Ranking Member Raskin Demands Answers on DOJ’s Obstruction of State and Foreign Investigations Into Epstein’s Co-Conspirators
After Refusing to Investigate Epstein’s Associates, DOJ Is Blocking Investigators in New Mexico and the U.K. From Obtaining Evidence
Washington, D.C. (October 22, 2026)—Rep. Jamie Raskin, Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, demanded answers from Attorney General Todd Blanche and Office of International Affairs Director Vaughn Ary about the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) obstruction of state and foreign investigations into Jeffrey Epstein’s associates and co-conspirators. After shutting down an ongoing criminal investigation in the United States and going out of its way to pamper Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, DOJ is now reportedly withholding evidence from New Mexico investigators and blocking British investigators—all to protect President Trump. DOJ’s actions put an investigation into former British Ambassador to the United States Peter Mandelson at risk of collapse and once again put Trump’s interests ahead of securing justice for Epstein’s survivors.
“Why is the Department of Justice (DOJ) refusing to share evidence with jurisdictions that are actually investigating Jeffrey Epstein’s associates and co-conspirators? […] Not only is DOJ shamefully refusing to investigate Epstein-implicated individuals with your own resources, it is now reportedly refusing to share key evidence with other jurisdictions that are taking criminal investigations of Epstein’s potential accomplices and co-conspirators seriously,” wrote Ranking Member Raskin.
Following Epstein’s 2019 arrest, DOJ asked New Mexico investigators to pause their work while federal prosecutors pursued their case, promising to cooperate with subsequent state investigations and prosecutions. New Mexico agreed, giving up timely access to witnesses, victims and other evidence in reliance on those promises. DOJ then secured just one conviction—Maxwell’s. After Trump took office, DOJ shut down its investigation and pushed out the lead prosecutors. Now, DOJ is withholding evidence from the very state investigators it promised to help and refusing to reopen its own case despite credible evidence in its possession implicating additional individuals.
DOJ also blocked British authorities from obtaining key evidence in the Epstein files for their investigation into Mandelson, a close Epstein associate. The Department’s refusal to cooperate has put the investigation “at risk of collapse” because officials feat that sharing evidence could “reignite the scandal” and “damage Trump’s reputation.”
The obstruction follows a sustained effort by the Trump Administration to deny Epstein’s survivors justice and shield his enablers and accomplices from accountability. Information provided to Committee Democrats indicates that DOJ shut down an active Epstein-related probe conducted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York in the Administration’s first weeks. DOJ and the FBI then issued an unsigned July 2025 memorandum claiming there was no evidence that could justify investigating uncharged third parties.
Two weeks later, then-Deputy Attorney General Blanche conducted a two-day interview with convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell without questioning her about uncharged co-conspirators. Instead, he elicited her characterization of Trump as a “gentleman in all respects.” Maxwell was then transferred to a cushy minimum-security prison with special puppy time, yoga facilities and skincare products. Whistleblower information obtained by Judiciary Democratsrevealed that Maxwell also enjoys made-to-order meals delivered to her room and uses the prison warden as her de facto personal administrative assistant.
While the Trump Administration protects Epstein’s circle from accountability and working overtime to keep Maxwell happy, investigators elsewhere are pursuing answers. New Mexico reopened its criminal investigation and searched Epstein’s Zorro Ranch. Norway brought corruption charges against three senior figures with Epstein ties, Poland is investigating possible Russian intelligence links, and Latvian investigators identified a victim. UK is investigating Epstein’s British associates.
Ranking Member Raskin is demanding that DOJ turn over a complete list of foreign requests for assistance under Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties concerning potential Epstein co-conspirators, along with all related records and correspondence.
Click here to read the letter.