Trump DOJ Blocks New Probe Over His Dark Past

Summary

The MeidasTouch Podcast — Episode Summary
Episode Title: Trump DOJ Blocks New Probe Over His Dark Past
Date: July 13, 2026
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas
Guest: Harry Litman

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Overview and Main Theme

In this episode, the Meiselas brothers dive deep into the allegations that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), under the Trump administration, is actively blocking and hindering a new probe into Jeffrey Epstein’s notorious activities at Zorro Ranch, New Mexico. The discussion centers around a letter from New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torres, who accuses the DOJ of non-cooperation and obstruction—impeding attempts to shed light on crimes tied to Epstein, with possible links to Donald Trump. The episode features insights from former federal prosecutor Harry Litman and focuses on the broader implications for victims, democracy, and accountability.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. DOJ Obstruction of New Mexico Epstein Probe

• (02:36) Ben discusses how the Trump-era DOJ is blocking the New Mexico State investigation into Epstein's Zorro Ranch. He reports that AG Raul Torres has struggled for months to get cooperation.
  • "The cover-up of Donald Trump's dark and disgusting past by his Department of Justice continues. Now we are learning that the Department of Justice is covering up and blocking the New Mexico State investigation into Epstein's Zorro Ranch..." – Ben ([02:36])
• Torres' letter details months of failed attempts (written requests, calls, meetings) to obtain critical, unredacted DOJ files necessary for the investigation.
• DOJ’s public posture is cooperative, but no real assistance is given.

2. The Pattern of Federal-State Cooperation—Broken

• (08:07) Guest Harry Litman, a former federal prosecutor, explains that typically, the feds and states collaborate—especially on major cases like this. Defying this norm is “extraordinary.”
  • "This has become the Department of Obstruction. It's a total commonplace for states and the feds to work together... This is extraordinary. And what doesn't happen until Trump..." – Harry Litman ([08:07])
• Litman notes there's “no conceivable federal interest” in blocking New Mexico’s pursuit of justice. He condemns the DOJ’s behavior as abusive to both a “fellow sovereign” (the state) and to Epstein’s victims.

3. The DOJ’s Delaying Tactics: The Trump Playbook

• (13:16) Ben points out this “run out the clock” strategy is typical for Trump and his circle, referencing previous examples where scandals were allowed to fade through delay.
  • "Trump's playbook is run out the clock... you just drag it on forever. And that's the play." – Ben ([13:28])
• News cycles move on as new scandals erupt, allowing serious issues like the Epstein investigation to stall indefinitely.

4. Accountability and Action Steps

• (14:54) Ben presses Harry on what can be done to fight this obstruction, asking what the public and officials can do.
• (14:54) Litman responds that exposing and spotlighting DOJ's misconduct is essential:
  • “You call them out, as the Midas network does daily, of course. But the attorney general is doing the right thing, essentially. This letter, which you and I are now talking about, really hits the media. And what we have is... just abject absence of justice that the DOJ has provided…” – Harry Litman ([14:54])
• Harry notes the importance of transparency and public pressure, especially with Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s confirmation hearing approaching, potentially keeping the issue in the headlines.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Obstruction Called Out
  • "They do not want Jeffrey Epstein's crimes to be prosecuted, but they do not want to look like they don't want them prosecuted." – Harry Litman ([12:26])
• Pattern of Delay
  • "It's all one big fraud. But that's the Trump regime." – Ben and Harry Litman (duet, [08:00]-[08:07])
  • “Two weeks, two weeks... Then you do a bunch of other... Trump does a bunch of other outlandish, unlawful, crooked, disgusting things. The story kind of moves on.” – Ben ([13:49])
• Lack of Justice for Victims
  • "...completely abusive and disrespectful of all the victims of the Epstein crimes who have gotten zero by way of justice from this Department of obstruct. I mean, Department of Justice.” – Harry Litman ([12:59])
• Call to Action
  • "You call them out, as the Midas network does daily, of course." – Harry Litman ([14:54])
  • "What you all need to do is subscribe to Harry Lippman's YouTube channel. It's called Talking Feds..." – Ben ([16:33])

