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In a move touted as a step toward transparency, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) under the Trump administration released transcripts of a two-day interview with convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein’s former associate.
However, the July 2025 sit-down, conducted by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche—previously Donald Trump’s criminal defense lawyer—has drawn sharp criticism for its surface-level questioning and failure to press Maxwell on explosive hints about Epstein’s network reaching into Trump’s current cabinet.
Critics, including former prosecutors and victims’ advocates, argue the interview prioritized damage control over accountability, leaving key details unexplored amid ongoing scrutiny of Epstein’s powerful connections.
The release comes amid political pressure on the Trump administration, which has faced backlash for its handling of Epstein-related files.
House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer praised the DOJ’s response to a congressional subpoena, noting it was “far faster than anything ever produced by the Biden DoJ.”
President Trump himself endorsed openness, stating, “I’m in support of them keeping it open.
Innocent people shouldn’t be hurt, but I’m in support of keeping it totally open.”
Yet, Democratic voices like Rep. Ro Khanna countered that only 3% of the provided documents were new, with less than 1% of total files released, accusing the DOJ of “stonewalling.”
Hints at Cabinet Ties and Unpursued Leads
During the interview, Blanche asked Maxwell if Epstein’s high-profile associates, including powerful men, sought him out for sexual encounters.
Maxwell responded that some “cast of characters” around Epstein were “in your cabinet, who you value as your co-workers.”
Remarkably, Blanche, known for his sharp courtroom tactics, did not follow up by asking for specific names.
Other moments highlighted Maxwell’s evasive responses and Blanche’s leniency.
When questioned about contact with Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency, Maxwell replied, “Well, not deliberately,” prompting only a brief clarification before Blanche shifted topics to Epstein’s potential funding from intelligence agencies.
On reports of Trump contributing a letter to Epstein’s birthday book, Maxwell claimed no recollection, adding that Epstein personally solicited some entries.
Again, Blanche did not probe whether Epstein directly approached Trump.
Maxwell also defended Trump, stating she never witnessed him in “any inappropriate way” and describing him as “a gentleman in all respects.”
She praised his character, saying he “became that man over a period of time” but denied seeing him receive massages or engage in misconduct.
Additionally, Maxwell reiterated her belief that Epstein was “murdered” in custody and claimed he possessed secret tapes of both Trump and Bill Clinton, a detail she reportedly shared years earlier.
| Key Quotes from Maxwell’s Interview | Source Context |
|---|---|
| “Some of the ‘cast of characters’ around Epstein were ‘in [Trump’s] cabinet’.” | Response to question on associates’ motives; no follow-up on names. |
| “Well, not deliberately.” | On Mossad contact; quickly dismissed. |
| “He was a gentleman in all respects.” | Defending Trump against misconduct allegations. |
| Epstein had “secret ‘tapes’ of BOTH Trump and Bill Clinton.” | Earlier investigator claim, reiterated in context of DOJ interview. |
Expert Critiques
Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani described Blanche’s approach as lacking depth, noting, “Many of Blanche’s questions were surface-level and didn’t drill down the way lawyers, especially prosecutors, do when they want to catch inconsistencies.”
Rahmani suggested Maxwell’s responses were calculated, given her Supreme Court appeal and hopes for a presidential pardon: “There was no world where Maxwell was going to implicate herself… or anyone in the administration.”
House Judiciary Democrats have demanded the full transcript and related materials, questioning if Maxwell’s post-interview transfer to a lower-security facility violated protocols.
This move, dubbed “club fed” by critics, has fueled accusations of favoritism.
A major point of contention is the exclusion of Epstein survivors.
Attorneys representing over 50 victims, including Lisa Bloom and Spencer Kuvin, confirmed no DOJ contact for interviews.
Bloom stated, “Despite the fact that we have successfully represented 11 Epstein victims, no one has reached out.”
Kuvin echoed, “The victims have been ignored in this entire process.”
Advocates Gretchen Carlson and Julie Roginsky criticized the victim-centric oversight, with Roginsky urging, “All we need to do is listen to these survivors as they tell us who these others are.”
Jennifer Freeman, special counsel at Marsh Law Firm, called Maxwell’s statements self-serving, adding survivors have been “left in the dark.”
The House Oversight Committee plans a bipartisan meeting with survivors on September 2, 2025, and Khanna will host a press conference on September 3 to amplify their calls for transparency.
Transparency vs. Stonewalling in the Epstein Saga
As pressure mounts, the DOJ declined comment on the interview’s style or victim outreach.
With Maxwell’s appeal pending and Epstein’s death still controversial—she insists it was murder—the case underscores tensions between justice and political influence.
Survivors and experts agree: True transparency requires naming names, hearing victims, and pursuing all leads, regardless of power.
Also Read: Princess Diana Now Gets Dragged Into The Trump-Epstein Scandal
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