One of the least reported stories by the media involved the trading of Americans held in Venezuela for the 252 Venezuelans held in El Salvador, who were sent there by the Trump administration based on the Alien and Sedition Act.
One of the Americans who was returned to America and is now free is Dahud Hanid Ortiz. He murdered three people in a law office in Spain in 2016 and then escaped to Venezuela, where he was tried and convicted of three murders last year and sentenced to thirty years.
The lawyer whom Ortiz wanted to kill and others in Spain decried the release. The Biden administration was aware of Ortiz and refused to include him in any trade. Yet the Trump administration did. The State Department issued a statement that “Every wrongfully detained American in Venezuela is now free and back in our homeland.”
The Trump administration has no problem with returning and releasing a murderer, yet they are deporting people en masse, most of whom have no criminal record. I would like to hear from the Trumpians to justify taking this murderer back and releasing him. Is it the fact that he is American and a former Marine, so it is okay if an American kills foreigners?
Now on to my main topic. Trump is learning that you live by the conspiracy theory, and you may die by the conspiracy theory.
When Trump was running for president, he said that there was nefarious conduct involving Jeffrey Epstein and other powerful people. He assured everyone that when he became president, he would make sure the files would be released and the truth would come out.
Others who are now part of his administration—including the vice president, the attorney general, the FBI director, and the deputy FBI director—made similar comments. Then, a few months ago, the attorney general at a news conference said that she had the list and was going to go through it before releasing it.
Then the Department of Justice said there was nothing. Since then, many MAGA supporters and others are upset. They smell a cover-up. Trump has tried everything to change the subject, mentioning his usual list of villains: former President Barack Obama, former Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, former President Bill Clinton, former FBI Director James Comey.
Then he had National Security Advisor Tulsi Gabbard accuse Obama of treason relating to what they referred to as the “Russia Hoax,” which was Russia’s attempt to influence the 2016 election. Trump accused The Wall Street Journal of printing a false story and sued them.
He maintained, among other things, that the claim he drew a picture for Epstein’s birthday never occurred, since he does not draw. Soon, many of Trump’s similar sketches came out.
Trump asked for the grand jury minutes, which are of limited value. He figured that would buy time. A judge made an immediate ruling denying it.
Then the DOJ decided to speak with Ghislaine Maxwell, who was Epstein’s girlfriend and groomer. She was convicted in 2021, following a one-month jury trial, of conspiracy to entice minors to travel to engage in illegal acts, conspiracy to transport minors to participate in illegal acts, transporting a minor to participate in illegal acts, trafficking conspiracy, and trafficking of a minor.
In 2022, Maxwell was sentenced to twenty years. The Court of Appeals affirmed her conviction. She then filed a request with the U.S. Supreme Court to take up her case.
Right before this meeting happened, the lead prosecutor, Maureen Comey, who happens to be James Comey’s daughter, was fired. At first, it looked like just retaliation against James Comey. Then, when it came out that the DOJ was going to talk with Maxwell, the point of the firing became clear.
This way, DOJ could have someone loyal to Trump speak with Maxwell. That person was Trump’s former attorney and deputy attorney general Todd Blanche. He ended up speaking with Maxwell for more than a day.
It is unknown what came out of it or who besides Blanche, Maxwell, and her attorney were present. However, there is now some talk, especially by Trump loyalists, about giving Maxwell a pardon.
It is clear what is going on. Maxwell wants to get out, and she knows what the administration wants to hear. They want to hear that Trump had nothing to do with any nefarious conduct by her and Epstein. Trump knew nothing about it.
For icing on the cake, they would want her to mention names of important Democrats who were beneficiaries of Epstein and Maxwell’s hideous conduct. Even if there is no proof besides Maxwell, Trump hopes that will put the issue to bed.
I expect information to first come out in leaks by the administration and, depending on the public response, there will be public comment by the attorney general, the deputy attorney general, or even Trump himself.
Some of the victims are speaking out about Maxwell and her involvement. That is not a good look for the administration to support criminals, especially those involved in crimes against children.
However, as the blanket January 6 pardons and the release of the triple murderer prove, none of that seems to matter for the administration as long as they are their people or they help the President.
Warren S. Hecht is a local attorney. He can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.