The Milwaukee County Democratic Party is holding a series of events in their Bay View office — 2999 S Delaware Ave, Milwaukee — to provide an opportunity for people to meet the gubernatorial candidates one at a time. In the box below, you will find a list of all the meetings. Be sure you save the dates and times for the candidates you want to meet.

Francesca Hong, Sunday, February 22, 1:00 - 2:30pm
Kelda Roys, Thursday, March 5, 6:00 - 7:30pm
David Crowley, Saturday, March 7, 12:00 - 1:30pm
Missy Hughes, Wednesday, March 11, 6:00 - 7:30pm
Mandela Barnes, Wednesday, March 25, 6:00 - 7:30pm

TAKE ACTION

5 Calls: This site makes it dead simple to call your Senators and your Representative on key issues of the day. It always provides an explanation of the issue, phone numbers for your Reps, and a script to follow. This week, we are urging you to make calls on the following issues:

Oppose the SAVE America Act - HOUSE VOTE THIS WEEK. This bill would hinder millions of eligible Americans, including married women who changed their name, from registering to vote by requiring citizens to present a birth certificate or passport in person to register and again when they go to the polls.
No Continuing Resolution (CR) for the Department of Homeland Security, the department in which ICE, CBP, and other immigration organizations are housed. This would cut off funding for DHS until appropriate restraints on ICE and CBP are implemented in law.
Claw Back the $170B Slush Fund for ICE and CBP. Congress must immediately claw back the tens of billions of dollars being used to terrorize and murder people across the United States at the expense of government programs that keep our communities safe.
Demand Full Epstein Case File Release and Public Hearings. Congress must demand the DOJ release all files as mandated by the Epstein Files Transparency Act, call for public hearings on the released files’ contents, and hold the DOJ accountable for shielding perpetrators.

nice to have, it’s how we protect what matters. See you there! Register.

Drag Queen Bingo, 7:00 - 9:00pm
Pop! 124 W. National Ave, Milwaukee
Come to meet people, stay for the fun! The League of Women Voters of Milwaukee County brings people together to celebrate, learn, and stand firm that LGBTQ+ rights are human rights. Community, connection, and bingo—what’s not to love?

Saturday, March 7

Weekly Power to the People Protest, 10:00 - 11:30am
S 76th Street & W Layton
Join us this week—and every week—as we gather to make our voices heard. Our weekly protest is a space for community, solidarity, and action. Together, we stand for justice, equality, and change, reminding those in power that we will not be silent. Bring your energy, your signs, and your friends—every presence matters. Let’s raise our voices, week after week, until real change is won. Parking is available at the Best Buy overflow parking lot along Layton. BMO Bank has let those who are mobility impaired park on the northwest corner. As a courtesy, please park as far away from businesses as possible, so that customers have a place to park. This is a local event sponsored by Birds on a Wire and Indivisible - Southeast Wisconsin. Sign up.

Glendale: Stand for Democracy, 12:00 - 1:00pm
N Port Washington Rd & W Silver Spring Dr, Glendale
Gather with us at noon every Saturday to make our voices heard. Together, we stand for justice, equality, and change, reminding those in power that we will not be silent. Bring your energy, your signs, and your friends. Let’s raise our voices, week after week, until real change is won. Dress for the weather. Bring your cellphone, water, hats & gloves, umbrella, sunscreen, and a chair if you need one. Bring a sign (use bold, large lettering, so your sign can be read by moving traffic, 2-5 words) or borrow one from our community. Parking is available in the Bayshore parking lot.

Tosa: Stand for Democracy, 12:00 - 1:00pm
76th St & North Ave, Wauwatosa
equality, and change, reminding those in power that we will not be silent. Bring your energy, your signs, and your friends. Let’s raise our voices, week after week, until real change is won. Dress for the weather. Bring your cellphone, water, sunscreen, and a chair if you need one. Bring a sign (use bold, large lettering, so your sign can be read by moving traffic, 2-5 words) or borrow one from our community. Parking is available in the Wauwatosa City Hall parking lot.

Concerned Citizens Protest at Eastcastle, 1:00 - 1:30pm
Downer Ave, Milwaukee
Meet on the east side of the street, Downer Ave, between Bradford Ave and Lake Drive.

