The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell Lawrence: Federal judge publicly calls out Trump Justice Dept. out for its Epstein case 'diversion'
20 snips
Aug 21, 2025 
Sheldon Whitehouse, a prominent Senate Democrat and Judiciary Committee member, joins Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, a Yale expert in corporate governance. They discuss the Department of Justice's upcoming release of Epstein files, highlighting the judge's criticisms of Trump's handling of the case. The duo reflects on the political manipulation of the judiciary, raising concerns about integrity and victim rights. They also assess the serious implications of Trump's actions amid the Ukraine crisis and corporate America's increasingly political alignments.
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Release Full Files, Not Snippets
- Senator Whitehouse urged full release of the Epstein files instead of staged rollouts.
- He argued piecemeal disclosures and grand jury maneuvers are unacceptable and not transparent.
Grand Jury Request Was A Diversion
- Judge Richard Berman called Trump's DOJ request for Epstein grand jury transcripts a "diversion" from broader Epstein files.
- The judge noted DOJ holds 100,000 pages of Epstein materials far outweighing the 70-page grand jury record.
Victims' Safety Blocks Disclosure
- The court highlighted victims' privacy and safety as compelling reasons to keep grand jury material sealed.
- Leading victims' attorneys warned disclosure could expose or identify victims and harm fairness and protection guarantees.