FBI’s Dan Bongino Reacts to Epstein Files ‘Redactions’ Email

By Robert Alexander

Senior Crime & Court Reporter

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The release of newly obtained FBI emails concerning the government’s review and redaction of the Jeffrey Epstein files has prompted public responses from senior officials, including Deputy Director Dan Bongino.

The communications, obtained by journalist Jason Leopold through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), provide a partial look inside the bureau’s internal "Epstein Transparency Project," which oversaw the preparation of the files for public release earlier this year.

The FBI's formal FOIA response to Leopold confirms that 220 pages were reviewed and 61 pages released, the remainder withheld under various exemptions, including those protecting ongoing law-enforcement activity, privacy, and investigative techniques.

Newsweek contacted the DOJ and FBI for comment via email outside of normal office hours on Monday.

Why It Matters

The dispute over the FBI’s handling of the Epstein files has become a test of the government’s willingness to be transparent about wrongdoing involving powerful people.

The newly released emails offer a rare look at the bureau’s internal redaction process, raising broader questions about how much of the long-awaited records the public will ultimately see and how the FBI balances legal constraints with demands for accountability.

As scrutiny of the Epstein investigation persists nationally, the way these files are processed has implications not only for public trust but for the credibility of future disclosures in high-profile cases.

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What To Know

Epstein, a disgraced financier, was a convicted sex offender who was federally charged with sex trafficking in 2019. He died in prison before he could be brought to trial.

Bongino is a former Secret Service agent and media commentator who was appointed deputy director of the FBI earlier this year.

One email chain included in the FOIA release (March 11, 2025) shows FBI officials discussing "guidance from the GC on the types of redactions to apply to these documents so we can process the right way out of the gate." [‘GC’—FBI’s Office of the General Counsel (OGC)]

This email was forwarded to Bongino as part of an internal update shortly after he joined the bureau.

Following public circulation of excerpts from the release, Bongino addressed the matter on X.

Responding to a post asserting that he had been "approached in March to help redact and censor the Epstein files," Bongino wrote: "I entered on duty on March 17th. The emails in the chain you see forwarded to me, at my request, were sent before I began in my position. I wanted to review what had been done before I entered on duty. It was a priority and, as you can see, they responded immediately. I’m glad that these emails are available for your review."

Leopold, whose FOIA litigation produced the emails, also posted that Bongino "responds to FBI emails I obtained via FOIA about the processing & redaction of Epstein files, including one email sent to him," adding that the FBI "withheld 160 pages from me."

Inside The FBI’s Redaction Effort

The emails referenced by Leopold and included in the FOIA release depict an expansive, time-sensitive redaction operation.

The bureau describes its work as part of the "Epstein Transparency Project" and, in some communications, the "Special Redaction Project."

Training materials, workflow guidelines, and coordination between multiple divisions—including the OGC and the Information Management Division—are referenced throughout the document set.

A March 10 email from Assistant Director Shannon Parry notes the need for "guidance from the GC on the types of redactions the FBI should apply to these files."

Another email from March 22 states that "updated training materials and workflow guidance is expected for dissemination later tonight," reflecting ongoing instructions as personnel prepared files for Department of Justice review.

The FOIA-released overtime records show that FBI personnel devoted 4,737 hours of overtime to the project between January and July 2025, with more than 70 percent of that occurring in March.

The cost associated with overtime during the period of March 17—22 alone totaled $851,344, according to tables included within the FOIA record set.

Video And Evidence Review

The FOIA materials also describe the classification of various categories of videos reviewed, including "search warrant execution photos," "street surveillance video," and "aerial footage from FBI search warrant execution."

A separate email references an April 15 review of video from the New York City jail where Epstein died in 2019.

Public Transparency And Political Scrutiny

The renewed interest in the Epstein files follows legislation signed by President Donald Trump earlier this month requiring the Justice Department to prepare the records for public release.

Leopold’s reporting notes, published by Bloomberg, that the government’s cache comprises more than 300 gigabytes of data and physical evidence from the Epstein investigation.

Bongino’s public comments underscore the bureau’s position that the emails reflect procedural briefings rather than evidence of improper influence.

The FOIA-released records, heavily redacted in places, document an ongoing effort across multiple FBI components to fulfill legal and procedural requirements for public disclosure.

As the Department of Justice continues its review, the released documents offer one of the clearest available glimpses into how the FBI handled one of the most politically sensitive document releases in recent memory.

What People Are Saying

Dan Bongino FBI Deputy Director, told Fox News July 26: "What I have learned in the course of our properly predicated and necessary investigations into these aforementioned matters, has shocked me down to my core. We cannot run a Republic like this. I’ll never be the same after learning what I’ve learned."

Jason Leopold, Investigative Journalist, through his FOIA request said: "Here's a rare look behind the scenes at the FBI's review of the Epstein files in March, based on emails I obtained via FOIA. Dan Bongino was copied on an email related to "guidance on the types of redactions to apply."

What Happens Next

The next phase in the Epstein records saga shifts from the FBI to the Justice Department, which will now decide what portions of the files can be released under the new transparency law, likely prompting further scrutiny of what remains withheld.

Additional FOIA litigation, potential court challenges, and heightened congressional interest are expected as journalists, advocates, and victims’ attorneys push for fuller disclosure.

More internal documents could surface through supplemental searches, and the government may face pressure to justify redactions—especially of withheld videos.

Rather than settling the issue, the initial release is likely to trigger a new cycle of legal, political, and public demands for clarity about one of the most scrutinized cases in recent memory.

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