Bondi's DOJ Withheld Epstein Files Containing Allegations About Trump and a 13-Year-Old
NPR found the DOJ removed and withheld Epstein files specifically containing allegations that Trump sexually abused a 13-year-old. Only the files mentioning Trump were excluded. The DOJ claimed they were "duplicates."
An NPR investigation published February 24, 2026 found that dozens of pages had been withheld or removed from the public Epstein files database — and the excluded documents specifically contained accusations about Trump.
What the withheld files contained:
- An FBI interview with a woman who described abuse beginning around age 13 while attending the Interlochen Center for the Arts
- An FBI email summarizing claims that around 1983, Epstein introduced the woman to Trump, "who subsequently forced her head down to his exposed penis which she subsequently bit. In response, Trump punched her in the head and kicked her out."
- 37 pages remained missing from the public database even after partial restoration, including interview notes, law enforcement reports, and license records
An interview document was removed from the DOJ's public files sometime after initial publication, according to document metadata. The DOJ claimed the missing documents were "duplicates" or "privileged" but could not explain why only the files mentioning Trump were excluded.
After congressional and media pressure, the DOJ published approximately 50,000 previously removed files on March 5, 2026. House Oversight Committee Ranking Member Robert Garcia announced a formal investigation into the withholding.
Separately, AG Bondi appeared at a House Judiciary hearing with a printed document labeled "Jayapal Pramila Search History" — revealing the DOJ was tracking which specific Epstein files lawmakers were accessing. Bipartisan outrage erupted; House Speaker Johnson called it "inappropriate."