DOJ Withholds Some Epstein Files Linked to Allegation Against Trump

Files related to FBI interviews with a woman who accused Epstein and Trump of sexual abuse are missing from the released Epstein documents.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Department of Justice has not released summaries and notes from three separate FBI interviews with a South Carolina woman who alleged she was a sexual assault victim of Jeffrey Epstein and also made sexual abuse allegations against former President Donald Trump. The files are not included in the unredacted Epstein files available for members of Congress to view at the DOJ, according to a Democratic congressman.

Why it matters

The missing files raise questions about transparency and the DOJ's decision to withhold information related to allegations against a former president, even as it has released thousands of pages of Epstein-related documents. The case highlights ongoing debates around the release of sensitive information, particularly when it involves high-profile individuals.

The details

The woman came forward to federal law enforcement shortly after Epstein's arrest in 2019, alleging he sexually assaulted her when she was 13 years old in 1984. The FBI conducted four interviews with her, but only the summary of the first interview on July 24, 2019 has been released. A source confirmed the woman also made an allegation that she was forced into a sex act with Trump when she was 13 years old in New Jersey, but it's unclear if this was discussed in the other interviews that were not released.

  • The woman came forward to federal law enforcement shortly after Epstein's arrest in 2019.
  • The FBI conducted four interviews with the woman on July 24, 2019, August 7, 2019, August 20, 2019 and October 16, 2019.
  • The Epstein files were released by the DOJ in January 2026.

The players

Jeffrey Epstein

A convicted sex offender who was accused of sexually abusing numerous underage girls.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States, who was accused by the woman of sexual abuse when she was 13 years old.

Robert Garcia

A Democratic congressman who is the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee and viewed the unredacted Epstein files at the DOJ.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“There is definitely, in my opinion, evidence of, of a cover up happening. Why are these documents missing? These documents I personally saw, I know who the survivor is, the name is redacted in the doc, in the manifest document, and there are documents missing from the same survivor that appeared to be interviews or conversations, again, appear to be with the FBI.”

— Robert Garcia, Democratic Congressman (NBC News)

What’s next

The Justice Department has stated it withheld certain files that contained victim information, child sexual abuse materials, or could jeopardize an ongoing investigation. However, the Epstein Files Transparency Act prohibits withholding documents on the basis of 'embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity.' The missing files may prompt further scrutiny and legal action to ensure full transparency.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges around balancing transparency and privacy when releasing sensitive information, especially when it involves high-profile individuals. The missing files raise concerns about potential political influence or a cover-up, underscoring the need for rigorous oversight and a commitment to uncovering the full truth, regardless of the parties involved.