DOJ removes 47,635 Epstein files including Trump-related FBI records

"The Trump administration passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act in November 2025, a bipartisan bill co-sponsored by Rep. RKRo Khanna (D-CA) and Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) that compelled the DOJ to release millions of documents tied to Jeffrey Epstein. The DOJ released over three million pages on January 30, 2026. NINPR investigative team found evidence of missing files by comparing FBI serial numbers, discovery document logs from Ghislaine Maxwell trial, and document metadata. They identified that dozens of FBI interview summaries with women who accused Epstein of abuse, including four interviews with one woman who also accused Trump, were either never uploaded or had been temporarily removed after initial publication."

"By early March 2026, CBS News completed independent database analysis showing 47,635 files, roughly 65,500 pages, had been taken offline. The DOJ claimed files were pulled to protect victim identities and avoid interfering with ongoing investigations. Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA) and colleagues who reviewed unredacted files at DOJ reading room disputed this explanation, saying withheld files included documents that did not meet statute exemptions and that redaction pattern appeared to protect powerful men rather than survivors. Khanna spent two hours in DOJ reading room and read six names on House floor, including Emirati businessman SASultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, who had been redacted in public database but clearly identified in unredacted files."

"The three sets of FBI interview memos most conspicuously absent from database all involved women who made allegations against Trump. DOJ eventually released sixteen additional pages on March 5, three more FBI interview summaries from 2019, after NPR reporting made the gap public. These interviews described a 🌴South Carolina woman who alleged Epstein introduced her to Trump when she was between 13 and 15 years old, and who described an assault. FBI agents interviewed her four times. Only first interview, which did not mention Trump, had been in original public database. DOJ said files had been incorrectly coded and were released as soon as error was discovered."

"The accountability structure around files has circular logic: DOJ is both agency prosecuting Epstein-related matters and agency managing database. Attorney general serves at Trump pleasure. Todd Blanche, deputy attorney general overseeing file release, previously served as Trump personal defense attorney in federal criminal cases. No additional prosecutions of Epstein associates have been announced. Half the files remain unreleased. Congress can request to view unredacted files in person but cannot force public release above what statute requires. Khanna told TIME he believed lawsuit in Southern District of 🗽New York was most viable path to forcing full compliance."