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The Epstein files have prompted a rare moment of unity on Capitol Hill.

The Epstein Files Transparency Act passed the House (427-1) and Senate (by unanimous consent) yesterday, riding a surge of bipartisanship after President Trump played a reverse card Sunday and urged Republicans to back the bill. Trump, who previously called the issue a “Democrat hoax,” said Republicans have “nothing to hide” and has pledged to sign the bill into law once it hits his desk.

The bill requires the DOJ to release all unclassified records tied to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. 

Meanwhile, former Treasury Secretary and former Harvard President Larry Summers announced that he’s stepping back from his public commitments after the release of emails showing long-term communications with Epstein after his 2008 conviction. Summers called the association a “major error in judgment.”

(Want to process how you can talk about Epstein with the kids in your life? Sign up here to get Decaf: The Pour Over for Families in your inbox tomorrow!)

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CHOOSE HUMILITY
When discussing divisive topics, such as the release of the Epstein files, remember that both your stance and how you take your stance reflect on Christ.

“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense.” 
James 3:17 (CSB) (read full passage)

Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was sentenced to death on Monday for violently suppressing student protests in 2024.

The U.N. estimates that Bangladesh’s security forces killed up to 1,400 people and injured thousands during a three-week-long clash last summer, allegedly under then-Prime Minister Hasina’s orders. Protests were sparked by government-job hiring practices that favored relatives of those who fought in Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War (read more background here)… but even after policies changed, job-market challenges and inflation kept younger generations demonstrating.

Hasina, who led Bangladesh from 1996-2001 and 2009-2024, called the judgment “biased and politically motivated.” She’s currently living in exile in India, which seems unlikely to agree to Bangladesh’s extradition request.

Bangladesh’s interim government called the verdict “historic” and upped domestic security, bracing for protests by Hasina’s supporters.

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ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
Christians live as strangers and exiles in our home countries, whether that temporary home is peaceful, disorderly, or somewhere in between. Seek the good of the city you’re passing through while eagerly anticipating your move to your permanent home.

“This is what the LORD of Armies, the God of Israel, says to all the exiles I deported from Jerusalem to Babylon: ‘Build houses and live in them. Plant gardens and eat their produce… Pursue the well-being of the city I have deported you to. Pray to the LORD on its behalf, for when it thrives, you will thrive.’”
Jeremiah 29:4-5, 7 (CSB) (read full passage)

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Jeff Bezos is getting back in the corner office.

The tech billionaire is shifting from same-day delivery to semiconductors, becoming the co-CEO of Project Prometheus, a $6.2B startup focused on AI that supports engineering and manufacturing industries (think: cars, spaceships). At a tech conference last month, Bezos, who co-founded space-travel company Blue Origin, said AI will be essential to “millions of people living in space.”

It’s Bezos’s first CEO role since he stepped down from Amazon in 2021—he’s sharing the executive letters with co-founder, physicist, and chemist Vik Bajaj.

Not everyone is impressed. Fellow space-focused billionaire and AI-startup founder Elon Musk called Bezos a “copycat” for joining the AI race. Musk’s comments came hours after SpaceX completed its 500th launch with a used rocket—a milestone SpaceX says is key in expanding commercial space travel. 

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Verse to consider whether you’re weighing a major career change or what to cook for dinner this week… “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his instructions have good insight. His praise endures forever.” 
Psalm 111:10 (CSB) (read full passage)

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) visited the White House yesterday (see pictures) for the first time since U.S. intelligence concluded he approved the 2018 murder of Washington Post Journalist Jamal Khashoggi. President Trump dismissed criticism of the visit, saying MBS “knew nothing” about Khashoggi’s death; meanwhile, MBS increased Saudi Arabia’s investment pledge in the U.S. from $600B to $1T.

A federal court blocked Texas from using its redrawn district map in the 2026 midterm elections, saying it disadvantaged racial minorities. The redrawn map was expected to give Republicans five more congressional races, prompting California to redraw its district map to favor Democrats in five other races. Texas Governor Abbott (R) promised a swift appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The U.N. Security Council is backing President Trump’s plan for Gaza. On Monday, the fifteen-member council approved the U.S. resolution that calls for an International Stabilization Force to demilitarize and temporarily govern Gaza. Russia and China abstained from the 13-0 vote—a diplomatic victory for Uncle Sam, who’s been one of Israel’s few staunch supporters.

“Hey Alexa, order diapers, protein powder, and an F-150, please.” Amazon shoppers can now buy certified pre-owned Ford vehicles. The automaker joined Hyundai on the e-commerce platform in an effort to serve customers who want to skip the haggling headaches. Customers can complete their purchase online, but must pick up their new ride from their selected dealer.

If you got two emails* from us yesterday, thank Cloudflare. Websites like X and ChatGPT, along with TPO’s trusty email platform, went down following a “spike in unusual traffic” around 6:20 a.m. ET that overloaded part of Cloudflare’s traffic-management system. The internet infrastructure company ruled out any malicious activity, and things were back to normal in a few hours.

*ICYMI, we were trying to send you an early Christmas present: our 2025 Gift Guide! Check it out here! 

She believed she could… so she did.

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