Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) said new details surrounding the release of documents tied to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation raise serious questions about why certain records referencing President Donald Trump were initially withheld.
Speaking with host Jen Psaki on MS NOW, Whitehouse pointed to recently released FBI interview summaries, known as “302s,” that were originally withheld by the Department of Justice (DOJ) on the grounds that they were “duplicative.”
Officials have since acknowledged that explanation was incorrect.
Whitehouse said the circumstances surrounding the withheld documents were suspicious because the three records initially kept from the public all referenced allegations made by an at-the-time 14-year-old teenager who told investigators she had been sexually and physically assaulted by Trump.
“There were four 302s,” Whitehouse pointed out. “They released the one that didn’t mention Trump and held back the other three.”
He explained that FBI 302s are summaries of interviews conducted by agents during investigations. The remaining unreleased material—about 37 pages—likely consists of the underlying investigative notes taken by agents during those interviews, he stated.
Whitehouse argued that those records could contain significant information and should be made public.
According to the senator, the documents also indicate that investigators considered the witness credible enough to continue interviewing her. The final FBI summary invited the witness to return to provide additional testimony, he said, though she later declined to do so because she feared retaliation.
Whitehouse said the existence of additional investigative notes makes the remaining unreleased material particularly important.
“That is a considerable trove of information that ought to be released,” he said.
Whitehouse Calls Out Bondi, Trump On The Epstein Files
Psaki also asked Whitehouse about the role of U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, who is facing growing scrutiny over how the DOJ handled the Epstein files.
The House Oversight Committee voted last week to subpoena Bondi over the matter. Psaki noted that the Senate Judiciary Committee—on which Whitehouse serves—also has oversight authority over the DOJ, although individual senators cannot compel testimony on their own.
Whitehouse said Bondi will face tough questioning when she appears before lawmakers.
He criticized the DOJ’s handling of the documents, saying the controversy began when Bondi publicly suggested the files were readily available and then pulled the ridiculous publicity stunt last year with right-wing influencers that disappointed investigators and advocates seeking transparency.
“That weird non-release of the Trump-related documents puts a spotlight on them,” Whitehouse said.
Whitehouse also suggested the broader investigation should examine connections among Trump, Epstein and Russia, arguing that understanding the full scope of the issue requires examining all three elements.
He pointed to reporting showing numerous references to Trump in Epstein-related files and urged journalists and investigators, particularly Roger Sollenberger, to continue examining the connections.
“If you really want to understand this whole saga,” Whitehouse said, “you’ve got to look at all three pieces: Trump, Epstein, Russia.”
