Kash Patel and the Epstein Files Firestorm
FBI Director Kash Patel is facing backlash after the Justice Department quietly released a memo concluding Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide and that no client list exists...
The Rebel Yellow - Issue #97
FBI Director Kash Patel is facing backlash after the Justice Department quietly released a memo concluding Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide and that no client list exists — a reversal that has drawn criticism from both Democrats and Trump’s own allies. The move has sparked new scrutiny over missing video footage, alleged editing, and the administration’s transparency. Meanwhile, Rep. Ro Khanna is leading a bipartisan push to release all Epstein-related records. Also in this issue: Philly’s Chinatown Stitch loses federal funding, a Chinese American vet is arrested in a Texas ICE ambush, and Suni Lee earns national honors for her Olympic comeback.
Kash Patel takes heat as Trump admin battles Epstein files firestorm
FBI Director Kash Patel has found himself under scrutiny after the Trump administration’s abrupt reversal on releasing the Jeffrey Epstein files sparked rare criticism from the president’s own supporters.
About the files
The controversy revolves around thousands of pages of FBI documents concerning Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier who died in federal custody in 2019 while facing sex-trafficking charges. Epstein was charged with trafficking dozens of girls — some as young as 14 — and engaging in sex acts with them through a network that included his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year prison sentence.
The case has spawned years of conspiracy theories about a potential “client list” of prominent figures who allegedly participated in Epstein’s crimes. However, the Justice Department released a memo earlier this month stating that “this systemic review revealed no incriminating ‘client list’” and that investigators “did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties.”
Lighting the match
The ongoing political firestorm traces its roots to February when Attorney General Pam Bondi distributed what she termed “declassified” Epstein records to MAGA influencers, though she acknowledged most had been “previously leaked but never released in a formal capacity.” On March 14, Bondi told Fox News that the Epstein files were “sitting on my desk right now.”
The situation reached a breaking point on July 7 when the Justice Department quietly released a memo determining Epstein died by suicide and concluding that no client list existed. The memo included about 11 hours of footage from Epstein’s cell, but viewers quickly noticed about a minute of footage was missing, fueling further speculation. The transparency problems deepened when Wired reported that as much as two minutes and 53 seconds was missing from the source file, and that the video had been edited with Adobe Premiere. This contradicted the administration’s initial claims that surveillance videos were not working, raising questions about why edited footage was presented as evidence.
Patel vows “no cover-ups”
Prior to becoming FBI Director, Patel was a strong advocate for releasing the Epstein files. In 2023, he told BlazeTV’s Glenn Beck that “one subpoena to the FBI” would force release of the alleged list, adding, “Put on your big boy pants and let us know who the pedophiles are.” During his January confirmation hearing, U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) praised his nomination specifically because he would reveal Epstein details. Patel promised at the time, “I will do everything, if confirmed as FBI director, to make sure the American public knows the full weight of what happened.” In February, Patel pledged on X that “there will be no cover-ups, no missing documents and no stone left unturned” regarding the Epstein investigation.
By May, however, Patel defended the conclusion that Epstein killed himself, telling Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo, “You know a suicide when you see one, and that’s what that was.” As reports circulated about potential resignations over the controversy, Patel — one of the administration’s top AAPI officials — posted on X on July 12, “The conspiracy theories just aren’t true, never have been. It’s an honor to serve the President of the United States @realDonaldTrump — and I’ll continue to do so for as long as he calls on me.”
What Trump is saying
Trump, for his part, has grown increasingly frustrated with continued questions about the Epstein files, particularly as the video evidence controversy exposed transparency problems within his administration. On July 8, he called a reporter’s question about the disgraced financier a “desecration” while tragedies like Texas flooding were ongoing. In a Truth Social post on July 12, Trump defended Bondi while expressing displeasure with his supporters: “What’s going on with my ‘boys’ and, in some cases, ‘gals?’ They’re all going after Attorney General Pam Bondi, who is doing a FANTASTIC JOB.” The president also blamed Democrats for creating the files, writing, “They created the Epstein Files, just like they created the FAKE Hillary Clinton/Christopher Steele Dossier.”