Monday, March 9

DPMC Platform and Resolutions Meeting, 6:00pm
Google Meet
See A Guide to Platform and Resolutions. RSVP for the link to the Google Meet meeting available soon.

Tuesday, March 18

Lubar Center Spring Elections Program, 12:15 - 1:15pm
Eckstein Hall, Milwaukee On March 18, Chris Taylor will visit to discuss her experience, including her current position on the Wisconsin Court of Appeals since 2023. She began her career as an attorney, served in the Wisconsin State Assembly beginning in 2011, and was a judge of the Dane County Circuit Court for three years. The programs will begin promptly at 12:15 p.m. and include lunch, conversation, and community in Eckstein Hall. Register

EVENTS

Wednesday, February 11

Teeing Up the Future: Fundraiser for Trevor Jung/WI Senate District 21, 6:00 – 8:00pm
Luxe Golf Bays, 7065 S Ballpark Dr, Franklin, WI 53132
Join us for a fundraiser to support Trevor Jung, Candidate for WI State Senate District 21! Meet Trevor, enjoy conversation over appetizers/cash bar, and hit a few balls at the Luxe Golf Bays. All are welcome. Suggested giving levels are $20/50/100/250/500/1000. Pre-registration is required.

The Color of Law : The Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America, 6:30 - 7:30pm
Virtual
Join our February Banned Book Club as we discuss The Color of Law: The Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America by legal scholar Richard Rothstein. This groundbreaking book challenges the widely held belief that racial segregation in the United States was the result of private choices or economic forces. Instead, Rothstein documents how federal, state, and local governments actively created and enforced segregation through laws, policies, and court decisions, and how those choices continue to shape inequality today. See you there! Register.

Thursday, February 12

Resist and Reimagine: Lessons from Minnesota on Fighting Authoritarianism, 6:00pm CT

Organizers and community members in Minnesota are transforming crisis into action and tragedy into solidarity. Join us for a conversation with labor and community leaders from Minnesota including Reps. Ilhan Omar (MN-5), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) and special guests. They’ll share practical lessons for fellow organizers on organizing in the midst of crisis, rapid response, economic solidarity actions, and how Minnesota’s experience can help other communities prepare to protect each other. Sign up by clicking the green "Save my spot!" link on the right side of the screen.

Inside the Authoritarian Playbook: The Coordinated Attacks on Public Education, 6:30 PM - 7:30
Virtual
The authoritarian playbook is targeting our public schools. From dismantling the Department of Education and stripping funding from classrooms, to banning books and whitewashing history, these attacks aren’t random. They’re part of a coordinated, well-funded plan by authoritarian politicians and their billionaire backers to weaken public education, silence honest conversations, and seize control of what our kids learn. Join us to learn what’s really happening and who’s behind it. More importantly, we’ll talk about how people can fight back by showing up at school board meetings, mobilizing communities, and building real collective power. Because when we organize, we win. See you there! Register.

Saturday, February 14

Protesting 101: Know Your Rights, 12:00 - 2:00pm
Milwaukee Public Library Zablocki Branch, 3501 W Oklahoma Ave, Milwaukee
Are you feeling overwhelmed by the chaos, brutality, continued push of white supremacy and destruction of our democracy? Tired of being at home but don't know what to do or are unsure what you are able to do? Come offline and join us in person to learn and engage with what it means to utilize your right to free speech. We will have scenarios to practice and gain some muscle memory. We hope that after you understand more of your rights, that you will feel more comfortable exercising them. Protesting 101: Know Your Rights is designed for folks who are brand new to exercising their First Amendment right to peacefully protest. We'd like to reserve the limited number of seats for new protestors. (If you have been protesting for a while and are ready for next steps, contact us. We can direct you to other appropriate training.)

Concerned Citizens Protest at Eastcastle, 1:00 - 1:30pm
Downer Ave, Milwaukee
Meet on the east side of the street, Downer Ave, between Bradford Ave and Lake Drive.

Migra Watch Verifier Training, 1:00 - 3:00pm
733 W Historic Mitchell St, Milwaukee
What is a verifier? A verifier responds to ICE alerts by quickly traveling to reported locations to confirm or deny ICE activity.

