The official social media account of the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) ignited a firestorm of criticism this week for what many are calling a shockingly unprofessional and childish response to a journalist's legitimate question regarding the release of Jeffrey Epstein-related documents.
A Controversial Document and a Questionable Response
This controversy stems from the DOJ's ongoing release of materials related to the investigations into the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Among the documents made public was a letter allegedly written by Epstein to Larry Nassar, the former USA Gymnastics doctor imprisoned for child sexual abuse. The letter contained inflammatory and unverified claims about a public figure.
Shortly after its release, the DOJ took to the platform X, formerly Twitter, to declare the Epstein-Nassar letter a fake. The department stated the signature did not match Epstein's known handwriting and pointed out the letter was postmarked from Northern Virginia three days after Epstein's death, while he was incarcerated in New York. The DOJ used the incident to caution the public that "just because a document is released by the Department of Justice does not make the allegations or claims within the document factual."
Veteran journalist Jamie Dupree responded to the post with a pointed question: "Okay. So then why would DOJ publicly release something that's fake?" He invited his followers to weigh in. The DOJ's official account, which according to reports is now managed directly by the White House, issued a reply that stunned observers.
The 'Dope' Heard Round the Internet
The DOJ's response to Dupree was blunt and insulting: "Because the law requires us to release all documents related to Jeffrey Epstein in our possession so that’s what we are doing, you dope. Are you suggesting we break the law?" The use of the slang insult "dope" directed at a member of the press was immediately condemned as wildly inappropriate for a federal agency.
Dupree himself took the insult in stride, calling it a "badge of honor and a great Christmas gift." However, the flippant tone from the DOJ did not sit well with politicians, legal observers, and the public.
Widespread Condemnation and Legal Concerns
Criticism was swift and severe. Representative Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican who helped lead the push for the Epstein Files Transparency Act, chastised the DOJ. He noted the department had already broken the law by making illegal redactions and missing the legal deadline for disclosure, questioning who was controlling the account on Christmas Eve and using such language.
Other critics expressed dismay at the erosion of institutional professionalism. One user lamented that the DOJ account sounded "like a 10 year old Fortnite player," while others argued serious government accounts should not mimic the casual, combative tone of fast-food brand marketing. Further accusations emerged that the DOJ had failed to properly redact the names of survivors in the document release, constituting another potential legal violation.
The incident has raised serious questions about the management of official government communications, the adherence to legal mandates in the Epstein files release, and the maintenance of basic decorum by one of the nation's most important institutions.
