Donald Trump has faced backlash from his base over a Department of Justice (DOJ) memo from his administration, essentially saying, “there’s nothing to see here, it’s time to move on” regarding Jeffrey Epstein, a matter Trump has called a “hoax.”
Now, according to The Daily Beast, far-right militia group Oath Keepers’ founder Stewart Rhodes has expressed dismay over Trump’s sudden dismissal of the matter.
“It’s really disheartening”
Reportedly, at an event in July, Rhodes, whose J6 sentence was commuted by Trump, told the crowd at a July Texas event, “I believe 90% of his own base understands that Epstein was up to something, and we know that’s the tip of the iceberg.”
Rhodes added, “It’s really disheartening to see President Trump just declare that to be a hoax. I don’t think it is. And I think it’s going to cause him trouble in his own base. It already is.”
Trump has no confirmed organizational ties to the Oath Keepers, but the group strongly supported him, particularly around the 2020 election and the January 6 Capitol riot. Several Oath Keepers, including Rhodes, were convicted of seditious conspiracy for their roles in the attack.
Trump-Oath Keepers situationship
Ideologically, the Oath Keepers aligned closely with many of Trump’s stances, including opposition to gun control, support for strict immigration policies, and distrust of federal authority. Trump’s presidency gave militia groups a sense of validation, even though his administration did not formally adopt or endorse their agenda.
The group’s loyalty to Trump stemmed more from shared values and perceived mutual goals than any direct policy connection, but now, that could be changing.
Trump, under mounting pressure from his MAGA base, instructed Attorney General Pam Bondi to petition courts to unseal Jeffrey Epstein’s grand jury testimony. That bid was blocked by a federal judge—first in Florida, then elsewhere—who ruled the DOJ’s justification insufficient and remanded supplementary filings by late July.
Trump also directed his DOJ to contact Ghislaine Maxwell (Epstein’s convicted associate now serving a 20‑year sentence), who has publicly signaled willingness to talk to Congress.
On Capitol Hill, a bipartisan push led by Republican Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie and joined by figures like Georgia MAGA Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene aims to force the release of all Epstein materials via a discharge petition. However, House Speaker Mike Johnson adjourned Congress for summer recess without permitting a vote, delaying any action until September.
Published: Jul 23, 2025 03:51 pm