3. Why It’s Bad (or Not)

This isn't just "bad"; it's a meticulously crafted tapestry of political self-preservation woven with threads of holiday cheer and thinly veiled threats. Here's why:

• The Festive Blame Game: What says "Merry Christmas" better than accusing a vast, unnamed swathe of people of being Epstein associates and part of a "Radical Left Witch Hunt"? It's a bold choice for holiday greetings, certainly.
• Selective Accountability: President Trump adamantly states he was the only one to drop Epstein. Yet, the article mentions Trump's name appearing hundreds of times in files, partying with Epstein at Mar-a-Lago, and claims from a federal prosecutor that Trump flew on Epstein’s private jet "many more times than previously has been reported." This creates a fascinating disconnect between official record and public pronouncement.
• The "Witch Hunt" Card: Labeling ongoing investigations into a convicted sex offender as a "Radical Left Witch Hunt" is a classic political maneuver. It attempts to discredit the process and those involved, rather than addressing the substance of the revelations.
• The Media as Co-Conspirator: The insinuation that The New York Times is somehow protecting "friends" through its reporting, despite the files hurting them, suggests a level of conspiratorial thinking that would make a spy novelist blush. It's a convenient narrative that undermines legitimate journalism.

People

Such rhetoric further polarizes an already fractured populace. It normalizes using holidays as platforms for political mudslinging, eroding any remaining pretense of shared civic respect. For those genuinely seeking justice and accountability regarding Epstein's heinous crimes, this kind of political maneuvering adds confusion and casts doubt on the integrity of the process, potentially causing further psychological distress.

Corruption Risk

The danger here is a subtle but potent one. By painting investigations into powerful individuals as politically motivated "witch hunts," the public's trust in institutional oversight is weakened. This creates an environment where actual corruption can more easily hide behind claims of partisan persecution. Furthermore, the tactic of blaming a nebulous "Radical Left" for inconvenient truths deflects attention from the systemic issues that allowed Epstein's network to operate for so long.

Short-Sighted Decisions

This decision prioritizes immediate political defense and partisan point-scoring above all else. It generates a brief surge of loyalty among supporters and animosity among critics, but does nothing to foster long-term civic health. Instead, it deepens the trenches of political division, making it harder to address any genuine issues that arise from the Epstein files. It’s a classic case of kicking the can down a very bumpy, highly visible road.