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Timestamps of Key Segments

• [02:36] — Ben introduces the New Mexico Epstein probe and DOJ obstruction.
• [07:59] — Harry Litman joins the discussion.
• [08:07] — Litman details normal federal/state cooperation now being obstructed.
• [13:16] — Ben elaborates on the Trump playbook of “run out the clock”.
• [14:54] — Harry Litman emphasizes public exposure as the solution.
• [16:33] — Ben plugs Litman’s channel and stresses community action.

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Episode Tone and Language

• The hosts maintain their signature blend: serious, unapologetic commitment to democracy, combined with candid, sometimes dark humor and irreverent brotherly banter.
• Harry Litman’s sharp legal insights and dry wit match the tone of the discussion.

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Conclusion

This episode exposes a disturbing pattern: the Trump-era DOJ’s stonewalling of efforts to investigate Epstein’s crimes, illustrating broader themes of government obstruction, victim abandonment, and leadership failure. Through detailed reporting and passionate discussion, the MeidasTouch team and Harry Litman urge listeners to stay vigilant, amplify the issue, and demand accountability—keeping the spotlight fixed on those who would rather let these scandals fade away.

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Transcript

[Ben]

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[Ben]

The COVID up of Donald Trump's dark and disgusting past by his Department of Justice continues. Now we are learning that the Department of Justice is covering up and blocking the New Mexico State investigation into Epstein's Zorro Ranch, into Epstein's connections. Lots of different people, likely including people like Donald Trump. And after this investigation into all of the things Epstein did in New Mexico was opened, the New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torres figured, look, I'm the New Mexico ag, the DOJ is going to want to work with me, right? No. The same way the DOJ has been fighting Midas Touch host Katie Fang and attacking and assaulting the victims and survivors of Epstein. They are refusing to respond and cooperate with the New Mexico investigation. And the New Mexico state investigation needs DOJ cooperation because let's not forget it was the DOJ that killed the initial investigation in real time into New Mexico. All things having to do with the main situs, the main place. I know we talk a lot about Epstein island. We talk about New York, we talk about Palm Beach, a mile or so away from where Trump lived in Mar? A Lago, where they would always get together. New Mexico was perhaps the place where the most despicable, I mean that's all horrific, you know, en masse, was taking place there. And that was blocked by the DOJ back then. Here's let's talk about what we're learning. Let me show you the letter from Raul Torres, the New Mexico AG. Here's how Reuters is reporting it. New Mexico says U.S. dOJ hindering the probe of former Epstein ranch. New Mexico's top law enforcement official, the the end of this past week accused the DOJ of hindering their investigation into Epstein, Todd, Blanche, blocking it. So this Democratic run state, I don't think that really matters. I think this is a bipartisan issue. Reopened though an investigation into Epstein's former ranch south of the state capitol, Santa Fe, where he's accused of sexually assaulting women and girls for nearly three decades. Nearly five months into the investigation, New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torres has yet to announce any results at all. And he was asked what's going on. He goes, the DOJ isn't giving me the documents. In a June 30 letter that we're now seeing to Acting U.S. attorney General Todd Blanche, Torres said the Justice Department failed to respond to a state request in February for unredacted files containing names of Epstein survivors, witnesses CO conspirators and other individuals essential to the New Mexico probe. In a statement at the end of this past week, Torres said the delay, which has lasted 130 days, was unreasonable under any rule of reason. To which the DOJ responds, We welcome New Mexico undertaking additional investigation of the Zorro Ranch, and we stand ready to provide necessary assistance with New Mexico's investigation. Well, talk is cheap. In the letter that was sent by New Mexico's AG to Acting Attorney General Blanch, they talk about the efforts to obtain materials through cooperative means. February 13, 2026, we sent you written correspondence. March 13 26, a formal letter. April 1, 2026, a telephone conference was attempted. May 3, 2026, a comprehensive TUI letter was submitted on May 29, 2026, written follow up to Acting Attorney General Blanche. On June 4th and 5th, 2026, meeting requests were made on and on and on. Despite verbal assurances of cooperation from the doj, access to the requested records has not been granted. We want reasonable and necessary information to secure justice for those who have suffered sexual abuse inflicted by Epstein. We remain hopeful that the DOJ will grant this request and demonstrate a commitment to justice for these survivors. I don't remain confident in that, but that's how it ended. And then it signed Attorney General of New Mexico. I want to bring in Harry Lippman. Harry Talking Feds YouTube channel. Former federal prosecutor, former top federal prosecutor, Western District of Pennsylvania. Main justice breaks my heart, Harry. I mean, you and I have reported the efforts of the Trump regime fighting against Katie Fang, the Midas Touch host who has courageously been seeking the records as well. And the obstruction there, the obstruction they've done with all of the FOIA requests, they're completely undermining of the Epstein Transparency Act. Here you have an AG of a state like New Mexico where Epstein engaged in the most heinous of sexual abuse. And the AG is like, we've been working all of these days and you keep on obstructing, but then they, but then they string them along. Harry. Oh, don't worry, we'll get back to you.

