DOJ Updates Epstein Library with Previously Missing Files Involving Trump Allegation
The Justice Department expanded its public Epstein Library on Thursday by adding documents that detail an unsubstantiated allegation against former President Donald Trump. These files, which had been absent from the database mandated by Congress earlier this year, include interviews with a woman who reported to FBI agents in 2019 about an alleged sexual assault by Trump in the early 1980s, when she was a minor.
Details of the Allegations and FBI Documentation
According to the newly uploaded FBI documents, the woman described the encounter with Trump during a period predating his public acknowledgment of knowing Jeffrey Epstein. Trump stated in 2002 that he had known Epstein for 15 years, implying a meeting in the late 1980s, which conflicts with the timeline of the alleged abuse. The files also recount the woman's experiences of mysterious and threatening phone calls over the years following abuse by Epstein and his associates, as well as several "close calls," such as an incident where another vehicle attempted to force her off the road while driving.
Background on the Epstein Case and Congressional Oversight
The Justice Department had been deliberating on whether to include these files, which were identified as missing by reporters and members of Congress. The serial numbers for these documents had been noted on a list of FBI materials provided to Ghislaine Maxwell's attorney during her criminal trial after Epstein's death. Police investigations into Epstein's sex crimes began in the mid-2000s, adding context to the timing of these allegations.
Current Status and Political Reactions
As of Thursday evening, not all missing documents had been uploaded to the Epstein Library. Some files labeled as "interview notes" remained unavailable when searched by their serial numbers from the witness list. The available documents do not indicate the FBI's assessment of the woman's allegations. In response, Representative Melanie Stansbury, a Democrat from New Mexico, who confirmed the documents' absence, posted links to the files and called for action, stating, "Time to subpoena Trump."
The addition of these files underscores ongoing scrutiny into the Epstein case and its connections to high-profile figures, though the allegations against Trump remain unverified and subject to further investigation.
