Former federal prosecutor Andrew Weissmann has issued a stark warning regarding the Justice Department’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein records, arguing that the agency’s behavior “clearly” suggests a cover-up. Speaking on “The Bulwark Podcast” this Friday, Weissmann told editor Sam Stein that the DOJ’s failure to comply with transparency laws is actively fueling public distrust.
Fueling Conspiracy Theories
Weissmann, a former top official at the Justice Department, criticized the government’s “piece-by-piece” approach to releasing the documents. According to him, this strategy leaves critical questions unanswered and provides ammunition for skeptics.
“There’s a million unanswered questions. They have not complied with the law,” Weissmann asserted. “If you are a conspiracy theorist or if you think that they are just covering up what’s going on, you have a ton of fodder, and they’re continuing to give life to both of those, the conspiracy theory and the cover-up concern, in the way that they’re handling this.”
The “Innocent Person” Test
Furthermore, Weissmann used a hypothetical scenario to implicitly criticize President Donald Trump’s reaction to the disclosures. He argued that an innocent individual in power would aggressively push for immediate, total transparency to clear their name.
“The very first thing you would say is, ‘You know what, get everything out,’” Weissmann explained.
He continued, elaborating on what a truly innocent leader would demand: “‘I want every single document and every single image involving me to be put out as soon as possible.’”
However, Weissmann noted that this demand for transparency has not occurred. Consequently, he believes the public can draw only one conclusion from the administration’s silence and the DOJ’s delays.
“And none of that’s happened. And so, what’re you supposed to think at that point? I mean, there’s only one logical thing you can think, which is that they’re hiding something.”
Context of the Criticism
Weissmann’s comments come amidst a broader backlash against the DOJ’s handling of the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Although the law required a full release by December 19, the department missed the deadline and has since released files in batches, often with heavy redactions. Critics argue that these delays violate the statute and protect powerful figures, a sentiment that Weissmann’s legal analysis now reinforces.