[Harry Lippman]

We'll get.

[Ben]

Oh, don't worry.

[Harry Lippman]

We'll do this.

[Ben]

All right. We'll come up with a framework and it's all one big fraud. But that's the Trump regime. What do you make of it? Harry?

[Harry Lippman]

It's all one big fraud. But that's the Trump regime. As a smart man said, Ben, look, this is, this become the department of Obstruction. It's a total common place for this, for states. And the Feds to work together. 90% plus of prosecutions occur at the stateside. There are occasional, maybe turf battles, but where both sides want to go after someone and the feds maybe try to push their weight around, this is extraordinary. And what doesn't happen until Trump, it's reminiscent to me of what's going on in Minnesota and now it looks like with this atrocious killing this week in Texas, this is the DOJ not simply saying, well, we want to do our own thing, but literally shutting down the efforts to secure justice. Now, we see this in Minnesota, we see it in Texas, and there's some kind of argument, anyway, it doesn't fly. But you can see, well, they're protecting their own. It's federal agents. There is no conceivable federal interest to trying to keep the New Mexico attorney general from securing justice for the Epstein victims in New Mexico. And as you say, it's an underreported part of the story, but some of the most lurid, revolting, damaging conduct took place right there. So this is the doj, not simply not have at it, please. We're not going to go forward for now or whatever. So it's all for you. They did, in fact, in 2019, when they were actually prosecuting things, that's Maureen Comey said, let us go ahead for now. And New Mexico, you know, stood its ground and said, okay, you have it for now. But at this point, they're not going forward, but they're literally trying to prevent states from going forward. So it's not simply, as we hear again and again when Epstein arises, how they're ignoring the victims, not doing justice by them. They are literally trying to keep justice from being done by a parallel sovereign and the, and, and circling the wagon. So now you have New Mexico, they have charges to bring. And what the DOJ is doing, it's in a sense even worse than what I've said because there's no way to justify not helping a, a sovereign that supposedly has the same goal as you, bringing miscreants to justice. And you have no federal interest in not seeing it done. But they're, they're lying and being squirrely and bobbing and weaving. The letter that you just read from Ben very properly has this whole six plus efforts of real earnest attempts to put things together, have conference calls and the department forgets this one, doesn't schedule that one, all the while giving this is what really is a sort of extra layer of revolting behavior. They talk a good game and there's nothing else you can say oh, yes, we want to help you. Of course we want to help you. And then when push comes to shove, it's time. Okay, could we maybe see some evidence that you're holding, you're not going forward with, but we can actually convict? Well, we'll be right back to you. I missed that call. Wrong number. It's an actual whole chain of misdirection and bobbing and weaving and squirreliness because there's no possible justification for it. I don't know how long they think they can get away with it, but it's literally at this point, well documented. They do not want Jeffrey Epstein's crimes to be prosecuted, but they do not want to look like they don't want them prosecuted. And what that has resulted in no position in court. No, forget it. As they're trying to do in Minnesota. But. But a simply, you know, variety of. The dog ate it in. In a whole series of things that just cannot be. You get. This is the Attorney general, as you point out in New Mexico, I happen to have worked with the former Attorney General. New Mexico Attorney general calls. You don't lose the message. So somebody at a high level is directing the person who is talking a good game to New Mexico to essentially string them along. It's completely abusive and disrespectful of a fellow sovereign and completely abusive and disrespectful of all the victims of the Epstein crimes who have gotten zero by way of justice from this Department of obstruct. I mean, Department of Justice.