By Tuesday, Trump told reporters he did not understand continued interest in the files, saying “only pretty bad people” were keeping the backlash going. He escalated his comments in an interview with Real America’s Voice on Wednesday, calling the Epstein files controversy a “hoax” and describing Republican supporters questioning his administration’s handling as “stupid” and “foolish.” He also doubled down on Democrats and former officials supposedly doctoring the Epstein files, claiming, “I can imagine what they put into files.”
For now, the controversy shows no signs of abating as Democratic lawmakers have demanded congressional hearings featuring Patel and other top officials.
Indian American lawmaker leads bipartisan push for full release of Epstein files
Rep. Ro Khanna of California is leading a bipartisan effort to force the Trump administration and Attorney General Pam Bondi to release all federal records related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.
Republicans block release
On July 15, Khanna introduced an amendment to a government spending bill that would have required the Justice Department to make all Epstein files public within 30 days. The amendment was rejected in the House Rules Committee by a close 6-5 vote, with only Republican Rep. Ralph Norman of South Carolina joining Democrats in support. Later that day, a procedural motion to bring the measure to a full House vote failed by a single vote, 211-210, mostly along party lines.
Call for bipartisan backing
After the failed vote, Khanna partnered with Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky to launch a discharge petition aimed at forcing a vote on the Epstein Files Transparency Act. This process allows a bill to bypass committee if it gathers 218 signatures from House members. Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Eric Burlison of Missouri have announced they will sign the petition, and Massie said five additional Republicans back the underlying bill. If all Democrats and at least six Republicans sign on, the House would be required to hold a vote. Discharge petitions are rarely successful because House leadership typically discourages majority party members from participating.
Accountability debate
Khanna has framed the effort as a test of congressional accountability. “This is a matter of whose side are you on. Are you for protecting rich and powerful men or are you for making sure that there's accountability given that they abused, assaulted and abandoned young girls? A nation that does not hold powerful men accountable is a nation that has lost its moral purpose,” Khanna told Newsweek. “I am going to fight with everything I can just to make sure that this file gets released.”
Trump nominates another Asian American lawyer for appellate bench
President Donald Trump has nominated Eric Tung, a Jones Day partner based in Los Angeles, for a seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, becoming his seventh AAPI appellate appointee if confirmed.
What you need to know
Tung, a former federal prosecutor and ex-Justice Department Office of Legal Policy counsel, is expected to fill a position on the San Francisco-based 9th Circuit. He previously served as a law clerk for Supreme Court Justices Neil Gorsuch and Antonin Scalia, who died in 2016.
In announcing the pick, Trump called him “a Tough Patriot, who will uphold the Rule of Law in the most RADICAL, Leftist States like California, Oregon and Washington.” The nomination represents Trump’s 14th judicial pick in his second term, including four for appeals courts.
Why this matters
Though Trump named fewer minorities to the federal bench overall compared to his predecessors, he has significantly increased Asian American representation. By the end of his first term, he had nominated six — Amul Thapar, James Ho, Neomi Rao, Michael Park, Kenneth Lee and Patrick Bumatay — of the 11 active circuit judges who identified as Asian American or Pacific Islander.
Should Tung be confirmed, most of Trump’s AAPI appellate picks would serve in circuits that include states with large Asian American populations, including California, New York and Texas. His immediate Republican predecessor, George W. Bush, made no Asian American or Pacific Islander appointments to lifetime appellate positions.
Crypto concerns
A government watchdog group has raised concerns about Tung’s extensive work for cryptocurrency companies and potential conflicts of interest. Accountable.US reports that he has represented numerous crypto firms seeking to avoid government regulation, including work for a stablecoin provider and the Blockchain Association. With Trump’s crypto holdings valued at roughly $2.9 billion — nearly 40% of his total wealth — critics contend the nomination could financially benefit the Trump family.
Tung’s nomination now heads to the Senate for confirmation proceedings.
