5CAST (#15) Andrew Callaghan w/ Ro Khanna – Interviewing the Congressman Behind the Epstein File Drop

Date: February 20, 2026
Podcast: 5CAST
Host: Andrew Callaghan
Guest: Rep. Ro Khanna, CA-17

Episode Overview

This episode features an in-depth, unfiltered conversation between Andrew Callaghan and Congressman Ro Khanna, who played a pivotal role in the fight for the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files. The main theme centers on the struggle to hold America’s most powerful elites accountable for their connection to Epstein's criminal activities, the systemic coverup across political lines, and the enormous implications of the recent release of millions of Epstein-related documents. The discussion explores not only the specifics of the file releases, but the broader consequences for justice, American democracy, and the future of political accountability.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Battle for Epstein File Transparency

• Resistance from Power (00:13, 19:57): Khanna details the near-impossible fight to get the Epstein files released, highlighting active obstruction from the DOJ, bipartisan political resistance, and specific intimidation tactics used against politicians supporting disclosure.
  • Quote: "They fought us every step of the way. They said Massie and I are cranks, that we're conspiracy theorists, that we have no idea what we're talking about." (00:20, Rep. Khanna)
• Elite Protectionism: Khanna calls out the “Epstein class”—rich, influential Americans whose status allegedly placed them above the law. discusses how the desire to stay in favor with donors caused both parties to resist exposing names from the files.

File Dump Content & Redactions

• Scale of Records (02:11, 06:47): Over 3 million documents released; Khanna argues about half the “most nuclear” content remains redacted, especially names of powerful individuals described in heinous scenarios.
• Nature of Evidence (09:02, 17:08, 53:27): Files include emails exchanging about “naughty girls,” underage victims, and redacted identities of alleged perpetrators.
  • Quote: “You have email after email that has something talking about a naughty girl, an 11-year-old girl... The from is redacted. Like, what are you doing redacting, blacking out that name? Obviously it’s not a survivor.” (53:31, Khanna)
• Redaction Practices (07:27, 53:31): Khanna sharply criticizes the continuing protection of elite names while survivor identities go uncovered.
  • Quote: “Why are names blacked out of people who have sent some of the most incriminating emails?” (71:05, Khanna)

Systemic Corruption & Two-Tier Justice

• No Accountability Yet (12:59): Only Epstein and Maxwell have faced prosecution, despite testimony from over 1200 survivors.
  • Quote: “You think two people raped all these survivors, and then the survivors have told Massey and me the type of people who raped them when they were 15, 16, 17. You’d have to believe that they’re all lying.” (12:59, Khanna)
• American Elite Above Law (07:30, 18:14): Emphasis on the uniquely “rotten” American elite willing to protect their own at any cost, across administration after administration.
• Nonpartisan Fight (21:45, 44:01): Khanna frames the coalition as anti-pedophile and anti-corruption, not anti-Republican or Democratic—insisting on class issues and donor influence as the core problems.

Intelligence, Blackmail, and Global Implications

• Possible Intelligence Connections (11:25, 23:52, 24:14): Open questions about Epstein’s relationships with intelligence agencies, with circumstantial evidence such as meetings with CIA and Israeli officials; calls for a trusted commission to access classified data.
  • Quote: “Julia Brown … says that there are unanswered questions about Epstein’s affiliation to intelligence. And we need to understand that.” (11:25, Khanna)
• Blackmail Operation? (11:11, 54:02): Discussion of Epstein as the nexus of a major blackmail/honeypot operation, possibly compromising leaders for leverage.
  • Quote: “It’s always just seemed really obvious that it was a blackmail operation for intelligence organizations.” (54:02, Andrew)

Specific Individuals & Political Impact

• Big Names in the Files (09:06, 09:35, 18:09): Gates, tech billionaires, prime ministers, finance leaders, and more—Khanna notes surprise at sheer breadth of implicated.
  • Quote: “It caught me by surprise is how many of our elite are in those files. … how close he is to world leaders...” (09:35, Khanna)
• Trump’s & Clinton’s Roles (14:14, 15:49, 16:37): Both parties’ prominent figures are present in the files. Trump’s actual involvement remains unclear and subject of ongoing inquiries—Khanna insists on nonpartisan approach.
  • Quote: “We wanted it to be bipartisan. … it’s about making sure that we get justice for survivors.” (14:14, Khanna)

QAnon, 4chan, and Disinformation

• Files Show Links (02:15, 40:00, 41:03): Discussion of evidence that Ghislaine Maxwell was involved in the formation of /pol/ on 4chan, potentially as a deliberate operation to sow disinformation, associate genuine abuse with outlandish conspiracy, and delegitimize real survivor claims.
  • Quote: “The recent files proved a tangible connection between QAnon and Jeffrey Epstein.” (41:03, Andrew)
• Weaponizing Conspiracy (41:03): Khanna affirms “the instinct of the American people to suspect something was wrong was correct,” but notes weaponized conspiracies redirected blame and made real truths easier to dismiss.

