Judge Slams Trump Administration’s ‘Smokescreen’ Over Epstein Files

A federal judge has issued a scathing rebuke of the Trump administration’s efforts to unseal grand jury testimony related to the Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell cases, labeling the move a potential ‘smokescreen’ rather than a genuine attempt at transparency. The ruling, delivered by Judge Paul Engelmayer, found that the materials the administration sought to release contained virtually no new information, undermining claims of a push for greater public disclosure.

For weeks, the Trump administration had faced scrutiny over its handling of the Epstein files, including perceived delays in disclosure, alleged misleading statements, and questions surrounding Ghislaine Maxwell’s treatment. The administration’s proposal to unseal grand jury testimony was presented as a key step towards transparency amidst growing calls for full disclosure from Epstein’s victims and their allies, who have suggested a cover-up.

However, Judge Engelmayer’s decision firmly rejected this premise. He stated that the administration’s claim that the Maxwell grand jury materials would offer ‘meaningful new information’ was ‘demonstrably false.’ The judge noted that despite requests, the administration could only identify ‘scattered words, clauses, and occasional sentences’ as new, much of which was already publicly available through Maxwell’s trial testimony.

Engelmayer emphasized that the documents provided no new details on critical points of public interest, such as other individuals involved in Epstein’s crimes, his alleged clients, or the circumstances surrounding Epstein’s death. This led the judge to suggest that the administration may have intended to create a ‘diversion’ rather than truly shed light on the case. He even posited that the only valid reason to unseal the documents would be to expose the disingenuous nature of the government’s public explanations.

This judicial condemnation comes at a sensitive time for the administration, which has also been criticized for its lack of transparency regarding a Justice Department interview with Ghislaine Maxwell and her unexplained move to a lower-security prison. The ruling intensifies pressure on the government to provide genuine answers to those seeking full accountability in the Epstein saga.

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