James O’Keefe, the founder of Project Veritas and a prominent figure in conservative media, dropped a bombshell on Thursday with the release of a video clip that’s raising eyebrows across the political spectrum.
The video features an off-the-record conversation with Joseph Schnitt, an acting deputy chief in the US Department of Justice, in which he discusses the transfer of Ghislaine Maxwell - woman at the heart of Epstein’s dark web - to a minimum-security prison and raises allegations of possible “special treatment” to keep her quiet.
The conversation took place in an undercover setting, with a woman questioning Schnitt about his thoughts on the infamous Epstein files and Maxwell’s highly controversial transfer, Mediaite reported.
Maxwell, who was convicted of sex trafficking in connection with financier Jeffrey Epstein, has remained a lightning rod for conspiracy theories and political backlash.
A surprising allegationThe video begins with a question about the Epstein files, which have long been shrouded in secrecy. The woman in the clip asks, "But those files do exist?" to which Schnitt confirms, saying that "thousands and thousands" of pages are involved, with a significant number of them expected to be redacted. But it’s what Schnitt says next that sent shockwaves through both the political and media landscapes.
He claims, "I think they visited that Maxwell person. Kind of also involved… Transferred to a minimum-security prison too recently, which is against BOP policy because she’s a convicted sex offender. They’re offering her something to keep her quiet."
The bombshell comment sent O’Keefe into action, sharing the tape with his audience and explaining that Schnitt’s remarks reveal troubling inconsistencies and raise questions about Maxwell’s treatment by the Department of Justice (DOJ). O'Keefe then doubled down, discussing Schnitt's position as an acting deputy chief within the DOJ and the potential implications of his statements regarding the handling of the Epstein files, reported Mediaite.
"That was the acting deputy chief of the Office of Enforcement Operations, Joseph Schnitt, telling a stranger about the FBI and DOJ’s handling of the Epstein files," O’Keefe remarked. "It’s a rare glimpse into how some high-ranking officials might view the situation—and it raises significant concerns about transparency and accountability."
DOJ's response: A denial of knowledgeIn a statement provided to Project Veritas, the DOJ swiftly responded to the video, asserting that Schnitt had no involvement in the department’s internal review of the Epstein materials. "Joseph Schnitt has confirmed as much to leadership," the statement read, adding that his comments were based solely on "what he learned in the media" and were "not reflective of the DOJ’s review process."
The DOJ continued, clarifying that the remarks Schnitt made about Maxwell’s treatment and the handling of the Epstein files were "baseless" and "had absolutely zero bearing on reality." They also noted that the department remains committed to transparency and is fully complying with requests for documents from the House Oversight Committee.
Despite the DOJ's denial, O’Keefe and his supporters argue that the video sheds light on a potential cover-up, with O’Keefe further alleging that Maxwell’s move from a low-security federal prison in Florida to a minimum-security facility in Texas could be part of a larger effort to suppress crucial information.
Maxwell’s controversial moveMaxwell’s recent transfer has already been a source of considerable controversy. She was moved to a federal prison camp in Texas, which is known for offering more lenient conditions compared to high-security facilities.
Critics have pointed to the fact that the transfer came shortly after a meeting with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, who previously served as President Donald Trump’s personal attorney. This connection has only fueled conspiracy theories, particularly among those who believe that the Trump administration may have been trying to distance itself from the fallout of the Epstein scandal.
Following the move, Democrats were quick to accuse the DOJ of witness tampering. In a letter to the department, House Democrats raised alarms, writing, “These actions raise substantial concerns that the Administration may now be attempting to tamper with a crucial witness, conceal President Trump’s relationship with convicted sex offenders, and coax Maxwell into providing false or misleading testimony in order to protect the President.”
A personal connection?Adding another layer of intrigue, the DOJ issued an email purportedly from Schnitt, claiming that he met the woman in the video on a dating app and that he was unaware of Maxwell’s transfer. The email further stated that Schnitt’s remarks about the Epstein files were entirely based on public reports and that he had no personal knowledge of the situation.
This new development has led to even more questions, with some critics alleging that the DOJ's response might be an attempt to downplay the significance of Schnitt’s comments.