James Talarico just finished his remarks here in Texas. And they should ricochet across the country.
When we teamed up with our friends at Institute for Primary Facts to take all 3.5 million Epstein files on the road across America, we wanted these pop-up exhibits to be more than just a symbol of defiance. We wanted them to be a platform for survivors, pro-democracy leaders, and dissenters to speak out at a moment when our democracy is at stake.
This morning, U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico did exactly that.
Rather than stay away from Dallas — where the GOP is holding its first-ever midterm convention and where Donald Trump is trying to reinforce his cult of personality — Talarico stormed the city and took the spotlight away from the president. He just wrapped up a press conference here at the Trump-Epstein Memorial Reading Room & Bookmobile, where he made the case that our government is being overtaken by unprecedented corruption.
He stood with Epstein survivors, Sharlene Rochard and Annie Farmer (sister of Maria Farmer) in demanding action from the federal government… and accountability for those in power who are protecting criminals and pedophiles. It’s not easy to do what they’re doing. Not easy at all. They’ve faced retaliation and sinister threats merely for reporting crimes. And they’ve had to deal with a Trump administration that has officially shut down their pleas for justice.
The price of dissent is historically high in America. I’ve felt it. I’ve faced threats of murder and accusations of “treason” for telling the truth about the madman in the White House. Opposition leaders have been violently attacked on the campaign trail. Protesters have been charged with fake crimes by their government and journalists have been arrested. That’s not a cost anyone should have to pay for “free speech.”
But this morning in Dallas, James Talarico and brave survivors of sexual abuse showed us that there’s only ONE way to restore America to a place where corruption is countered and courage is encouraged. There’s only ONE way to lower the price of dissent. And that’s to increase the supply.
Let their example be an inspiration.
Your friend, in defiance,
DEFIANCE DAILY
In case you missed it, last night’s episode of DEFIANCE Daily is below. Catch our next episode tonight at 5 pm ET!
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