Tara Palmeri sits down with attorney and journalist Katie Phang, who just filed the first lawsuit against Todd Blanch and the DOJ for violating the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Katie explains why the law was written without enforcement teeth — Republicans intentionally blocked private causes of action — and why she sued as a journalist: if she can't access the files, she can't report on them or pull on threads. They also break down Todd Blanch's audition for attorney general, the Comey seashells indictment as a distraction, and the Jay Clayton–Leon Black conflict of interest at the heart of the Epstein cover-up. Tara shares what happened when she confronted Blanch at the French ambassador's residence during White House Correspondents Weekend — he denied everything, his wife said she "ruined a beautiful night," and his taxpayer-funded security detail threatened to remove her for trespassing on French soil. 0:46 – The Transparency Act was intentionally written without enforcement teeth 4:43 – Standing as a journalist: videos, photos, FBI interviews — "I can't do my job" 6:15 – The Comey indictment: seashells spelling 8647 9:32 – The timing: WHCD shooting, the ballroom lawsuit, and Comey as distraction 10:20 – Lindsey Graham wants taxpayers to fund Trump's $400 million ballroom 12:20 – The Republican power trifecta vs. the "Epstein elite" who benefit from inaction 13:08 – Trump's approval going down — but Democrats aren't gaining either 16:14 – CNN poll: double haters now favor Democrats by 31 points ahead of midterms 21:34 – Tara confronts Todd Blanche at the French ambassador's residence 24:33 – Tara asks Blanche about the Clayton–Black conflict — "You don't know what you're talking about" 26:41 – Actual vs. perceived conflicts — prosecutors are held to a higher standard 32:01 – Tara: "He's not a dumb guy — he knows exactly what he's saying" 34:25 – Katie: "I'm not suing for money — I want a court injunction and a special master" 35:07 – How soon before a judge? They want to move fast — "delay only helps them" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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