TJ Madsen is among the founding members of the New Herald Tribune and chairs the editorial board. He worked for national syndicated newspapers in Newark, Philadelphia, and Baltimore before moving to the midwest.
September 10 , 2025
Washington, DC - Attorney General Pam Bondi today announced the appointment of Oliver North and Fawn Hall to oversee a comprehensive review of the files related to the Jeffrey Epstein case.
Bondi stated that the pair’s “experience in matters of sensitive documentation and public inquiry” made them uniquely suited for the assignment. The review is expected to focus on the extensive trove of documents, testimonies, and sealed court records linked to Epstein’s network and his associates.
North, a retired Marine Corps lieutenant colonel and former National Security Council staff member, became a national figure during the 1980s in connection with the Iran-Contra affair. Hall, who was his secretary at the time, also became well-known after testifying before Congress. Both have remained occasional public figures since, though they have not frequently been involved in official government investigations in recent decades.
Supporters of the appointment argue that North and Hall bring firsthand familiarity with handling classified or sensitive records, as well as with navigating high-stakes public scrutiny. “They know what it means to be in the eye of a political storm and to manage documents that carry enormous weight,” Bondi said in a press conference.
Critics have raised questions about the optics and potential implications of the appointments. “Appointing two figures deeply connected to one of the most infamous coverups in American political history to oversee this kind of sensitive investigation is a bold choice,” said Dr. Lena Morales, a professor of political ethics at Georgetown University. “Whether that boldness results in transparency or further doubt remains to be seen.”
The scope of the review, which Bondi emphasized will be “transparent but responsible,” is not yet fully detailed. Preliminary reports indicate that North and Hall will lead a small advisory team tasked with examining the files for material relevant to ongoing inquiries while also making recommendations on which records can be released to the public.
While the appointment has sparked debate, the Epstein case continues to generate complex legal and political reverberations. Bondi insisted the decision was intended to balance the need for thoroughness with sensitivity to legal restrictions. “We need individuals able to sift through difficult material and present findings without political bias,” she said.
“This is not about politics,” Hall said in a rare public appearance. “This is about public trust."
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