It’s been an honor and a privilege to write for the Hawaii Filipino Chronicle over the years. The Hawaii Filipino Chronicle has been a vital newspaper and resource for the Filipino community, providing readers with valuable information and knowledge through its stories and articles.
Congratulations to Publisher Charlie Sonido and Managing Editor Chona for the work and effort they have invested and contributed to the Hawaii Filipino Chronicle.
Free speech and freedom of the press are two necessary components of any society, and in today’s political environment, the voice of the loyal opposition and the unsatisfied electorate must continue and express the truth.
The Sonidos are to be applauded for their tireless energy over the decades.
As we end 2025 and the first year of Donald Trump’s second term, we see ourselves and our nation going down a path it has never ventured on.
A bad tariff policy, rising consumer prices, an unpredictable economy, questionable foreign policy decisions, ICE issues, and a strong appetite by the American people for the Epstein files have rocked the dictator-like and authoritarian figure Trump aspires to be.
The racist and bigoted policies against Hispanics and other people of color have brought a backlash against ICE officers and the Trump administration, and we must never tolerate or accept the behavior of ICE officers in our cities and towns when their actions violate our constitutional rights and bring fear and panic to our families and neighborhoods.
Hopefully, the federal courts and judges will be the balancing act and authority that brings the Trump administration under control and stops some of the foolishness of the current regime.
Decisions by the courts have already impacted national guard deployments, wrongful federal firings, undocumented migrants, and tariffs, and I suspect more rational, reasonable decisions to come.
Polls have shown Trump’s approval ratings falling, and the partial release of the Epstein files has brought more interest and scrutiny to this subject matter.
I seriously believe this could be the beginning of the end of a tyrannical Trump as Congress votes on releasing the Epstein files so the public can determine the gravity of the information available and who was involved and in what capacity.
The Trump presidency is now the target as the world tries to find emails or evidence implicating Trump with possible sexual crimes against minors.
The Trump and Epstein relationship was a strong friendly time between the two men, and the vast amount of articles, photos, and videos of the two men together certainly are proof of a bond they shared.
We can’t forget that Donald Trump is a convicted felon, and had he lost the last election, there is a possibility that he would have been placed in jail or prison for his crimes.
Now he is trying to clear his name from the Epstein nightmare, and Trump’s efforts are failing as Congress gets more involved and seeks more information.
There are lawsuits, allegations, and stories about Trump and his alleged playboy lifestyle and his early days with Jeffrey Epstein.
It has been difficult to nail any situation or circumstance to the president since he has been in office for a second term, and his team has the power to create obstacles, delays, and roadblocks to meet its agenda.
But the current hysteria about the Epstein files won’t go away as Trump’s base (MAGA) demands answers.
The falling-out between Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene is one example of Trump’s problems as a once loyal supporter of Trump has now announced her resignation from Congress due to the situation in Washington DC.
In 2026, many questions will be answered if the Epstein files are released in their entirety, as Congress is predicted to vote for. Donald Trump’s presidency will falter or go forward based on the evidence found.
Will Trump be implicated in a high-stakes sex trafficking ring or not? Did Trump have sexual relations with underage teens?
The answers might be in the Epstein files, and as the 2026 midterm elections approach, many people are anxiously waiting for the hammer to fall.
This year has been filled with unpredictability and one questionable decision after another in the current Trump administration.
Next year will be the same. Whatever comes next will certainly be headline news that can impact the next election cycle.
There is much riding on the release of the full unredacted Epstein files. Has the DOJ and FBI scrubbed the Epstein files to protect Donald Trump?
Will Donald Trump try to stop the release or is he willing to allow the public to view the documents and messages?
The future of his presidency and his legacy are now center stage for 2026.
Whatever the outcome, Donald Trump has shown that actions have consequences and past indiscretions and behavior could be exposed and possibly end his political career as we know it today.
Happy Holidays to all!
WILL ESPERO retired from the Hawaii legislature after serving 19 years in the state House of Representatives and state Senate. He is currently a novelist, poet, and supporter of the arts. Lingering Thoughts provides a glimpse of his perspective on current events and issues.
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