Judge Blocks Lawmakers' Bid to Appoint Special Master for Epstein Files Release

Is the DOJ protecting Trump allies by blocking Epstein files or conducting a lawful review process?

Published 15 hours ago

Judge Blocks Lawmakers' Bid to Appoint Special Master for Epstein Files Release

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Above: U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), right, and U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) on Nov. 18, 2025. Image credit: Heather Diehl/Getty Images

The Spin

Establishment-critical narrative

It seems as though the Trump administration is deliberately blocking the release of the Epstein files to protect powerful allies, despite a federal law that required full release a week ago. With 500 reviewers supposedly working around the clock, there's no legitimate reason for this stonewalling except protecting Trump and his circle from damaging revelations.

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Pro-establishment narrative

Engelmayer correctly rejected this attempt to bypass the legal process and appoint special oversight for Epstein file releases. The court has no authority to police DOJ compliance in a closed criminal case, and Congress members lack standing to intervene. The DOJ is conducting a massive review of millions of pages while protecting victim privacy as required by law.

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