Morning Joe 'Self-inflicted fiasco': Deputy AG defends removal of Epstein files from website
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Dec 22, 2025 Frank Foer, a keen political columnist, and John Heilman, a national affairs analyst, dive deep into the controversial removal of Epstein files by the DOJ. They discuss the political fallout from the selective releases that have sparked bipartisan outrage. The duo also critiques Deputy AG Todd Blanche's transparency claims while exploring the implications of congressional demands for accountability. As tensions rise, the conversation reveals the broader impact of these actions on political dynamics, leaving listeners questioning transparency in governance.
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Selective Release Fuels Bipartisan Suspicion
- The DOJ's selective, slow release of Epstein files created bipartisan outrage and suspicion of concealment.
- The redactions and missing uploads amplified questions about whether the law was followed and whom the department is protecting.
Statute Versus Reality: Missing Material
- The Epstein Files Transparency Act mandated full release, but many uploads were heavily redacted or later removed.
- That discrepancy between the statute and the actual release raised legal and political alarms about compliance.
Blanche Says Photo Pulled To 'Protect Victims'
- Todd Blanche defended removing Trump's photo saying they did so to protect victims, provoking incredulity from hosts.
- Joe Scarborough mocks the claim, saying it reads like an implicit accusation without evidence.