UPDATE: The Department of Justice (DOJ) is in damage control following a shocking revelation involving Joseph Schnitt, an Acting Deputy Chief, who was secretly recorded discussing a potential manipulation of Jeffrey Epstein files to protect Republicans. This urgent news broke on August 31, 2025, as political activist James O’Keefe released footage from an undercover operation during a date on the Hinge dating app.
In the explosive video, Schnitt claims the DOJ would “redact every Republican or conservative person in those files” while leaving “all the liberal, Democratic people” intact, suggesting a slanted release of sensitive information. He also criticized the decision to transfer Epstein’s accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell, to a lower-security prison, implying it was a strategic move to silence her.
This scandal has immediate implications for DOJ leadership, particularly for Attorney General Pam Bondi, who faces intensified scrutiny over her handling of the Epstein case. Schnitt’s comments reveal an internal conflict within the DOJ, particularly with FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino, who has pushed for full transparency regarding the Epstein files.
Following the video’s release, the DOJ attempted to mitigate the fallout through various channels. Schnitt sent an email to superiors detailing the circumstances of his date and the covert recording. He stated, “Had I a clue, the first date would have immediately ended.” The DOJ’s spokesperson tweeted that Schnitt’s claims “have absolutely zero bearing with reality” and emphasized their commitment to transparency.
This situation is especially sensitive given the ongoing investigations surrounding Epstein, who died in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal charges related to sex trafficking of minors. Maxwell, convicted on multiple charges, is currently serving a 20-year sentence.
The fallout from the video has reignited discussions about the DOJ’s transparency, which has been under fire for months. Recently, Republicans on the House Oversight Committee released over 33,000 DOJ files related to Epstein, including jail surveillance footage and court documents. Critics have pointed out that much of this information was already public, raising further allegations of a cover-up.
Survivors of Epstein’s abuse rallied on Capitol Hill earlier this week, sharing their harrowing experiences and demanding justice. Amid this turmoil, former President Donald Trump criticized the renewed focus on the Epstein case, calling it a “Democratic hoax” designed to distract from his administration’s achievements.
As this story develops, the implications for the DOJ and its leadership could be far-reaching. The fallout from Schnitt’s comments may lead to further inquiries into the handling of the Epstein case, and the public’s demand for transparency continues to grow.
Stay tuned for more updates as this urgent situation unfolds.