Trump Slammed for ‘Blatant Violation’ of Epstein Law After Redacted Bannon Phone Evidence Surfaces

New allegations are raising fresh questions about whether President Donald Trump and his allies benefited from protections during the ongoing release of federal documents tied to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Progressive commentator Brian Tyler Cohen, in a video posted Sunday, accused the administration of violating the Epstein Files Transparency Act by heavily redacting material that appears unrelated to victim protection. The law, signed by Trump in November 2025, requires the release of unclassified Epstein-related records and limits redactions to matters involving victim identities, minors, or national security.

A key example driving the criticism centers on an internal Justice Department email referencing data pulled from the cellphone of former White House adviser Steve Bannon during a separate investigation. The email indicates the data included a photograph of Trump alongside Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell — but in the publicly released files, the photo is fully blacked out.

Cohen argued there is “no legal justification” for blocking the image, saying the transparency law does not allow suppressing material simply because it could embarrass public officials. “Redactions exist for victims and minors, not to spare embarrassment for those in power,” he said, suggesting the edits signal political favoritism rather than compliance with the law.

The controversy comes as the Department of Justice faces ongoing scrutiny for missing its statutory December 19 deadline to release all qualifying Epstein records. Instead, officials opted for a phased rollout while continuing internal reviews, prompting criticism that the department is managing political fallout rather than honoring the full transparency Congress intended.

The law explicitly bars redactions based on reputational harm, embarrassment, or political sensitivity. Yet critics note that names, emails, and images tied to influential figures remain blocked out in multiple files — fueling suspicions about who is being shielded, and why.

Opponents of the administration argue the handling contradicts Trump’s repeated promises of “law and order” and openness surrounding the case. Legal analysts say that if the disputed redactions are shown not to involve victims or national security, the Justice Department could face lawsuits or additional oversight action from Congress.

Lawmakers are now expected to press for detailed explanations about how redaction decisions are being made, and whether they comply with the letter of the transparency statute. For Epstein survivors and accountability advocates, the unanswered questions have intensified pressure on federal officials to release the remaining documents in full and clarify why some information remains hidden.

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