Senator Chris Van Hollen on the Epstein Files, and the Leadership Crisis in Washington

10 snips

Nov 21, 2025

Chris Van Hollen, the U.S. Senator from Maryland, dives into pressing issues facing the Democratic Party and the leadership crisis in Washington. He discusses the urgent need for Congress to address the Epstein files and rebuild trust in government. Van Hollen also touches on party unity, critiquing colleagues' reluctance to support diverse candidates. He emphasizes the importance of accountability over merely focusing on economic messaging, stressing that Democrats must boldly tackle wealth inequality while preparing for future political battles.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Transcript

Episode notes

INSIGHT

Epstein Files Expose Political Obstruction

The Epstein files reveal how political pressure can block document release and require Congress to act.
Chris Van Hollen warns the Trump White House resisted release and must be pressured to turn over every document.

ADVICE

Pursue All Relevant Records

Seek related records beyond DOJ custody, like Treasury financial documents, to complete investigations.
Consider a House discharge petition to obtain financial transaction files if needed.

INSIGHT

‘Ongoing Probe’ Can Be A Delay Tactic

The DOJ could claim ongoing investigations to stall disclosure, risking public outrage.
Van Hollen says such a tactic would provoke intense backlash from victims and the public.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

Both major parties are experiencing a crisis of leadership in Washington. President Trump’s flip-flopping on the Epstein files acknowledges that, on this issue, at least, he has lost control of MAGA. For the Democrats, the collapse of their consensus on the government shutdown deepens a sense that the current leadership is ineffective. For all the talk of unity, the Party is profoundly divided on what message to convey to voters. “Some people argue that we should just—no matter what Donald Trump does or says—just always come back to the economy and prices,” Senator Chris Van Hollen, of Maryland, tells David Remnick. “And, of course, we should be very focussed on the economy and prices and rising health-care costs, as we have been. But to suggest that we should look the other way in the face of all these other outrages is, I think, a mistake, because I think the American people are tiring of Donald Trump. I think the polls indicate that.” Van Hollen is trying to pave a path between his party’s left and the establishment. He’s used the word “spineless” to describe colleagues in Congress who refused to endorse Zohran Mamdani in his mayoral campaign, but he has not called for Chuck Schumer to step down from leadership, as others have. Van Hollen wants “to be very much part of the debate as to where the Democratic Party goes.” Would that extend, Remnick wonders, to running for President? “My goal at this moment really is to stiffen the spine of the Democratic Party. But that means not just resistance to Trump. It also means taking on very powerful special interests that I think have had too much sway in both the Republican Party for sure, but also in the Democratic Party.” Remnick replies, “I’ve heard firmer nos in my time.”

New episodes of The New Yorker Radio Hour drop every Tuesday and Friday. Join host David Remnick as he discusses the latest in politics, news, and current events in conversation with political leaders, newsmakers, innovators, New Yorker staff writers, authors, actors, and musicians.