FBI Redacted Trump's Name in Epstein Files Under Privacy Protocols
Names were withheld because individuals were private citizens during 2006 investigation
The FBI redacted President Donald Trump's name and those of other high-profile individuals from government files related to Jeffrey Epstein, according to sources familiar with the matter. The redactions were made by FBI employees reviewing the Epstein files for potential public release. These names were withheld under privacy protections because the individuals, including Trump, were private citizens when the federal investigation into Epstein began in 2006.
The document review was part of a broader effort following Trump's campaign promise to declassify Epstein-related files. In March, FBI Director Kash Patel directed special agents to join the bureau's FOIA employees in reviewing Epstein-related documents. The task involved approximately 1,000 FBI agents and personnel reviewing more than 100,000 documents, according to a July letter from Senator Dick Durbin to Attorney General Pam Bondi.
KEY POINTS
- •FBI redacted Trump's name in Epstein files
- •Privacy rules applied to private citizens
- •Durbin calls for Trump to allow disclosure
FBI personnel identified numerous references to Trump and other high-profile figures in the documents. The records were reviewed using Freedom of Information Act guidelines to determine what information should be withheld. The FBI's FOIA officers applied redactions in accordance with the nine exemptions established by Congress to balance public disclosure against protecting sensitive interests such as privacy and national security.
Last month, the Department of Justice and FBI concluded that no further disclosure of the files would be appropriate. Senator Durbin stated that Trump has the power to consent to the release of his name in the files. The review process was initiated after Epstein, who died in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal charges of sex trafficking of minors, became the subject of renewed public interest following investigations into the government's handling of his case.
The appearance of a person's name in the documents does not indicate they were under investigation or accused of wrongdoing. Epstein avoided federal sex-trafficking charges in 2008 when he pleaded guilty to state charges in Florida for soliciting prostitution. In 2019, following an investigation by the Miami Herald that scrutinized the government's probe, Epstein was indicted on federal charges before his death in custody.