## [00:01] Joe Rogan Experience #2447 - Mike Benz

Excitement Over Newly Released Epstein Files00:01

Joe Rogan welcomes guest. Guest expresses thrill: "Kid in a candy shop. We hacked the government. We hacked the government's files." They have access to 3.5 million files that feel like they should not have been obtained. Would have been ideal 7 years ago in 2019 during litigation. Incredible moment of transparency on how governments interact with private sector and funds.

Holdup on Releasing Epstein Files00:30

Many people did not want these files released. Access now to internal Justice Department and FBI documents from criminal investigation, normally not disclosable to public even if unclassified. Likely required congressional bill to force release. Cannot FOIA Justice Department for dirt on political enemies without court document. Possibly could have been done via executive order on Epstein transparency around first binders. Friction between president and Thomas Massie. Bill passed 427 to 1 in House.

The Lone Vote Against02:03

Recollection: Randy Fine, but correction to Clay Higgins. Nobody wanted to be on the wrong side—bipartisan vote, rare for Republicans and Democrats.

Reasons for Resistance02:30

Implicates everyone: Republicans, Democrats, Americans, dozen foreign countries, heads of major hedge funds, multinational corporations, donors to all parties, major university and science institutions. Almost every major player in world affairs involved or adjacent; network reached out to influential figures. Mutually assured destruction around "Epstein hot potato" for decade: out-of-power Republicans blamed Democrats (Clintons); Trump admin slow despite control; Democrats blamed Trump world despite their 4 years controlling Justice Department and FBI.