43 Comments
User's avatar
Robert Atallo's avatar

The grand jury transcripts are a red herring. Just release everything else

Expand full comment
Andrew Weissmann's avatar

exactly

Expand full comment
Carol's avatar

The sticky widget is this: There is talk that Trump has agreed to have conversations with Ghislaine Maxwell. You have to ask what’s in it for Trump? My guess is that he’s negotiating with her to lie on his behalf... in case the Epstein files show evidence that he was actively involved in illegal acts, or that Epstein introduced Melania to Trump. Whatever the case, he would want Ms. Maxwell to refute the evidence, to insist she never saw Trump … or whatever damaging thing is in the files. And what’s in it for her? A pardon or an early release from jail, and I believe she would lie to get out of jail.

Expand full comment
Public Servant's avatar

Trump is in the Epstein files. That is why he is trying to cover them up. He has already assaulted so many women: https://democracydefender2025.substack.com/p/trump-epstein-list

Expand full comment
Andrew Goldstein's avatar

I wish the highly experienced and lucid law practitioners like Andrew Weissman could or would be listened to by many more voters as all of this legal maneuvering unfolds. The U.S. Justice Department is relying not only on pushing the limits of juris prudence, but also betting that Trump followers can be bamboozled to ever greater depths.

Expand full comment
Linda Martino's avatar

As usual Andrew Weissmann articulate, easy to understand, and extremely edifying. Thank you!!

Expand full comment
Arielle Phoenix's avatar

Thank you. Very necessary and excruciatingly painful and infuriating for women victims of sexual abuse everywhere.

Expand full comment
Kathyleen Mantooth's avatar

They will never release the report, because they’ve got to protect the sleazeball squatting behind the presidency desk at all costs. They purport to be such fine Christians who care about protecting children being trafficked. But only as it relates to Democrats committing the crimes. How long are the republicans going to be able to hold back trump’s damn of criminal behavior? He’s a career criminal who’s been doing these crimes forever in every kind of way possible. He has -0- redeeming qualities. He’s a got a pact with the devil and escapes any consequences for his abhorrent behavior.

Expand full comment
Peggy Camp's avatar

Thx Andrew and Ryan good discussion and info! Just release the files! It doesn’t appear we will ever see actual files during the Trump admin!

Expand full comment
Jennifer's avatar

Thank you Andrew! You are a great legal mind who can communicate to the masses. I hope you had an opportunity to report on this issue on MSNBC and other outlets.

Expand full comment
Andrew Goldstein's avatar

One wonders how much of a roll in this Emil Bove is playing in the background or the foreground?

Expand full comment
Virginia McVarish's avatar

Thank you, Ryan and Andrew. I did learn a lot; the conversation was fascinating.

Expand full comment
Susan White's avatar

Thanks so very much for this! Enormously helpful. (Amusingly, the running transcript substituted "sexy" for "6E," which made for some interesting arguments!)

Expand full comment
Linda's avatar

Engaging & informative as always. Thank you! The UK had to suffer the indignity of Prince Andrew… how is Trump any different?

Expand full comment
TR Lingo's avatar

I think Andrew is spot on with the DOJ asking for Grand Jury evidence to scapegoat the courts when it’s not forthcoming. Another thing we don’t know is what big donors might be tangled up in this. Even if DJT isn’t as culpable as we might imagine, some of their cash cows might be.

Expand full comment
Jacqueline's avatar

Anyone who has ever watched any of the documentaries about Epstein knows they were close friends! Of course he’s all over the files! I don’t know why people would be surprised about any of this. Nice to see you!

Expand full comment
Christine Allgeier's avatar

Will NEVER happen .

Expand full comment
Lisa Westie's avatar

Correct

Expand full comment