A potential nomination of acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to lead the Justice Department full time could test a key Republican senator’s stated red line against supporting officials who have excused violence by US Capitol rioters. Senator Thom Tillis has pledged to vote against any nominees who have justified violence against police officers during the January 6th riot, stating that such a nominee would be “dead on arrival.” While Tillis has supported Blanche in his current role, he remains focused on examining Blanche’s background for any evidence of excusing the events of January 6th. The Justice Department’s recent move to throw out convictions against members of extremist groups involved in planning the Capitol riot may further complicate Blanche’s prospects.
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During a luncheon with Kennedy Center board members, a former president, whom the speaker expressed liking, reportedly stated, “I wish I did it. I wish I did,” referencing actions taken regarding Iran. The speaker further elaborated in the Oval Office, mentioning speaking with a former president who expressed a similar sentiment: “I wish I did what you did.” While refusing to identify the specific former president, the speaker indicated it was not George W. Bush and declined to confirm or deny if it was Bill Clinton, citing concerns about the individual facing political backlash due to “Trump derangement syndrome.”
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The article states that Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) claims the Department of Justice (DOJ) requested New Mexico investigators cease their inquiry into Jeffrey Epstein’s ranch in 2019, during the Trump administration. This assertion arises as New Mexico authorities, directed by state Attorney General Raúl Torrez, commence a search of the ranch following an allegation that Epstein ordered the burial of two foreign girls on the property. Comer questions how the government may have failed victims and delayed Epstein’s prosecution, noting that former Attorney General Bill Barr led the DOJ in 2019.
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The Department of Justice is currently reviewing nearly 48,000 files related to Jeffrey Epstein investigations that were temporarily removed for further review, including materials concerning unverified allegations against President Donald Trump. These files are part of a larger release mandated by the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which has already seen millions of pages made public. While the DOJ cites the need for redaction of personal information and sexual content, and to protect ongoing investigations, the temporary withholding of documents, some linking Trump to allegations of sexual assault, has drawn scrutiny and calls for full transparency from congressional Democrats. The President has consistently denied any wrongdoing, asserting he had no ties to Epstein during the latter’s investigation.
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Democrats have demanded an explanation from the Bureau of Prisons regarding Ghislaine Maxwell’s transfer to a minimum-security facility. This request stems from the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which mandates the release of all documents related to Maxwell, including those concerning her transfer and alleged special privileges. The transfer occurred shortly after an interview where Maxwell stated she never witnessed Donald Trump behaving improperly, a detail survivors of Epstein’s abuse find re-traumatizing. The Justice Department’s handling of these documents, and particularly Maxwell’s transfer, has drawn criticism and accusations of withheld information.
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A photo appearing to show Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick with Jeffrey Epstein on Little St. James was removed from the Department of Justice’s public Epstein files. The DOJ offered a questionable explanation that the image was part of a batch flagged for nudity, despite all individuals in the photograph being fully clothed. This removal follows previous revelations from the Epstein files indicating Lutnick had more extensive and prolonged contact with the disgraced financier than he had previously disclosed, including emails and a 2012 trip to the island. Lutnick has not been accused of wrongdoing, but his association with Epstein has drawn criticism.
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A bombshell NPR investigation alleges that the Department of Justice has withheld dozens of documents pertaining to an accuser who claims she was sexually abused by Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein as a minor. While the FBI reportedly interviewed this accuser four times in 2019, only documents from the initial interview, in which no allegations were made against the president, have been released to the public. NPR’s review of serial numbers found 53 pages of interview documents and notes cataloged by the Justice Department but not shared, raising questions about what information has been deliberately omitted.
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The article describes the tragic death of a protester, who was fatally injured during an altercation with ICE agents. The protester, identified as 37-year-old Pretti, was seen filming ICE activity and subsequently intervened when another protester was violently shoved by an agent. During the ensuing struggle, Pretti was sprayed with a chemical irritant and, while being subdued by at least seven officers, was shot multiple times by one of the agents. An EMT on the scene immediately recognized the severity of Pretti’s injuries, noting a “serious brain injury.”
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In a recent case, federal agents pursued DoorDash driver Alfredo Alejandro Aljorna, who then sought refuge at his home with his cousin, Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis. Sosa-Celis alleges he was shot in the leg by an ICE agent during the encounter, a claim that conflicted with an initial Department of Homeland Security account. After initially filing criminal charges based on the DHS narrative, the Justice Department reversed course, citing newly discovered evidence and admitting federal agents made “false statements” under oath, leading to the dismissal of charges.
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Lawmakers reviewing unredacted Jeffrey Epstein files are encountering ongoing redactions, a situation Republican Rep. Thomas Massie describes as a “new obstacle.” The Department of Justice claims these files are released in the form they were received, raising concerns that this violates the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Massie suggests that U.S. attorneys and the FBI may have redacted documents before submitting them to the DOJ, which has then failed to obtain original, unredacted versions. Attorney General Pam Bondi is set to testify before lawmakers regarding the handling and release of these heavily redacted documents.
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John Q. Hosedrinker
DOJ Releases Tiny Fraction of Epstein Files
The article describes the tragic death of a protester, who was fatally injured during an altercation with ICE agents. The protester, identified as 37-year-old Pretti, was seen filming ICE activity and subsequently intervened when another protester was violently shoved by an agent. During the ensuing struggle, Pretti was sprayed with a chemical irritant and, while being subdued by at least seven officers, was shot multiple times by one of the agents. An EMT on the scene immediately recognized the severity of Pretti’s injuries, noting a “serious brain injury.”
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