Media, Distraction, and Failure of Accountability

• Culture War as Distraction (30:19): Both see media narratives and polarizing culture war stories as an intentional effort to shift focus away from the elite’s exposure in the Epstein scandal.
• Media Failure (31:46): Mainstream media criticized for not deeply reporting on the major names or pursuing answers—preferring sensational but comparatively minor stories.
  • Quote: “I don’t think there’s been enough coverage of the actual people who have committed these crimes.” (31:48, Khanna)

Congressional and Legal Next Steps

• Investigative Routes (47:25, 48:42): Khanna proposes a Congressional “Epstein Committee” to subpoena, depose, and question under oath those named in the files, starting with the biggest names.
• Limitations (24:39, 48:45): Only a sitting president can order declassification of intelligence-linked material; Congressional committees can be set up on their own initiative for public questioning.

Broader Social/Economic Context

• Class Division & Wealth Inequality (33:20, 60:12): Ties the Epstein scandal to systemic issues like donor-class corruption, inequality, and the failure of America’s “social contract.”
• Local Leadership & Reform (37:34): Support for local leaders innovating on policy and creating well-managed, crime- and overdose-reducing cities, suggesting national models.

The Moral Urgency

• Moral Outrage & Existential Threat (26:09, 75:48): Khanna argues American democracy cannot survive if ordinary people believe the powerful can rape and abuse children with impunity. Calls for a “new moral beginning.”
  • Quote: “This is the fight of our times. This is one of the largest scandals in American history.” (75:48, Khanna)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “They cared more about being part of the Epstein class than they did about the working class girls who were being raped.” (00:00, Khanna)
• “If you want to be in politics, you probably don’t want to offend the billionaires. And that’s why this thing has been hidden for decades.” (01:41, Khanna)
• “So the people who aren’t in the files...if you’re not mentioned in the Epstein files, you don’t matter.” (18:54, paraphrasing a socialite's quote, Khanna)
• “The instinct of the American people to suspect that something was wrong was correct.” (41:03, Khanna)
• “This is a class issue in America. They’re rich and powerful people who believe the law doesn’t apply to them.” (31:48, Khanna)
• “You'd have to believe that all these survivors are lying, and that just doesn't make any sense.” (13:00, Khanna)
• “What I'm trying to understand is what’s the motivation of protecting people? Who are they protecting and why?” (74:12, Khanna)
• “This should be a cleansing of a failed political class and a new direction for our country.” (75:48, Khanna)
• “The American people have been relentless…and as a result, we have half the files released. That's enormous. It shows the power of people still in this country.” (51:34, Khanna)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |------------|--------------------------------------------| | 00:13 | DOJ resistance and file release obstruction| | 02:11 | Size and significance of the drop | | 06:30 | Survivors’ role, ongoing redactions | | 09:02 | Major names in the files and evidence | | 11:25 | Epstein & intelligence/gov’t connections | | 14:14 | Trump and bipartisan approach | | 17:08 | Explicit evidence, redacted identities | | 21:45 | Nonpartisan, anti-elite coalition | | 23:52 | Intelligence blackmail operation theory | | 31:46 | Media's failure to scrutinize elites | | 44:01 | Both parties implicated; not left vs right | | 47:25 | Calls for Congressional Epstein Committee | | 53:27–53:31| The persistence of redacted elite names | | 54:02 | The blackmail/elite control hypothesis | | 71:05 | Questioning reason for redactions | | 75:48 | Khanna’s concluding “call-to-arms” |

Podcast Tone & Language

The episode is blunt, direct, and outraged—reflecting the host’s and guest’s disbelief and anger at the elite’s impunity. Khanna is careful to avoid unsubstantiated conspiracies, sticks to facts as much as possible, but does not shy away from hard questions or uncomfortable truths. Both host and guest display a commitment to justice for survivors and a willingness to challenge both Party establishments.

Conclusions & Forward-Looking Statements

• Central Takeaway: The Epstein file release is a historic moment, exposing a moral rot and two-tiered justice system at the heart of American political and economic life. Accountability is urgently needed—not just for survivors, but to restore democracy’s credibility.
• Future Action: Ro Khanna is pushing for further transparency, unredacted releases, Congressional investigations, and a new American social contract that refuses to tolerate elite lawlessness.
• Call to Listeners: Stay vigilant, keep pressure on political leaders, demand transparency—and recognize that the fight for justice is not over.

Final Noteworthy Quote

"This entire Epstein class needs to be held accountable. There need to be investigations and prosecutions. And the entire Epstein class needs to be out of our politics. No, no more of their super PAC money and their money controlling politics. And we need a new start, a new moral beginning in America. This should be a cleansing of a failed political class in a new direction for our country."
— Rep. Ro Khanna (75:48)

For those seeking a fuller understanding of both the contents and high-level implications of the Epstein files, as well as the political realities shaping their release, this episode is essential listening—and the movement it documents is ongoing.