DOJ investigates missing FBI interviews referencing Trump in Epstein files
The Justice Department said Thursday it is reviewing whether FBI interview summaries that include allegations against President Donald Trump were improperly withheld from its public release of Epstein-related documents. The review follows reports that three FBI write-ups were listed in official indexes but not included in the files released under the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
The missing documents stem from four FBI interviews conducted in 2019 with a woman who accused Jeffrey Epstein of sexual abuse. She also alleged that Trump assaulted her decades ago. Only one summary of those interviews was included in the public release.
Trump has repeatedly denied wrongdoing related to Epstein. No public evidence has corroborated the woman’s allegations against him.
Missing FBI summaries under review
The FBI summaries, commonly referred to as “302s,” were identified in materials provided during the criminal case against Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted in 2021 of sex trafficking. The Justice Department published one interview summary but did not release three others listed in the index.
Independent journalist Roger Sollenberger first reported the discrepancy.
In a statement, a Justice Department spokesperson said the department is reviewing whether the documents were improperly tagged during the release process.
“Should any document be found to have been improperly tagged in the review process and is responsive to the Act, the Department will of course publish it, consistent with the law,” the spokesperson said.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche has previously said the department complied with the statute and did not withhold material to shield Trump or other public figures.
Schumer accuses DOJ of “massive cover-up”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer sharply disputed that claim.
“Donald Trump said he wants to turn the page on the Epstein files. Democrats are not going to let Donald Trump turn the page,” Schumer said in Washington. “The law requires the DOJ to release all the files — not just some of the files. Not just the ones they pick and choose.”
He went further, accusing Attorney General Pam Bondi and department officials of concealing information.
“Let me be blunt. There is a massive cover-up going on in the Justice Department to protect Donald Trump and people associated with Jeffrey Epstein,” Schumer said. “They release some documents that they want to release and continue to hide others.”
Schumer said Senate Democrats will review unredacted versions of the files in the coming days and demand preservation of internal records tied to the document review process.
“We’re going to pull on every thread. We’re going to chase every lead,” he said. “The truth will come out.”
This story is featured in today’s Unbiased Updates. Watch the full episode here.
Scope of the release questioned
Congress passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act in November, requiring the Justice Department to release most investigative materials tied to Epstein and Maxwell, with limited exceptions for legal privilege, ongoing investigations, duplicates, and information identifying victims.
The department released an initial batch of documents in December, followed by millions more pages in January. Officials assigned hundreds of attorneys to review the files and redact victim-identifying information.
Department officials have acknowledged that some documents may have been improperly categorized and set up a process for corrections. The current review focuses on whether the three missing FBI interview summaries fall within the law’s disclosure requirements.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