[Ben]

This is the Trump playbook in everything. And it becomes certainly more pronounced when we're dealing with the reabusing of abuse and survivors of Epstein.

[Harry Lippman]

Right.

[Ben]

And Trump's playbook is run out the clock. I remember when Donald Trump was running the very first time and people were questioning Melania's immigration status and it became a big issue. It's just an example here. Donald Trump said, I'm gonna do a press conference in two weeks. I'll address it in a press conferen. Two weeks, Two weeks.

[Harry Lippman]

Two weeks.

[Ben]

Two weeks, two weeks. Then you do a bunch of other. Trump does a bunch of other outlandish, unlawful, crooked, disgusting things. The story kind of moves on whether we're talking about wars or the wars plural, whether we're talking about corruption and deals here. I mean, every day there's a new scandal that would make Watergate, to quote J.D. vance, look like nothing in a 12 hour news cycle. And so the hope. Hope is you just drag it on forever. And that's the play. And you know, he'll. They're going to do that. The ultimate question I'll let you end, Harry, is just what do we do about it? I mean, what do we do as the Midas Touch network? You see what Katie Fang's doing about it? That's action. What do we do about it? What does the attorney General of New Mexico do about what do people. What do voters do? But what do you say about a regime that is so willing to and almost seems to enjoy covering up child sex trafficking rings? Harry, I'll give you the final word.

[Harry Lippman]

Well, you call them out, as the Midas network does daily, of course. But the attorney general is doing the right thing, essentially. This is a real, like, if guys, you know, let's try to talk, we're trying to cooperate, etc. This letter, which you and I are now talking about, really hits the media. And what we have is it plays into this ongoing narrative which is not dying of the just abject absence of justice that the DOJ has provided for, especially the victims who remain very well organized, very much sort of on the hustings. And as you know, Todd Blanche's confirmation is in just a few days. That means that the Epstein matter will re. Arise. And when you have. You have a sense of this, Ben, you know, I do too. It's one thing when someone is just making these radical dogmatic positions. You gotta see them in court. Here you have a kind of vulnerability. They are trying to pretend that they're being cooperative. So really holding up the mirror to that. So they. What are they gonna do now? Are they gonna. Oh, we're getting to it. Oh, just around the corner. See you next Tuesday. You know, I do not.

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They're.

[Harry Lippman]

They're now been kind of fleshed out. So I think exactly this bringing the spotlight to bear and combining it with the overall. Excuse me, Scandal of the Epstein files, that's the way to do it. That's what they're doing. That's what you're doing.

[Ben]

And what you all need to do is subscribe to Harry Lippman's YouTube channel. It's called Talking Feds. After you finish watching this video search. Talking Fed Feds. I see a lot of growth in that YouTube channel recently, Harry. The people are. People are going there.

[Harry Lippman]

And we're keeping count of the ones who say Ben sent you. And they. They multiply.

[Ben]

All right, Put in the comments that Ben sent you to a Harry video, or you can say Ben's dog sent you. Hit subscribe here. Let's get to 7 million subscribers want to stay plugged in? Become a subscriber to our [e-mail] you'll get daily recaps from Ron Filipkowski, ad free episodes of our podcast, and more exclusive content only [e-mail]

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