Tuesday, February 17

Lubar Center Spring Elections Program, 12:15 - 1:15pm
Eckstein Hall, Milwaukee
Maria Lazar will join us to talk about her experience in the legal system, including as a judge of the Wisconsin Court of Appeals since 2022. She began her career in private practice, worked for five years as an assistant attorney general at the Wisconsin Department of Justice, and served for seven years as a judge of the Waukesha County Circuit Court.

On March 18, Chris Taylor will visit to discuss her experience, including her current position on the Wisconsin Court of Appeals since 2023. She began her career as an attorney, served in the Wisconsin State Assembly beginning in 2011, and was a judge of the Dane County Circuit Court for three years.

The programs will begin promptly at 12:15 p.m. and include lunch, conversation, and community in Eckstein Hall. You can register for one or both of the programs.

Wednesday, February 18

Ozaukee County Canvass Launch Training!! 6:00 - 7:00pm
1245 Cheyenne Ave., #103, Grafton
Come learn how to launch a canvass with us! We will give you all the tools to successfully host a staging location! Sign up.

Ozaukee Democrats Monthly Meeting, 7:00 - 8:00pm
1245 Cheyenne Ave., #103, Grafton
Join us for our monthly meeting to get the latest updates on our fight to turn Ozaukee County blue and find out how you can help.

Thursday, February 19

Sarah Godlewski Fundraiser, 5:30pm
Milwaukee (address after RSVP)
We're hosting a grassroots fundraiser in Milwaukee to support my campaign for Lieutenant Governor, and it's going to be a great chance to connect, talk about the big fights ahead, and build the energy we need to win in November. From lowering healthcare and grocery costs, to protecting reproductive freedom, to supporting our workers and unions, we have big work ahead. RSVP.

DPMC Membership Meeting, 6:00 - 7:00pm
2718 N 33rd St, Milwaukee
Join us for the February DPMC Membership Meeting! Please RSVP.

Affordability Town Hall, 6:00 - 7:30pm
Village of West Milwaukee Community Centre, 1345 S 47th St, West Milwaukee
State Representative Priscilla A. Prado from the 9th Assembly District and State Senator Tim Carpenter from the 3rd Senate District would like to invite you to a community discussion focused on affordability in Wisconsin. We are hoping to hear your thoughts about key affordability challenges, as well as any other interests or concerns you may have. We appreciate your time and consideration regarding these issues. Please join us.

Recognizing and Fighting the Latest Book Ban Tactics, 6:30 - 7:30 CT
Virtual
Across the country, extremist politicians and advocacy groups are rolling out new strategies to quietly pull books from shelves, intimidate educators, and control what kids are allowed to learn. Data shows a disturbing normalization of censorship with thousands of books banned in just the past year alone. Join us to hear from Kelly Jensen of Book Riot and Sabrina Baêta of PEN America as we discuss the newest trends and tactics driving today’s book bans and how communities can recognize them and fight back. Sign up.

Waukesha Dems Monthly Meeting, 7:00 - 8:30pm
200 Richard St, Waukesha, WI 53189
We are joined by state Senator and Gubernatorial Candidate Kelda Roys. She will be speaking and taking questions about her campaign.

Saturday, February 21

Reading, History and Civic Power, 11:30am - 2:30pm
Martin Luther King Library, 2901 N Doctor M.L.K. Jr Dr Jr, Milwaukee
Join Chair Senator Dora Drake for “Reading, History, and Civic Power”, an event dedicated to identifying strategies to improve literacy rates and amplify the teaching of African American history in public schools at the Martin Luther King Jr. Branch of the Milwaukee Public Library. This Black History Month event explores how empowering students with strong reading skills and a deeper understanding of African American heritage directly correlates with increased civic engagement and voter participation. This engaging panel discussion with educators and historians will outline actionable strategies to support literacy development and advocate for inclusive history curricula. By bridging literacy and historical awareness, we aim to create a more civically engaged community. Together, we can increase literacy, tell fuller stories of our shared history, and strengthen the civic power of our communities.

Concerned Citizens Protest at Eastcastle, 1:00 - 1:30pm
Downer Ave, Milwaukee
Meet on the east side of the street, Downer Ave, between Bradford Ave and Lake Drive.

Wednesday, February 25

Chris Larson Campaign Kickoff, 5:30 - 7:00pm
Art Bar, 722 E Burleigh St, Milwaukee
Join Senator Chris Larson at the Art Bar as he kicks off his reelection campaign for the Wisconsin State Senate. RSVP and donate.

