ARE THERE ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS ASSOCIATED WITH JEFFREY EPSTEIN?

Ghislaine Maxwell hinted at Epstein’s ties to Trump officials. Why wasn’t she pressed for names? Yes Todd Blanche released audio and transcripts of his two day interview of Maxwell. Yes he claims to be pursuing total transparency from the DOJ. But like most things, actions speak louder than words. What he did not ask, what he has not done, speak louder than performative rhetoric. For example, Blanche asked Maxwell whether people around Epstein – including the numerous high-profile and powerful men who had known him – were associating with him for the purpose of sexual encounters. In her reply Maxwell said that some of the “cast of characters” around Epstein were “in your cabinet, who you value as your co-workers”. WHAT? Doesn’t that seem worthy of further questioning? Despite the fact that Maxwell had just openly mentioned Epstein associates as being in Trump’s current cabinet, Blanche – supposedly a hot-shot litigator– did not pause to ask Maxwell to identify the cabinet members she was referring to. Blanche also seemed to indulge Maxwell’s repeated professions of spotty recollection, including in response to questions about whether Trump penned a letter for Epstein’s birthday book, as had been reported by the WSJ. Blanche, prefacing a question with the phrase, “I understand you don’t remember anything with President Trump or a lot about the book anyway,” asked: “Do you remember asking President Trump to submit a letter for that?” Maxwell said: “I do not.” “Do you remember – would you have been the one to do that or could somebody else – would somebody else have done that?” Blanche asked. “I did ask some people. I don’t remember Mr Trump. I don’t remember who I did ask, but Epstein also asked people himself directly.” Blanche responded: “OK.” He did not pursue the obvious line of thought that Maxwell’s response suggested: had Epstein reached out to Trump? Softball. This guy was a prosecutor and this is the best he could manage? And even he had pushed back, there is no world where Maxwell was going to implicate herself or anyone in the administration when she has her SCOTUS appeal. And trying to get a presidential pardon. Also, no one is doubting that Epstein trafficked young girls. Nobody is doubting that Epstein was not the only man who raped these young girls. So why wouldn’t the DOJ want to hear from survivors who can tell them who the other sex buyers were? Why don’t they talk to them? Fortunately the House oversight committee says it is in contact with Epstein survivors and that there will be a bipartisan meeting with them on 2 September. And there will be a press conference with survivors on 3 September to “hear from them why releasing this information is so important”. Asked about Blanche’s interview style or whether there had been any outreach to victims, the DOJ said “no comment.” Which would indicate a continued reluctance to pursue any potentially dangerous truth. I guess we’ll see.