A White House meeting erupts over DOJ and FBI’s memo on Epstein case files as fallout spreads and top officials clash.

FBI Deputy Director Clashes with DOJ Over Epstein Case Files

Intense divisions within the upper ranks of the Department of Justice and FBI spilled into public view this week following a closed-door White House meeting focused on the handling of Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking case files. According to multiple sources, FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino raised his voice during heated exchanges with White House chief of staff Susie Wiles and Attorney General Pam Bondi, ultimately storming out in frustration. Insiders indicate Bongino is now considering resignation as tensions over the agency’s communication and transparency continue to rise.

The dispute centers on a memo jointly released by the DOJ and FBI announcing the conclusion of their review of Epstein’s files. The memo stated that no new information had been found to support additional charges, and that much of the nonpublic material remains sealed by court order or contains sensitive victim data. This announcement, first reported in Axios, triggered widespread anger among supporters who had demanded full disclosure, especially regarding rumors of a so-called “client list.”

Memo Release Fuels MAGA Base Fury

Bongino, a former Secret Service agent and popular podcast host before joining the FBI’s senior leadership, had previously voiced suspicions about undisclosed details in the Epstein case. On his show, he suggested that the “client list” was being intentionally hidden and that its release would shake the political establishment. The latest DOJ-FBI memo, however, unequivocally denied the existence of any such incriminating list and poured cold water on the theories advanced by Bongino and others.

Attorney General Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel reportedly continued to coordinate closely despite the memo fallout. A DOJ spokesperson declined to comment, while White House officials disputed claims that Wiles had been the subject of Bongino’s anger during the meeting. However, multiple sources confirmed Bongino’s deep frustration with the agency’s communication strategy and Bondi’s handling of the situation.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche released a statement on X, dismissing speculation of a rift within DOJ and FBI leadership. “The idea that there was any daylight between the agencies during the memo’s preparation or release is patently false,” Blanche wrote, adding that Bongino was fully briefed and on board with the final statement.

Epstein Case Continues to Cast Long Shadow

The political fallout over the memo comes amid continued scrutiny of how authorities handled Epstein’s case. Epstein, a financier with connections to high-profile figures, was indicted in 2019 for sex trafficking of minors. His associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, is currently serving a 20-year sentence after her conviction for conspiring to sexually abuse underage victims.

The DOJ and FBI reiterated in their memo that significant portions of the Epstein case remain under judicial seal due to privacy and the presence of explicit material. Supporters and some lawmakers, however, remain unsatisfied, with factions demanding greater transparency and renewed investigation into anyone who may have escaped accountability.

For now, the public rift among senior law enforcement officials and the White House only underscores the enduring controversy and deep mistrust surrounding one of America’s most high-profile criminal cases.