Wednesday, February 25

The Real Impact of Vouchers on Public Schools, 6:30 - 7:30pm CT
Virtual
School vouchers are often sold as “more choice” for families, but in reality they are an extremist scheme to drain public resources and defund public schools. In states like Arizona and Florida, where voucher programs have been aggressively expanded, the reality has been devastating for public schools, students, and communities.

Join Sharon Kirsch and Beth Lewis of Save Our Schools Arizona and Damaris Allen of Families for Strong Public Schools in Florida for an important and eye-opening conversation about what actually happens when voucher programs take hold. They’ll share firsthand stories and data from their states, including massive losses in public school funding, school closures, and widespread fraud and misuse of taxpayer dollars. Learn what is happening in these states so you can be prepared to organize, advocate, and stop voucher expansion in your own communities. Sign up.

Save the Date

Saturday, February 28

Concerned Citizens Protest at Eastcastle, 1:00 - 1:30pm
Downer Ave, Milwaukee
Meet on the east side of the street, Downer Ave, between Bradford Ave and Lake Drive.

Mapping Racism and Resistance in Milwaukee County: A presentation about racial covenants, 1:00 – 2:00pm
2620 W Center St, Milwaukee
Join UW-Milwaukee professors Anne Bonds and Derek G. Handley for a presentation and discussion about racial covenants and Black resistance. Racial covenants were a widely used tool to racially segregate housing and communities in the first half of the twentieth century. For nearly three years, Bonds and Handley have been working together with thousands of community members to read and transcribe racial covenants in property records in order to map these covenants and understand their geography and impact in Milwaukee County’s racially segregated landscape. At this same time, they’ve researched how Black activists and their allies sought to challenge and resist racial covenants in their struggle for access to decent, affordable housing.

League of Women Voters Birthday Party, 2:00 - 4:00pm

Join us to celebrate the League's Birthday!

2-2:30 Mix and Mingle
2:30-3:30 Performance by Jessica Michna (First Impressions) and Q&A
3:30-4 Brief slideshow of the History of the League.

We will serve cupcakes. There will be a cash bar option.

Monday, March 2

Astor Street Regulars, 12:00pm
Wisconsin Club 900 W. Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee
Jeff Mandell for Law Forward: Protecting our Freedoms. WHAT NOW? If this is what you wake up to every morning--save the date to meet Jeff Mandell of Law Forward. Attorney Mandell is one of Wisconsin's experts in election and constitutional law. He is Co-founder of Law Forward, a non-profit legal advocacy organization based in Madison, Wisconsin.

In 2021 Law Forward requested Milwaukee Attorney General John Chisholm to launch an investigation on Republicans who had sent fraudulent electoral college certifications for Trump during the 2020 US presidential election. It was a successful case! Since founding in 2020, fake electors, fair maps, union rights, voting rights, accountability (see Gableman) and Elon Musk seeming to try to buy an election are issues we will hear about.

To RSVP, email Phyllis Bankier by February 25. Lunch will be $35. Cash preferred, pay at the door. We must hold you to your reservations as we are charged for all lunches not canceled 5 days before the event.

Thursday, March 5

RWB Civics Salon: How State Government Works, 6:30 - 7:30
Virtual
State government shapes our lives in ways we feel every day from schools and healthcare to reproductive freedom, voting rights, housing, and public safety. And yet, it’s often the level of government we know the least about. Join us for RWB Civics Salon: How State Government Works to better understand where real power lies and how change actually happens close to home. We'll break down what the state government really does, who’s calling the shots, and why statehouses have become ground zero for fights over democracy, rights, and equality. Understanding state government isn’t just nice to have, it’s how we protect what matters. See you there! Register.

Saturday, March 7

Concerned Citizens Protest at Eastcastle, 1:00 - 1:30pm
Downer Ave, Milwaukee
Meet on the east side of the street, Downer Ave, between Bradford Ave and Lake Drive.

Monday, March 9

DPMC Platform and Resolutions Meeting, 6:00pm
Google Meet
See A Guide to Platform and Resolutions. RSVP for the link to the Google Meet meeting available soon.

Tuesday, March 18