Key facts
- Vice President Vance is concerned about audio tapes from the Situation Room being leaked to The New York Times.
- The tapes reportedly relate to the administration's response to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal and U.S. strategy in the Iran war.
- Vance described the potential recording of conversations as a felony and a source of legitimate worry.
- An upcoming book excerpt suggests Vance directed the release of Epstein-related files.
- Concerns have been raised by administration sources about the recording of sensitive conversations.
- Representative Robert Garcia plans an investigation into Vance's role in the Epstein matter.
Vice President Vance stated on Wednesday that he was "legitimately worried" about audio tapes of conversations from the Situation Room being leaked to journalists at The New York Times. His comments follow recent reports alleging his leadership in the administration's response to fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein scandal and detailing President Trump's discussions within the Situation Room concerning U.S. strategy during the Iran war.
Vance discussed the reporting on SiriusXM’s “The Megyn Kelly Show,” noting that while there is always an element of truth and untruth in such reports, certain details genuinely concerned him about the possibility of people recording conversations, which he described as a felony. An excerpt from the forthcoming book “Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump” by Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan reportedly includes direct quotes from Vance, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, and White House communications director Steven Cheung, among others, detailing their efforts to mitigate the impact of the Epstein scandal.
The reporting further alleges that Blanche, Trump’s former personal attorney, explored strategies involving the courts and judges to prevent the release of Epstein files and to manage the case of Ghislaine Maxwell. While Department of Justice officials are permitted to discuss political strategy, they are restricted from violating Hatch Act provisions or engaging in activities that obstruct justice or politicize criminal investigations.
Administration officials have not denied specific details from the reporting but have voiced concerns regarding reporters' access to sensitive discussions within the Situation Room. One administration source told Axios, "We’re afraid some of our most sensitive conversations were being recorded. And we have no idea which ones."
In response to the Times's reporting, House Oversight and Government Reform Committee ranking member Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) is planning to launch an investigation and intends to subpoena Vance regarding his alleged role in any Epstein "cover-up" facilitated by the administration.