Washington, D.C. – The Department of Justice is facing a public relations crisis after conservative activist James O’Keefe released a video on Thursday, featuring a DOJ staffer allegedly claiming the agency would “redact every Republican” from files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein while leaving names of “liberal, Democratic people” unredacted.
The DOJ swiftly responded, with the implicated official, Acting Deputy Chief Joseph Schnitt, issuing a statement clarifying that his remarks were personal opinions based on media reports, not insider knowledge, as the controversy reignites debates over transparency in the Epstein case under President Donald Trump’s administration.
O’Keefe’s Video Ignites Outrage
In a post on X, O’Keefe, known for his hidden-camera stings through Project Veritas and O’Keefe Media Group, shared a selectively edited video purportedly showing Schnitt, a senior DOJ official in the Office of Enforcement Operations, making explosive claims.
“They’ll redact every Republican or conservative person in those files, leave all the liberal, Democratic people in those files,” Schnitt allegedly said, suggesting a politically slanted release of Epstein’s documents. He further claimed that Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s convicted accomplice, was moved to a minimum-security prison in violation of Bureau of Prisons (BOP) policy, implying a deal to “keep her mouth shut.”
The video, which O’Keefe touted as a “bombshell,” quickly gained traction on X, fueling outrage among conservative users who accused the DOJ of partisan bias. The allegations align with broader frustrations from Trump’s MAGA base, which has criticized the administration for failing to fully release Epstein files as promised during the 2024 campaign.
DOJ’s Response and Schnitt’s Defense
The DOJ moved quickly to contain the fallout, posting a statement on X from Schnitt, who confirmed he was the individual in the video but disputed its implications.
Schnitt revealed he met a woman named Skylar on the dating app Hinge in July 2025, unaware she was an undercover operative working for O’Keefe. “We had two dates (August 4 and August 16),” Schnitt wrote. “She gave no clues that she was a reporter or recording our dates. Had I a clue, the first date would have ended immediately and there never would have been a second one.”
Schnitt insisted his comments were “my own personal comments on what I’ve learned in the media and not from anything I’ve done at or learned via work.” He specifically noted that when asked about Maxwell, he told the operative he only knew what was reported publicly.
The DOJ echoed this, stating on X that Schnitt “had no role in the Department’s internal review of Epstein materials” and that his remarks “have absolutely zero bearing with reality and reflect a total lack of knowledge of the DOJ’s review process.”
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and compliance with the House Oversight Committee’s requests for Epstein documents, which include a 33,000-page release on August 29, 2025, criticized as largely redundant.
Context of the Epstein Case
The video’s release comes amid heightened scrutiny of the Trump administration’s handling of Epstein-related files. Epstein, who died in 2019, and Maxwell, serving 20 years for sex trafficking, have been at the center of public demands for disclosure of their associates. A July 7 DOJ memo, which found no evidence of a “client list” or blackmail, drew backlash for halting further public releases, prompting accusations of a cover-up from both conservatives and progressives.
Attorney General Pam Bondi filed a motion in New York federal court to release Epstein’s grand jury transcripts, a move seen as an attempt to appease critics. However, legal experts note that secrecy rules may limit what can be disclosed. Maxwell’s recent meetings with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche under limited immunity have further fueled speculation about potential revelations, though no new details have emerged.
Public Reactions So Far
The O’Keefe video has polarized reactions on X, with MAGA supporters amplifying claims of DOJ bias and hashtags like #ReleaseTheEpsteinFiles trending. Critics, including Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA), have called the DOJ’s redactions a “White House cover-up,” while some Republicans, like Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), joined bipartisan calls for full transparency at a September 3 press conference with Epstein victims.
Schnitt’s entrapment by an undercover operative has drawn sympathy from some, who argue O’Keefe’s tactics are deceptive, while others see his comments as evidence of internal DOJ dysfunction. The controversy has intensified distrust, with a YouGov poll showing 79% of Americans, including 47% of Republicans, suspect an Epstein cover-up.
Why It Matters
The incident shows ongoing tensions over the Epstein case, which involves over 1,000 confirmed victims and a web of high-profile connections, including Trump’s documented social ties to Epstein in the 1990s and 2000s. While no evidence links Trump to Epstein’s crimes, the administration’s limited disclosures have frustrated allies and opponents alike.
As the House Oversight Committee’s August 19 subpoena for DOJ records progresses and Bondi’s motion awaits a ruling, the Epstein saga remains a political flashpoint. The O’Keefe video, whether substantiated or not, has amplified calls for accountability, testing the administration’s transparency pledges and shaping narratives ahead of the 2026 midterms.
https://t.co/N5BGMBZRTe pic.twitter.com/CFIly8IoHV
— U.S. Department of Justice (@TheJusticeDept) September 4, 2025
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What Next?
The DOJ’s damage control efforts may face further challenges as O’Keefe teases additional tapes. Schnitt’s statement aims to defuse the controversy, but public skepticism persists.
Whether the grand jury transcripts or ongoing congressional probes yield new information, the Epstein case continues to loom large, with the O’Keefe video adding fuel to an already contentious debate over bias and justice.
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