President Trump faces backlash for using federal agencies to suppress the Epstein scandal. Critics warn of a politicized DOJ and intelligence system.
Trump’s Latest Bid to End Epstein Storm: Weaponizing the Federal Government
By Stephen Collinson, CNN
Published: July 23, 2025
President Donald Trump’s controversial approach to defusing the intensifying Jeffrey Epstein scandal reveals just how far he’s willing to go — and how much control he’s taken over the nation’s key security and legal institutions.
From the Oval Office on Tuesday, Trump delivered an aggressive, often unhinged press appearance that only deepened concerns about the politicization of the Justice Department and the U.S. intelligence community. His message? The system once meant to protect the republic now seems designed to protect him.
Trump Turns to Familiar Tactics Amid Epstein Fallout
Rather than address demands for full transparency in the Epstein case, Trump went on the offensive — not against the facts, but against political enemies. When asked why files from the Epstein investigation remain classified, Trump lashed out at Barack Obama, accusing the former president of orchestrating a “treasonous coup” against him.
This was based on a recently declassified memo from Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, which spun discredited narratives about Russian interference in the 2016 election. Gabbard’s alignment with Trump appears to be less about facts and more about political loyalty.
DOJ’s Political Pivot: A Familiar Ally Takes the Lead
In a move that stunned legal observers, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche — formerly Trump’s personal lawyer — announced plans to meet with Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year sentence for her role in Epstein’s sex trafficking ring.
Trump insisted, “I don’t know anything about it,” but Blanche’s connection to the president, and Maxwell’s potential motivation to cooperate in exchange for clemency, raises serious questions.
Legal experts worry that Maxwell could fabricate information to secure her release. As Ryan Goodman, a law professor at NYU, noted, “She has no fear of giving false testimony … she has every incentive to say what they want to hear.”
MAGA Base Grows Skeptical
Ironically, the pressure on Trump isn’t just coming from Democrats or the media — it’s coming from within his own base. Hardcore MAGA supporters expected full disclosure on Epstein-related materials, a promise Trump hasn’t delivered on.
Some feel betrayed, accusing Trump of becoming part of the very “deep state” he once vowed to dismantle. Far-right activist Laura Loomer criticized the timing of the DOJ’s actions, suggesting it’s just a PR move. “Why didn’t they ask to meet with her before?” she asked.
Trump’s Strategy: Blame, Distract, Repeat
Trump’s press event, filled with conspiracy theories and partisan deflection, wasn’t aimed at resolving anything — it was aimed at changing the subject. By invoking Obama and Hillary Clinton, Trump tried to reignite old grievances to distract from a scandal he seems unable to control.
“It’s time to go after people,” Trump said. “Obama’s been caught directly.” Yet, the declassified documents provide no such proof — even Gabbard’s own memo fails to support that claim. But in Trump’s world, optics matter more than facts.
The Bigger Picture: What’s Really at Stake?
The larger concern isn’t just Trump’s rhetoric — it’s the normalization of using government power for personal gain. By deploying federal institutions like his own legal team, Trump is eroding public trust in pillars meant to ensure justice and national security.
The House Oversight Committee has indicated plans to subpoena Maxwell, while House Speaker Mike Johnson has delayed any legislative action until after the summer recess — moves that suggest political calculation, not transparency.
Meanwhile, newly surfaced images of Trump with Epstein at past social events — including his 1993 wedding to Marla Maples — have added fuel to the fire, though the White House dismissed them as “out-of-context grabs.”
Why Is Trump So Desperate?
Trump’s public meltdown appears driven by frustration that his attempts to end the Epstein scandal keep backfiring. On Truth Social, he lamented, “We had the Greatest Six Months of any President… and all the Fake News wants to talk about is the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax!”
But his aggressive denials and deflections only raise more questions: If there’s nothing to hide, why go to such extremes to bury the issue?
Conclusion: A Storm of His Own Making
Trump’s campaign to control the Epstein narrative — whether through the Justice Department, intelligence memos, or media distraction — reveals a president increasingly consumed by scandal. The very tools meant to ensure accountability are now being wielded as shields.
And in trying to extinguish the fire, Trump has only poured more gasoline on it.
FAQs
Q: What role is Tulsi Gabbard playing in this?
A: As Director of National Intelligence, Gabbard released a memo casting doubt on Russia’s 2016 election interference, which Trump used to target Obama.
Q: Why is Trump meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell?
A: Trump’s DOJ, led by his former lawyer Todd Blanche, claims it’s seeking new info. Critics argue it’s a political move to control the narrative.
Q: Is there evidence that Epstein was murdered?
A: The DOJ and FBI stated there is no credible evidence that Epstein was murdered or that a client list exists.
Q: What are MAGA supporters saying?
A: Many are frustrated that Trump hasn’t released all Epstein-related documents, questioning his commitment to transparency.
Q: Could Maxwell get a reduced sentence?
A: Possibly — if she offers information deemed useful to Trump’s DOJ, some speculate she could seek sentence reduction or clemency.