Philly’s Chinatown Stitch project in jeopardy after “One Big Beautiful Bill” guts funding
Philadelphia’s $160 million Chinatown Stitch project faces an uncertain future after President Donald Trump’s recently signed One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) appears to have eliminated most of its federal funding.
Catch up: The Chinatown Stitch would cover a 2.5-block stretch of the Vine Street Expressway between 10th and 13th Streets, establishing green space and linking Chinatown with northern neighborhoods. Work launched in 2023 using $1.8 million in federal money plus $2.2 million from local, state and Knight Foundation contributions. The project secured $158 million in federal grants in March 2024 under the Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods program, with construction originally projected to begin in January 2027.
The latest: About $8.3 million for planning has been secured and remains available. However, 95% of construction funds — $150.5 million — appears lost due to the new federal law. “The money for the construction of [the stitch] has been removed in the bill,” Councilmember Mark Squilla told the Philadelphia Inquirer. PennDOT and city transportation officials have yet to receive official word from federal authorities about the funding changes.
What’s next: Planning and design work continues over the next 18 months while officials search for alternative funding sources. “Let’s move forward,” Squilla told CBS Philadelphia, adding, “We are not going to let this project die.” Meanwhile, the city said it is “encouraged by the level of support for the Chinatown Stitch Project from other intergovernmental stakeholders” and will “energetically be looking for additional funding sources.”
President J.D. Vance, whose tie-breaking Senate vote helped the OBBBA advance, visited Pennsylvania on Wednesday to promote the legislation’s tax breaks.
Asian American vet accused in ICE ambush captured in Dallas
Benjamin Song, a former U.S. Marine Corps reservist wanted for his alleged role in a July 4 attack on an ICE detention center, was arrested by FBI agents in Dallas on Tuesday, ending a weeklong manhunt.
Catch up: Song, 32, is accused in the coordinated ambush at the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado that left a police officer shot in the neck. The attack involved 10 to 12 individuals wearing black military-style gear who launched fireworks toward the facility and vandalized vehicles to draw officers outside. Song allegedly purchased four guns linked to the shooting, including two AR-15-style rifles found in nearby woods where he is believed to have been positioned during the attack. A statewide Blue Alert was issued July 9 after he evaded capture, prompting his addition to the Texas 10 Most Wanted list with up to $35,000 in rewards offered.
Arrest details: FBI SWAT teams arrested Song without incident at the Meadowcrest Apartments in Far North Dallas late Tuesday afternoon alongside Department of Public Safety and local SWAT teams. He was booked into Johnson County Jail on a $15 million bond. He faces three counts of attempted murder of federal agents and three counts of discharging a firearm during a violent crime. A second person was simultaneously apprehended at a different location, bringing the total arrests to 15.
The suspect’s past: Song, the son of a lawyer and a martial arts studio program director, previously faced charges including a 2020 arrest in Austin for aggravated assault against a public servant during protests and a 2023 lawsuit naming him as a member of the anti-fascist Elm Fork John Brown Gun Club involved in a counter-protest at a Fort Worth drag show. If convicted in the latest case, he faces 10 years to life behind bars.
Acting U.S. Attorney Nancy E. Larson said the individuals involved in the attack “will be prosecuted, and we expect justice will be swift.”
U. of Michigan faces fed probe after Chinese scientists charged with smuggling fungus
The U.S. Department of Education has launched a federal investigation into the University of Michigan following the recent charges against two Chinese scientists connected to the school, as well as a third case involving the alleged smuggling of biological materials. Officials announced Tuesday that the probe will examine Michigan’s handling of foreign funding and possible national security risks.
Driving the news: In a statement, the department called the charges against postdoctoral fellow Yunqing Jian and visiting researcher Zunyong Liu “highly disturbing” and warned that the university’s research laboratories remain vulnerable to sabotage by foreign actors. The investigation follows the June charges against Jian and Liu and comes just weeks after a third Chinese national, Chengxuan Han, was accused of sending biological specimens to a university lab without authorization.
