FBI redacted Trump’s name from Epstein files citing ‘privacy exemptions’: Report
The FBI redacted Donald Trump’s name and those of other public figures from investigation files concerning Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender who died in jail in 2019, invoking privacy protections, a report shows.
According to three sources familiar with the matter, an FBI Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) team redacted the names before the bureau and the Department of Justice (DOJ) concluded that “no further disclosure” of the documents “would be appropriate or warranted,” Bloomberg reported on Friday.
The FBI tried to justify the redactions using two FOIA exemptions.
✍️ Feature - Inside the Epstein saga: Untangling his ties to Israeli spy agency, US presidents
— Press TV 🔻 (@PressTV) July 27, 2025
By Maryam Qarehgozlou
Read More: https://t.co/LkZKBtKqBS pic.twitter.com/sxcvDv4A57
Those were Exemption 6, which protects against “a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy,” and Exemption 7(C), which shields information in law enforcement records that “could reasonably be expected to constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.”
Trump, a private citizen during the launch of the federal Epstein investigation in 2006, was thus considered entitled to privacy protections.
A White House spokesperson referred questions about the redactions to the FBI, which declined to comment. The DOJ did not respond to repeated inquiries.
In February, Attorney General Pam Bondi held a White House event to release, what she called was, the “first phase” of the Epstein files, attended by right-wing influencers.
The 200 pages she presented, including Epstein’s “black book,” were not new and had previously appeared during Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell’s trial.
The “black book” listed Trump, his wife Melania Trump, and other family members.
Bondi later demanded accountability from FBI Director Kash Patel for not receiving thousands of requested pages.
Following this, Patel directed agents from New York and Washington to assist FOIA staff in reviewing over 100,000 Epstein-related documents. The effort involved nearly 1,000 personnel.
Michael Seidel, head of the FBI’s Record/Information Dissemination Section (RIDS), opposed the directives and was later pushed into retirement. The details of Seidel’s exit had not been previously reported.
Trump's own supporters have reacted to the overall matter with outrage, accusing his administration of a cover-up.
Influential podcaster Joe Rogan has alleged the administration was “trying to gaslight” its own base.
Trump responded on his Truth Social platform by blaming Democrats for the “fake” scandal.
Now, Trump could choose to release his name by signing a privacy waiver, or it could be revealed after his death, when most privacy rights expire.
Ex-Honduran president convicted of drug trafficking freed by Trump pardon
Trump calls Somali immigrants, Ilhan Omar ‘garbage’ amid deportations
FBI turning into ‘rudderless ship’ under Kash Patel: Report
Iran drawn against Belgium, Egypt, New Zealand in 2026 FIFA World Cup Group G
VIDEO | Press TV's news headlines
VIDEO | UAE-backed separatists seize key provinces in eastern Yemen
VIDEO | New data reveals India’s exports slide sharply over US tariffs
Man shot dead leaving mosque as Israeli raids, settler violence sweep West Bank
Niger accuses French nuclear giant Orano of ‘mass crimes’
Iran, Russia sign agreement to boost AI, cyber security cooperation
Lebanon’s Parliament Speaker: Talks under fire ‘unacceptable’
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
