Withheld Epstein files with accusations against Trump released by justice department
Epstein Files Unveiled: New Evidence Against Trump Revealed
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has disclosed previously hidden FBI records detailing a woman’s allegations of sexual misconduct involving Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein. These documents, part of the broader Epstein file collection, were initially absent from the DOJ’s database, sparking claims from Democrats that officials had concealed information. The agency clarified that the files were mistakenly withheld during a review phase, as they were mislabeled as “duplicative.”
The memos, released after public scrutiny, describe a series of 2019 interviews with an unidentified woman who asserts she was sexually assaulted by both Trump and Epstein when she was 13 to 15 years old. According to one of the three summaries, she met Trump through Epstein in the 1980s as a teenager. The FBI has not engaged with her further since the interviews. The DOJ’s explanation for the delay emphasized an administrative error in categorization.
“These claims are completely baseless and backed by zero credible evidence,”
stated White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt in response to the newly disclosed allegations. She claimed the Justice Department under the Biden administration had refrained from prosecuting Trump because the evidence was insufficient. The files, however, contain thousands of references to Trump, including emails from Epstein himself.
The full set of Epstein files also includes a compilation of accusations against Trump from the Threat Operation Center’s national tip line. These allegations often lack supporting evidence and seem to rely on unverified reports. A prior release in January noted that some documents featured “untrue and sensationalist claims” submitted to the FBI close to the 2020 election, suggesting they might have been used strategically.
Reports by NPR and the New York Times highlighted discrepancies in the initial file releases, noting that three interview summaries and related notes—spanning over 50 pages—were missing from the DOJ’s online archive. NPR suggested the FBI had conducted four interviews with the woman in 2019 as part of its probe into Epstein’s associate Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted of sex trafficking in 2022.
Epstein and Trump were reportedly close for years before their relationship soured in the early 2000s. According to Trump, this rift occurred two years before Epstein’s first arrest. Despite the allegations, no criminal charges have been filed against Trump by survivors who have come forward. The recent subpoena of Attorney General Pam Bondi by a House committee reflects ongoing scrutiny of the DOJ’s handling of the case, following a law passed last November mandating the release of all Epstein-related materials.
