The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: Trump Makes Emergency Filing to Block Epstein Law!!

Date: January 17, 2026
Host(s): Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

Overview

This episode focuses on the explosive developments surrounding the Trump Department of Justice’s (DOJ) late-night emergency filing. The filing seeks to prevent the enforcement of the bipartisan Epstein Transparency Act, which was designed to compel the release of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein’s network and activities. The Meiselas brothers break down the legal maneuverings, congressional involvement, and what they see as a cover-up orchestrated at the highest levels of government.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Background: The Epstein Transparency Act & Congressional Oversight

• Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna and Republican Rep. Thomas Massie* initiated the discharge petition responsible for passing the Epstein Transparency Act.
• The Act mandated the DOJ to release previously sealed files related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation by December 19, with a follow-up report due 15 days later on the redactions made.

2. The DOJ’s Emergency Filing: Blocking Enforcement

• The Trump DOJ, late at night, filed a motion claiming:

  • Federal courts lack authority to compel DOJ action related to the Act.
  • Congress did not establish a “private cause of action” in the Act—meaning no party can request judicial enforcement.
  • The DOJ asserts it does not have to comply and independent monitors cannot be appointed.

  "The most significant and stunning admission by this DOJ is their claim that courts have no authority in this matter at all."
  — Ben Meiselas [05:15]

3. Congressional Moves & Special Master Request

• Khanna and Massie filed an amicus brief ("friend of the court") with Judge Engelmayer (overseeing USA v. Ghislaine Maxwell), requesting the appointment of an independent monitor to oversee document release.

• Their legal argument: DOJ is engaged in “criminal conduct” and cannot be trusted to self-police.

  "They’re showing the dastardly cover up that's taking place."
  — Ben Meiselas [06:49]

4. Trump DOJ’s Arguments Against Oversight

• DOJ’s filing argues:

  • No party (even Congress) has standing to enforce the Act.
  • The request to appoint a special master has no legal basis.
  • The case is long over and only involves Maxwell’s appeal and a protective order.

  "So what the DOJ is arguing is that Congress created the Epstein Transparency act but did not want it enforceable. That's what a ridiculous position the DOJ is taking!"
  — Ben Meiselas [06:09]

5. Leadership & Lack of Prosecutorial Sign-Off

• Ben notes only top officials—Pam Bondi (Attorney General), Todd Blanche (Deputy AG), and Jay Clayton (US Attorney, SDNY)—signed the DOJ filing.

• No assistant US attorneys or rank-and-file prosecutors attached their names.

  "It's so notable to me that they haven't signed their name to this at all."
  — Ben Meiselas [07:36]

6. Discrepancies in DOJ’s Processing/Staffing Claims

• DOJ claimed different numbers of reviewers were working on the file release:

  • Fact sheet: 200 lawyers
  • NY Post: 500 reviewers
  • Bloomberg’s FOIA reporting: up to 1,000 from FBI and other divisions

• Ben, as an experienced litigator, challenges the need for so many staff and the slow pace:

  "An entire massive law firm working on one case... highly skilled lawyers from the SDNY... that would take me five days max, maybe two days."
  — Ben Meiselas [16:16]

7. Victims & Redactions

• The DOJ claims all redactions are to protect victims, not “famous individuals or politically exposed persons.”
• Ben questions the truthfulness of this claim, suggesting key redactions are actually to protect powerful people and further the cover-up.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On DOJ Filing’s Core Argument:

  "What the DOJ is arguing is that Congress created the Epstein Transparency Act but did not want it to be enforceable. That's what a ridiculous position the DOJ is taking."
  [06:09] — Ben

• On the Value of the Congressional Amicus Brief:

  "That to me makes their amicus request... so meaningful, because they're showing the dastardly cover up that's taking place."
  [06:49] — Ben

• On DOJ Leadership Signing the Brief:

  “It's so notable to me that they haven't signed their name to this at all.”
  [07:36] — Ben

• On DOJ’s Staffing Claims:

  “If you told me that I could have 500 lawyers, 200 lawyers, it would take me five days to do the document production... ask any lawyer who's handled big document production.”
  [16:16] — Ben

Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:00 – 06:30
  Walk-through of DOJ’s argument, Congress’s intentions, and the Khanna/Massie petition.
• 06:30 – 07:45
  The importance of congressional amicus filings; DOJ leadership signature analysis.
• 09:36 – 13:00
  Analyzing DOJ’s internal communications, public statements, and discrepancies over staffing.
• 14:00 – 16:30
  Legal perspective on large-scale document reviews and the credibility (or lack thereof) in DOJ’s explanations.

Conclusion

The episode paints a picture of escalating mistrust between Congressional overseers and the Trump DOJ regarding the release and handling of Epstein-related documents. The brothers emphasize the gravity of DOJ’s unprecedented legal stance, its possible implications for government transparency, and the courage of Khanna and Massie in drawing out these admissions. The MeidasTouch team encourages vigilance and continued attention, hinting that this legal and political showdown is far from over.

For full context and additional commentary, listen to the episode’s substantive sections between [00:00] and [18:28].