DOJ Launches Review After Trump-Linked Documents Surface in Epstein Files

The Department of Justice announced on Thursday that it is actively reviewing documents that seem to be absent from the public release of the Jeffrey Epstein files, which include unverified allegations against former President Donald Trump. This revelation follows investigative reporting that highlighted the omission just days prior.

Under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, the Justice Department has made available millions of documents, encompassing thousands of emails, court records, photographs, and videos. Many of these materials reference prominent figures, including Trump himself.

However, the released documents appear to lack crucial FBI memos summarizing interviews conducted regarding claims made by a woman who alleged she was sexually assaulted by both Epstein and Trump decades ago when she was a minor. These allegations surfaced after Epstein's arrest in 2019.

The absence of these memos was first reported by NPR on February 24, following earlier findings by independent journalist Roger Sollenberger. A review by The Independent confirmed that these memos are indeed missing from the released files.

In response to inquiries, the White House referred additional questions to the Justice Department. Notably, Trump has not faced any criminal charges related to these allegations, and his presence in the files does not imply guilt. White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson stated on Tuesday that Trump has been “totally exonerated on anything relating to Epstein.”

Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing, asserting that he severed ties with Epstein long before the latter became embroiled in legal troubles. He has labeled efforts to disclose the complete files as a “hoax” orchestrated by Democratic officials aimed at undermining his agenda. Furthermore, Trump has initiated legal action against a major publication over an alleged letter to Epstein, which he described as “false, malicious and defamatory.”

In light of the missing documents, Rep. Robert Garcia, the leading Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, announced that the committee has initiated its own investigation into this matter. The existence of the memos was previously indicated in an index listing investigative materials related to the woman’s allegations.

According to this index, FBI agents conducted four interviews concerning her claims and documented summaries for each session. While one summary detailing her accusations against Epstein was released, three others appear to be unaccounted for.

NPR's analysis revealed serial numbers preceding and following the missing pages, which are stamped on various documents within the Justice Department’s Epstein files database. This investigation uncovered numerous pages cataloged by the DOJ but not made publicly available, a finding later corroborated by The Independent.

Following the woman’s initial allegations against Epstein and Trump in 2019, the FBI conducted interviews on four separate occasions that year, as noted in previously released evidence catalogs related to Ghislaine Maxwell's case.

Only one FBI summary from those interviews is included in the released files, notably one that does not mention any allegations against Trump.

After reviewing un-redacted evidence logs on Monday, Garcia asserted that the FBI “illegally withheld” those interview summaries.

The contents of these missing documents remain unclear, as does their absence from public view. The Justice Department stated on Tuesday that no documents have been erased and suggested that they may have been withheld due to “an ongoing federal investigation.”

“If files are temporarily pulled for victim redactions or to redact Personally Identifiable Information, then those documents are promptly restored online and are publicly available,” the DOJ clarified.

In response to inquiries from The Independent, a DOJ spokeswoman provided social media posts elaborating on the review process after news outlets raised concerns about missing files.

“As the Department of Justice has consistently stated since January 30, 2026, if any member of the public, including victims, reports concerns regarding information in the pages, the Department will review, make corrections if necessary, and republish online,” the agency explained.

“As with all documents flagged by the public, the Department is currently reviewing files within that category,” it continued. “Should any document be found improperly tagged during this review process and responsive to the Act, it will be published in accordance with legal requirements.”

Legislation signed into law by Trump in November mandated that the Justice Department release all files related to investigations involving Epstein by December 19.

Despite missing deadlines for full disclosure of all documents held by federal law enforcement, the DOJ has published millions of pages connected to Epstein's case.

Trump’s name appears numerous times throughout these files; he socialized with Epstein during the 1990s and 2000s. Epstein once referred to himself as Trump’s “closest friend.”

“Some of the documents contain untrue and sensationalist claims against President Trump that were submitted to the FBI right before the 2020 election,” stated the Justice Department last month as they released a significant volume of materials.

The DOJ characterized those claims as “unfounded and false.”