Overview of House Considers Epstein Files & Thomas Crooks Questions | 11.18.25
This Morning Wire episode (Daily Wire — Nov 18, 2025) covers three headline stories: the House vote to force release of Jeffrey Epstein–related files, new claims raising questions about Thomas Crooks (the suspect in the July 2024 assassination attempt on Donald Trump), and evolving U.S. policy/tension with Venezuela under Nicolás Maduro. The show features reporting and analysis from Daily Wire staffers and summarizes political dynamics, new allegations, official pushback, and near-term actions to watch.
Epstein files: House vote and political fallout
- What’s happening
- The House scheduled a vote (Nov 18) on whether to release long-sought Epstein-related files. A petition forcing the vote reached 218 signatures after four Republicans joined all Democrats, compelling GOP leadership to allow the vote.
- Background & why it matters
- The files have been a bipartisan political flashpoint for years; both sides expect material that could embarrass opponents.
- President Trump initially opposed releasing the files (following earlier campaign promises of transparency) but publicly urged Republicans to vote yes shortly before the vote — a reversal attributed to mounting political pressure.
- Political dynamics
- Polling cited: roughly 75% of Republicans want the files released; Trump’s handling approval on this issue was said to be around 40% (far below his typical approval among Republicans).
- GOP lawmakers feared electorally damaging optics if the House overruled Trump publicly; his last-minute support gave them cover.
- Republicans argue Democrats previously had possession of many of the same materials and point to released emails that they claim support Trump’s innocence (examples cited from Epstein emails used in political messaging).
- Key voices
- Cabot Phillips (Daily Wire) outlined the procedural background and political pressures.
- Rep. Don Bacon quoted urging to “rip the Band-Aid off” and get release done.
Thomas Crooks: new allegations, sources, and demands for transparency
- New claims
- Media figures on the right (including Joe Rogan, Elon Musk, Tucker Carlson, Miranda Devine) are pointing to a confidential source who allegedly accessed 17 of Crooks’s online accounts (Gmail, YouTube, Snapchat, etc.) and found material that contradicts earlier public descriptions of him.
- Alleged findings include a 2019/2020 ideological shift (from pro-Trump at 15 to anti-Trump and fantasizing about violent acts by 2020), activity on pornographic “furry” sites, and use of they/them pronouns.
- Why this matters
- Early FBI/DOJ briefings had portrayed Crooks as having a limited online footprint and being a lone actor with no clear political motive. The newly reported materials (if verified) would complicate that narrative and raise questions about the completeness of public disclosures.
- Calls for action
- Conservative lawmakers and commentators are demanding release of more materials: cell phone records (beyond metadata), social-media histories, interviews, and transcripts. Senator John Kennedy suggested re-calling officials for testimony under oath.
- Official responses
- The FBI/DOJ pushed back on the characterization that Crooks had “no online footprint.” An official (named in reporting as Cash Patel) said large resources were used in the probe and that investigators found Crooks to be a lone actor with no evidence he leaked plans or coordinated with others.
- What to watch
- Whether the FBI/DOJ release fuller records or hold additional briefings/hearings; whether any corroboration of the confidential-source claims emerges.
Venezuela: possible talks, designations, and military posture
- Recent developments
- President Trump said talks with Nicolás Maduro “could happen,” while the administration continues pressure on Maduro’s regime.
- Secretary/Representative Marco Rubio announced a U.S. designation of the “Cartel de los Soles” (Maduro-linked organization) as a foreign terrorist organization; the designation was to take effect Nov 24.
- What the designation means
- It would permit targeting of cartel assets (and potentially government assets that overlap with cartel infrastructure) and unlock financial and military levers, including authorization for strikes on cartel assets if ordered.
- Signals from Maduro
- Maduro publicly called for “peace,” staged a large rally, and performed “Imagine” — interpreted as an attempt at political theater and de-escalation amid pressure.
- U.S. posture
- The U.S. reportedly has significant regional forces (15,000 troops plus major naval assets, including a large aircraft carrier). The U.S. earlier doubled the bounty on Maduro to $50 million and reportedly authorized CIA operations targeting his inner circle.
- News reports indicate high-level internal discussions about potential strikes and other options, involving senior officials.
- Possible outcomes
- Continued escalation via sanctions/designation; covert/kinetic actions; or negotiations leading to some diplomatic resolution depending on how pressure and talks progress.
- Near-term timeline
- Cartel de los Soles designation effective Nov 24 — a key date to watch.
Notable quotes & soundbites
- On transparency: “The train has left the station on this. Let’s rip the Band-Aid off and get it done.” — Rep. Don Bacon (as quoted).
- From released Epstein emails mentioned in coverage: Epstein allegedly called Trump “dangerous” and said “none as bad as Trump…not one decent cell in his body.” These emails were cited by both sides in different ways.
- On Venezuela: President Trump — “They would like to talk ... we may be discussing, we may be having some discussions with Maduro, and we'll see how that turns out.”
Main takeaways / What to watch next
- Epstein files: House vote (Nov 18) could force public release of files that have been politically explosive — expect immediate political fallout regardless of content.
- Thomas Crooks: New reporting claims contradict earlier official summaries; conservative figures are demanding fuller disclosure, and the FBI/DOJ denial of the “no footprint” line may not end calls for transparency or hearings.
- Venezuela: The Cartel de los Soles FTO designation (effective Nov 24) raises stakes — it expands U.S. options including strikes and financial penalties; watch for whether talks happen and for any operational moves by the U.S. military or intelligence assets.
- Overall: Each story centers on transparency and accountability (release of records, fuller briefings) and has potential near-term consequences for U.S. politics and foreign policy.
Credits / format
- Host: John Bickley (Daily Wire); contributors: Cabot Phillips, Megan Basham, Tim Pierce. Episode date: Nov 18, 2025.