FBI Redacts Trump From Epstein Files Amid Criticism

The FBI, under internal directives, redacted Donald Trump's name and those of other high-profile individuals from Jeffrey Epstein-related files during a comprehensive review earlier this year. Around 1,000 FBI agents were tasked with flagging references to Trump across roughly 100,000 pages of records, with FOIA officers citing standard privacy protections for private citizens at the time of the original investigation. The Department of Justice stated that no evidence linking Trump to criminal acts or a 'client list' was found, though his name appeared in Epstein's contact book and flight logs. The DOJ and FBI's refusal to release further documents has fueled bipartisan criticism and intensified scrutiny over transparency. Critics argue that the redactions amount to selective secrecy, while authorities maintain that privacy exemptions are routinely applied, even for public figures. Trump and his administration have dismissed continued demands for full disclosure, calling the controversy a 'hoax' and encouraging supporters to move on.