Pro-MAGA podcaster Shawn Ryan erupts over Epstein files, blasts DOJ: 'Stop lies, Get to work!'

WASHINGTON, DC: Pro-MAGA podcaster Shawn Ryan criticized the Justice Department on Monday, February 16, over its handling of matters related to Jeffrey Epstein.

The former Navy seal argued that more emphasis should be placed on potential prosecutions connected to the case.

Ryan, who publicly supported President Donald Trump during the 2024 election cycle, posted a video to X in which he reacted to recent congressional hearings involving Attorney General Pam Bondi.

Shawn Ryan attacks DOJ after Pam Bondi's hearing

His remarks came after Bondi appeared before the House Judiciary Committee and pushed back on lawmakers’ questions about Epstein-related issues and the president’s past associations.

During the hearing, Bondi defended the administration’s record and at one point highlighted stock market performance, noting that the Dow Jones Industrial Average had reached 50,000 under Trump.

Ryan said he believed the focus should instead be on legal accountability tied to Epstein’s network. 

“Nobody cares,” Ryan said in the video. “What you should be talking about is how you are going to investigate and prosecute people that are running around on Epstein Island that you’re affiliated with. But we didn’t talk about that, did we?”

Shawn Ryan's 'drain the swamp' jab

Ryan framed part of his criticism around Trump’s past campaign slogan to “drain the swamp,” suggesting that the release of Epstein-related materials could present an opportunity for broad accountability.

“Well, you know what that sounds like? That sounds like how Trump ran his campaign: ‘Let’s drain the swamp.’ Doesn’t that sound a lot like draining the swamp?” he said.

“It actually is drain the swamp served up to you on a silver platter but you’re not gonna take it, are you?”

He added “I guess the whole drain the swamp campaign promise was another lie, huh? Man, the lies are stacking up fast. I’ve never seen so many lies appear in, what, a year?”

Ryan did not cite specific evidence of wrongdoing by named officials but repeatedly called for investigations and prosecutions of anyone found to have committed crimes connected to Epstein.

In his video, Ryan also mentioned Reps Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie, who supported a discharge petition aimed at advancing the release of Epstein-related documents to lawmakers.

“They’re trying to do the job of the entire Department of Justice because nobody over there will do their job”, Ryan said, defending the lawmakers’ efforts.

He further encouraged members of Congress who said they were “shocked” by what they saw in unredacted files to speak openly on the House or Senate floor, where legislative speech is protected.

“So here’s a tip. Get to work. Permission granted!” he said.

Shawn Ryan comments on Obama's alien remark

Ryan also reacted to remarks by former President Barack Obama during a recent podcast appearance in which Obama joked about aliens being “real” while dismissing conspiracy theories about Area 51.

“Right in the middle of all this, we’re gonna drop that aliens are real?” Ryan asked.

The Justice Department has not publicly addressed Ryan’s comments even as the Epstein case continues to draw attention from lawmakers and media figures across the political spectrum.