WASHINGTON, D.C. — A massive transparency crisis is unfolding at the Department of Justice following an NPR investigation that found the agency withheld and removed critical files from the public Jeffrey Epstein database. The missing records reportedly include over 50 pages of FBI "302" interview memos detailing allegations that President Donald Trump sexually abused a 13-year-old girl in the 1980s.

The investigation, which used unique serial numbers to track gaps in the 3.5 million-page database, suggests the DOJ violated the Epstein Files Transparency Act—a law President Trump himself signed into effect.

The "Bates Stamp" Smoking Gun

Investigators discovered the discrepancies by cross-referencing "Bates stamps" (serial numbers) on documents provided to Ghislaine Maxwell’s legal team against those released to the public. The audit found that while 15 documents were listed in the evidence logs for a specific accuser, only seven were made public.

The missing records reportedly detail a 1983 incident where the accuser claims she was introduced to Trump by Epstein. According to an internal DOJ PowerPoint titled "Prominent Names," the woman alleged Trump physically and sexually assaulted her after she resisted his advances.

A Parallel Investigation Begins

The political fallout reached a boiling point today. Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), ranking member of the House Oversight Committee, confirmed that he reviewed unredacted logs at the DOJ and accused the department of "illegally withholding" evidence.

"Oversight Democrats can confirm the DOJ appears to have scrubbed interviews with a survivor who accused the President of heinous crimes," Garcia stated. He announced the launch of a parallel investigation to force the release of the "Missing 53" pages.

The DOJ and White House Response

The Department of Justice has denied any illegal activity. Spokeswoman Natalie Baldassarre stated that any documents not published were "duplicates, privileged, or part of an ongoing federal investigation."

The White House similarly dismissed the reports. Spokeswoman Abigail Jackson told reporters that the President has been "totally exonerated" and that the missing files contain "untrue and sensationalist claims." She emphasized that Trump has "done more for Epstein’s victims than anyone before him" by authorizing the file release in the first place.

Sources: Politico, NPR, The Guardian, House Oversight Commitee