Key Takeaways
- Over one thousand staff in two divisions reviewed Epstein and Maxwell records
- Agents logged any mention of Trump in spreadsheets by file and page
- Review steps shifted four times, causing confusion and delays
- Files sat on a shared drive without normal security rules
- Videos of training went out on unclassified networks
What Happened A legal expert has confirmed that the FBI asked agents to hunt for any mention of Donald Trump in the Jeffrey Epstein files. The search began in mid March and lasted for weeks. Agents endured shifts up to forty eight hours. They had to read pages fast and mark each time they saw Trump’s name. Then they logged every hit in an Excel sheet.
How the Task Was Assigned First, the bureau’s Information Management Division teamed with the New York Field Office. Together they put over one thousand people on the job. The goal was to sort through about one hundred thousand files. That meant nearly three hundred thousand pages. Agents worked around the clock in shifts. They did not learn about flagging Trump until partway through.
Shifting Instructions The review rules changed at least four times. Each day could bring a new order. Sometimes the change caused longer waits than actual work. One insider said the team felt like it was in panic mode. They often sat idle until fresh details arrived. That slowed the process and left many pages untouched for a time.
Logging Mentions of Trump When agents got the flagging order, they searched each document for “Trump.” On finding it, they noted the file name and page number. They used a shared spreadsheet on an open drive. At the end of each shift, they handed in their sheet. The next crew picked up where the first left off.
Confusion Over Permissions The shared files lived on a drive anyone in the division could open. Normally only project members get special access. Yet here, the rules were relaxed. Later, the agents moved to a bureau SharePoint site. But that site also lacked strict controls. As a result, a much larger group could view the files.
Security Gaps in the System Experts point out that sharing sensitive files this way risks leaks. In fact, staff had video training on how to flag Trump’s name. Those videos went out on unclassified networks. They also came from Department of Justice trainers, not the FBI. That meant even more people saw the process details.
The Role of DOJ Trainers Toward the end of the review, DOJ staff led training sessions. They showed agents how to spot mentions and log them correctly. Video files of those sessions remained on open systems. That fact worries some insiders because it broadens the audience. Anyone with basic bureau network access could watch.
What They Found Only one confirmed mention of Trump appeared in the files so far. An anonymous analyst discovered that hit during the review. There may be more mentions, but the expert could not confirm exact numbers. However, a master log tracks each mention in detail. It could shed light on the full count.
Why This Matters Many see this review as part of a larger effort to reveal key names in the Epstein saga. Epstein had ties to many powerful figures. Trump appears in some documents but not all. Yet focusing on Trump alone raised questions about fairness. Critics wonder why only one name got special treatment.
Impact on Public Trust People expect federal agencies to guard secret files carefully. When files leak or lack proper protection, trust erodes. Here, agents worked under shifting rules in a rush. That rush may have opened doors to unauthorized viewers. The mishandling leaves room for leaks and false reports.
Reactions and Next Steps Lawmakers have asked for more details on who ordered the Trump flagging. They want to know why regular security steps were skipped. Agents and staff await further word from agency leaders. Meanwhile, the master log remains an important piece of evidence.
Looking Ahead The FBI must now decide how to secure these files better. It must also answer questions about selective flagging. In the future, clear rules and strong controls can help avoid such chaos. That will protect sensitive files and ensure fair reviews.
Conclusion Reviewing the Epstein and Maxwell records has proved complex and messy. Over one thousand agents labored under shifting orders and weak security. They logged each Trump mention in shared spreadsheets and watched unclassified training videos. Now the bureau faces pressure to explain why it treated one name differently. The master log they built may hold the answers.