Scope of the investigation: The Education Department’s investigation is focused on whether the university accurately disclosed foreign funding and enforced proper security measures in its research operations. Investigators have requested financial records, contracts and information about foreign-backed projects from the past five years, stating that the university has underreported foreign contributions and failed to classify some sources appropriately.
University response: University of Michigan officials say they are fully cooperating with investigators and denounce any activity that could threaten national security. Interim President Domenico Grasso said the university is committed to transparency and legal compliance. Some advocacy groups and faculty have raised concerns that while only a small number of individuals have faced criminal charges, the investigation could contribute to growing suspicion toward Chinese and Chinese American scholars.
Trump-inspired “Japanese First” party gains ground in Japan
Sanseito, a Japanese populist party that draws inspiration from Donald Trump’s politics, is gaining support ahead of Sunday’s upper house elections, suggesting a notable shift in the country’s traditionally centrist landscape.
State of play: Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s ruling coalition could lose its upper house majority in the upcoming vote, repeating last year’s lower house setback that left the Liberal Democratic Party — Japan’s dominant party for the past seven decades — struggling to maintain power. At present, the country’s struggling economy and currency have attracted record numbers of tourists, further increasing prices that families find difficult to afford. Sanseito’s rise reflects widespread economic frustrations as most parties promise tax cuts to address rising costs.
Enter Sanseito: Sanseito, which began on YouTube during the COVID-19 pandemic peddling conspiracy theories, is now expected to secure 10 to 15 seats with its “Japanese First” platform, marking a significant jump for a party that currently holds just two seats. Leader Sohei Kamiya, a former supermarket manager and English teacher, told Reuters that he draws inspiration from Trump’s “bold political style.” For one, the party opposes what it describes as a “silent invasion” of immigrants, even though foreign-born residents make up just 3% of Japan’s population — far less than in the U.S. and Europe.
The big picture: Observers believe anti-foreign sentiment is now more openly discussed in the country. Meanwhile, the Japanese government believes Tokyo is “becoming a target” of foreign election interference through social media. Sanseito currently faces scrutiny after candidate Saya appeared on Russian state media Sputnik, raising concerns about foreign interference and prompting Kamiya to demand staff resignations.
Beijing tightens internet surveillance with digital ID system launch
The Chinese government activated its centralized digital ID platform on Tuesday, expanding state control over the internet and granting authorities broader power to identify, monitor and censor more than 1 billion online users across the country.
How the system works
The new digital ID system, introduced by the Ministry of Public Security, the Cyberspace Administration of China and other agencies, requires users to verify their identity using official documents, facial scans and mobile phone technology. After verification, users receive an encrypted certificate, or “internet number,” that is tied to all of their online accounts. Major platforms such as Weibo, Taobao and Xiaohongshu have integrated the system, linking each account to a unique code. While the code does not share the user’s name or government ID with the platform, it allows authorities to connect all activity to a real identity.
The rollout expands on long-standing surveillance programs such as the Great Firewall and Golden Shield Project. Earlier requirements for real-name registration on SIM cards and internet accounts are now unified under the new system. The system eliminates most forms of online anonymity and extends the reach of real-name registration rules first introduced in 2016.
Rising concerns over censorship
Although described by officials as voluntary, experts warn that widespread adoption across platforms will soon leave most people with no practical choice but to participate. Privacy advocates warn that concentrating personal data increases the risk of leaks and abuse by both the state and criminals. Centralized verification enables authorities to track individual online activity in real time, making it easier to enforce censorship or limit access on a personal level.
Human rights organizations including ARTICLE 19 and Chinese Human Rights Defenders have criticized the system as a direct threat to online freedom. Shane Yi of Chinese Human Rights Defenders said, “Internet users across China already endure heavy censorship ... The new Internet ID regulations escalate Beijing’s attack on free speech.” Legal experts warn that the digital ID is designed to monitor all online activity, giving the government a digital tool to silence dissent.
