Full Breakdown
Congressman Accuses DOJ of Favoring Ghislaine Maxwell While Ignoring Epstein Survivors
5/25/2026, 9:36:21 PM
Allegations of DOJ Stonewalling
Rep. Daniel Goldman publicly accused Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche of protecting Maxwell and refusing to meet survivors.
Background & Context
Jeffrey Epstein’s sex-trafficking network, for which Ghislaine Maxwell serves a 20-year sentence, has spurred a congressional push for full release of related records after President Donald Trump signed a law mandating their disclosure.
Key Actors & Groups
Rep. Daniel Goldman, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, convicted trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell, survivors (including Virginia Giuffre’s family), former Attorney General Pam Bondi, and former Epstein aide Sarah Kellen.
Timeline of Recent Developments
- February 2024: House Judiciary hearing where survivors stood and Bondi testified.
- Week before: Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing with Blanche.
- After Blanche’s interview, Maxwell moved from a low-security Florida prison to a minimum-security Texas facility.
- Six months after Trump’s law, about 2.5 million records remain withheld.
Data & Statistics
Maxwell is serving a 20-year sentence. Approximately 2.5 million Epstein-related records stay withheld; released files are heavily redacted. The Justice Department cites privilege, ongoing investigations, or duplication as reasons for non-disclosure.
Official Statements & Responses
Blanche said any victim wishing to speak with the Justice Department has already done so and he would not support a pardon for Maxwell. He denied Trump personally directed his interview with Maxwell or that he knew of special treatment at the Texas facility. Bondi called the survivors’ presence “theatrics.” The Justice Department defended withholding documents on grounds of privilege, active investigations, or duplication.
Criticism & Opposition
Goldman accused the DOJ of “taking good care of Ghislaine Maxwell” while stonewalling survivors, calling it a “massive, massive coverup.” Survivors said the department forces them to revisit trauma without transparent file access, urging direct meetings with officials and attorneys. Goldman linked the slow, selective release to a broader effort to conceal information damaging to Trump.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
DOJ claims some withheld materials are duplicates; Goldman demanded their release, saying “If they’re duplicates, turn them over.” Blanche’s assertion that all victims who want to speak have done so conflicts with survivors raising hands indicating they have not met DOJ officials. No public evidence confirms whether Trump personally directed Blanche’s interview with Maxwell.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Any victim that wants to speak with the department has done so.” — Todd Blanche, Acting Attorney General
- “If they’re duplicates, turn them over.” — Daniel Goldman, U.S. Representative
- “This coverup is going to be uncovered one way or another,” — Daniel Goldman, U.S. Representative
- “theatrics.” — Pam Bondi, former Attorney General
What’s Next
Congressional oversight may prompt further hearings on the Justice Department’s handling of Epstein files. Survivors continue to request direct meetings with DOJ officials; the department has not indicated a policy shift. The pending release of the remaining 2.5 million records remains subject to the DOJ’s cited exemptions of privilege, active investigations, or duplication.