Justice Department Withheld Epstein Files Related to Trump

Justice Department Withheld Epstein Files Related to Trump

The Justice Department has reportedly withheld and removed some Epstein-related files that mention President Trump. An NPR investigation found that these documents, including FBI interviews and notes from a woman who accused Trump of sexual abuse decades ago, were not made public despite legal requirements. The White House denied any wrongdoing, stating that Trump has been exonerated and has done more for Epstein's victims than anyone else.

Meanwhile, some files related to Ghislaine Maxwell's trial have also been scrubbed from public view, adding to the controversy surrounding the handling of these documents. The White House has previously pointed to a statement from the Justice Department that says the Epstein files contain 'untrue and sensationalist claims' about the president.

Lawmakers have criticized the way the Trump administration has handled the release of the files, accusing the Justice Department of violating the law and operating without transparency in redacting information. The investigation also found that some documents were briefly taken down and put back online last week, while others remain hidden. NPR does not name victims of sexual abuse.

A woman whose biographical details and description of Epstein's abuse found in the FBI interview also line up with details from a victim lawsuit. Elsewhere in the released Epstein files, someone in the FBI wrote that Trump's name was in the larger case files and that 'one identified victim claimed abuse by Trump but ultimately refused to cooperate.' Another woman detailed how Epstein and Maxwell's abuse began while she was around 13 years old attending the Interlochen Center for the Arts and described how, at one point, Epstein took her to Trump's Mar-a-Lago club to meet him.

Attorneys for this accuser declined to comment. The second woman detailed how Epstein and Maxwell's abuse began while she was around 13 years old attending the Interlochen Center for the Arts and described how, at one point, Epstein took her to Trump's Mar-a-Lago club to meet him.

The White House has pointed to a statement from the Justice Department that says no records were withheld or redacted 'on the basis of embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity, including to any government official, public figure, or foreign dignitary.' However, critics argue that the handling of these files violates legal obligations and lacks transparency.

Lawmakers have continued to accuse the Justice Department of violating the law and operating without transparency in redacting information. The investigation also found that some documents were briefly taken down and put back online last week, while others remain hidden. NPR does not name victims of sexual abuse.