Suni Lee honored for comeback after kidney disease
Gymnast Sunisa “Suni” Lee, the first Hmong American Olympian and the first Asian American woman to win Olympic all-around gold, was named Best Comeback Athlete at the 2025 ESPYs in Los Angeles on Wednesday. The 22-year-old received the honor after overcoming a year of serious health challenges, including a 2023 diagnosis of two rare kidney diseases that halted her gymnastics career at Auburn University.
Lee accepted the honor at the Dolby Theatre, expressing gratitude to her doctors and support team for their role in her recovery. “When I was diagnosed with two rare kidney diseases, I was told I'd never compete again,” Lee said in her remarks. “But I refuse to believe that ... From hospital beds to three Olympic medals in Paris, this is proof that no setback can stop you if you don't stop fighting.”
Yuki Kawamura orchestrates in Vegas NBA Summer League: Memphis Grizzlies guard Yuki Kawamura, now in his second year in the NBA, showcased his electrifying skill set during the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas by contributing 6 points, 6 assists and 2 steals in a game against the Milwaukee Bucks in just 24 minutes, earning him his own highlight reel after the match.
Jet Li opens up about death and explains why he avoids funerals
International superstar Jet Li recently shared his perspective on death and explained why he chooses not to attend funerals in an interview with Chinese magazine Sanlian Lifeweek. At 62, Li described how he has come to accept the impermanence of life as a natural and inevitable part of the human experience. When asked if he ever felt sorrow or regret after losing loved ones, the Buddhist actor said, “Why should we feel sad or regretful? I believe such emotions only exist for avatars trapped in a game.”
Li explained that while others may be accustomed to mourning in traditional ways, he personally avoids attending funerals. “Some say I’m heartless or have no feelings, but I always tell them no one gets through life without losing a loved one,” he said. He emphasized acceptance of death as a universal experience, adding, “Who in this world can avoid experiencing the departure of their loved ones?”
Li shared that he has already made funeral arrangements for himself and his wife. Encouraging others to focus on life rather than fear death, Li said, “If I know I’m going to die, should I spend every day worrying about it, or should I cherish each moment? I believe living each day to the fullest is far more important.”
Michelle Yeoh to headline English version of blockbuster animated film “Ne Zha 2”
Michelle Yeoh will lead the English-language voice cast of “Ne Zha 2,” the sequel to the hit Chinese animated film that broke box office records in China. She will be joined by Crystal Lee, Vincent Rodriguez III and Aleks Le in the adaptation, which is set to premiere in theaters across the U.S., Canada, Australia and New Zealand on August 22.
“Ne Zha 2” follows the mythological hero Ne Zha as he battles an ancient threat to humanity. The English version will be released in both 3D and IMAX formats. Yeoh, who will voice Nezha’s mother, described the project as a landmark for Chinese animation and an opportunity to share universal stories with new audiences. The original Mandarin version was directed by Jiaozi and became the highest-grossing animated film worldwide, earning over $2.085 billion globally.
Lucy Liu joins "The Devil Wears Prada 2"
Lucy Liu has been cast in "The Devil Wears Prada 2," joining the sequel to the 2006 hit film, reported Variety. Liu is expected to appear alongside returning stars Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt, who are reportedly in talks to reprise their original roles. Other newcomers to the franchise include Chinese American Broadway actress Helen J. Shen and Filipino American actor Conrad Ricamora. Details about the roles for Liu, Shen and Ricamora have not been announced. Production and release dates for the film have not yet been set.
Historic 114-year-old Chinese restaurant in Montana could close
After 114 years of serving Chinese American comfort food, the Pekin Noodle Parlor in Butte, Montana, one of America’s oldest continuously operating Chinese restaurants and the oldest still run by the same family, may soon close as fifth-generation owner Jerry Tam contemplates retirement. Founded in 1909 by Tam’s great-great-grandfather, the restaurant is a rare surviving landmark of Montana’s early Chinese American community which once flourished despite facing severe discrimination. With Tam expressing a desire for a new life beyond the family business, the future of this historic institution and its connection to a fading cultural legacy now hangs in the balance. Read the full story on how the Pekin’s potential closure reflects the challenges of preserving heritage in changing times.