On Monday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt responded to a question regarding a recent report from a Democratic senator that the FBI was told to “flag” any records that mentioned President Donald Trump in the federal Jeffrey Epstein files.
Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary, said last week that his office received information that about 1,000 agents were given that instruction. Durbin’s office said it sourced the information from a protected FBI whistleblower disclosure.
Leavitt was asked during a press gaggle, “There are reports FBI agents going through the Epstein files were told to flag President Trump’s name. Is that something the President aware of or he directed?”
Leavitt replied, “I don’t believe that was something the White House was aware of. You would have to ask the FBI.”
Reporter: There are reports FBI agents going through the Epstein files were told to flag President Trump’s name. Is that something the President aware of or he directed?Leavitt: I don’t believe that was something the White House was aware of. You would have to ask the FBI. pic.twitter.com/uGzQhQYhgG
— Acyn (@Acyn) July 21, 2025
Durbin sent letters to Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel, and Deputy Director Dan Bongino seeking clarity on who authorized this directive, what became of the “flagged” records, and why agents—with reportedly limited experience handling sensitive content—were tasked with the alleged work. Durbin’s letter said FBI agents were pressured to review roughly 100,000 Epstein-related records between March 14 and the end of the month.
The reported directive emerged, according to Durbin, amid a larger, rushed FBI review meant to identify documents for potential public release before a memo later announced there was no “incriminating client list,” no credible evidence of blackmail, and no signs Epstein was murdered in his jail cell. Durbin’s office said it wanted a response by August 1, expressing concern that political motives may have shaped what information was flagged or withheld.
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