Epstein’s brother alleges DOJ is ‘scrubbing’ Republican names from files in a Virginia facility

Mark Epstein claimed that the Department of Justice is 'sanitizing' Epstein files to remove Republican names but offered no evidence to support it
PUBLISHED DEC 23, 2025
Mark Epstein alleged the Department of Justice is removing Republican names from Jeffrey Epstein files in Virginia (Rick Friedman/Corbis via Getty Images)
Mark Epstein alleged the Department of Justice is removing Republican names from Jeffrey Epstein files in Virginia (Rick Friedman/Corbis via Getty Images)


WASHINGTON, DC: Mark Epstein, the brother of disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, alleged that the Department of Justice is removing the names of Republicans from the Epstein files at a facility in Winchester, Virginia.

The Justice Department continues to face scrutiny over its heavily redacted release of the Epstein files related to the disgraced financier. The DOJ is accused of failing to comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which required the agency to release all files on Epstein with only limited redactions.

Mark Epstein says DOJ is 'sanitizing these files'

On December 19, the Justice Department released only a fraction of its files on Jeffrey Epstein, with redactions that were widely criticized and, by some, described as unlawful.

President Donald Trump initially opposed efforts to compel the Department of Justice to release the files and dismissed inquiries surrounding the disgraced financier as a “hoax” created by Democrats. He later reversed his position after it became clear that enough Republicans were not aligned with his objections.

Michael Jackson and Jeffrey Epstein seen together in this photo released by the Justice Department on Friday, December 19. (Department of Justice)
Michael Jackson and Jeffrey Epstein seen together in this photo released by the Justice Department on Friday, December 19 (Department of Justice)

During an appearance on Monday, December 22, on NewsNation, Mark Epstein said, “I've been recently told [that] the reason they’re gonna be releasing these things, and the reason for the flip is that they’re sanitizing these files.”

He added, “There’s a facility in Winchester, Virginia, where they’re scrubbing the files to take Republican names out. That’s what I was told by a pretty good source.” However, Mark provided no additional evidence to support his claims.

(DOJ)
Former President Bill Clinton is seen standing next to Jeffrey Epstein (Department of Justice)

Mark has not been accused of any wrongdoing and has said he was unaware of his brother’s crimes until 2006. He has also publicly questioned the circumstances surrounding his brother’s death in 2019, which has fueled speculation due to several unusual aspects of the case.

Clinton camp urges Trump to release all Epstein files

A spokesperson for former President Bill Clinton urged the Trump administration to release all remaining materials from the Epstein case that mention or reference the former president.

The Clinton camp accused the Department of Justice of selectively disclosing documents in a manner that fueled insinuations without providing full context.

In a statement, Clinton spokesperson Angel Urena called on President Donald Trump to direct Attorney General Pam Bondi to immediately make public all remaining Epstein-related records that refer to the former president.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 11: Bill Clinton attends An Evening With President Bill Clinton And James Patterson:
Bill Clinton attends An Evening With President Bill Clinton And James Patterson: 'The First Gentleman' at 92NY on June 11, 2025, in New York City (Rob Kim/Getty Images)

"These include grand jury transcripts, interview notes, photographs and any other materials that may contain Clinton’s name or image. We call on President Trump to direct Attorney General Bondi to immediately release any remaining materials referring to, mentioning or containing a photograph of Bill Clinton," the spokesperson said.

Ureaa also argued that the piecemeal release of documents risks misleading the public and undermines claims of transparency made by the administration.

The spokesperson added, "Refusal to do so will confirm the widespread suspicion the Department of Justice’s actions to date are not about transparency, but about insinuation."

GET BREAKING U.S. NEWS & POLITICAL UPDATES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Federal authorities have placed the FBI in sole charge of the Minneapolis ICE shooting probe, limiting Minnesota law enforcement’s involvement.
3 hours ago
President said federal payments will be frozen starting February 1 for jurisdictions that refuse to cooperate with immigration enforcement
8 hours ago
Former President Bill Clinton skipped a House Oversight deposition in the Epstein probe, prompting Republicans to move toward contempt proceedings
12 hours ago
White House said protections for Somalis living in the US will expire on March 17, 2026, with DHS Secretary Kristi Noem citing improved conditions in Somalia for ending TPS
13 hours ago
President Trump lashes out at Minnesota amid anti-ICE protests, defending agents and threatening action in a Truth Social post
14 hours ago
Attorney General Keith Ellison alleges excessive force and legal violations in the deployment of thousands of ICE and DHS officers in Minnesota
15 hours ago
Randy Fine of Florida introduced the Greenland Annexation and Statehood Act to make Greenland the 51st US state after President Donald Trump’s push
1 day ago
Elizabeth Warren urged Democrats to confront economic pressures, saying that voters wanted leaders who tackled affordability and broken systems
1 day ago
President Donald Trump warned that a Supreme Court ruling against tariffs could hurt the economy, forcing the US to repay billions
1 day ago
GOP bill sought ban on stock trades as the measure targeted lawmakers, spouses, and children, requiring advance disclosures and penalties for breaches
1 day ago