• Acting deputy chief caught on hidden camera discussing politically manipulated document release
• Department distances itself from Schnitt’s claims, saying he had no review role
• Video recorded during dating app encounter with undercover O’Keefe Media Group journalist

WASHINGTON, D.C. (TDR) — A Department of Justice official was captured on hidden camera claiming the government would redact Republican names from Jeffrey Epstein-related files while leaving Democratic names visible, sparking controversy over transparency in the high-profile investigation into the convicted sex offender.

“They’ll [DOJ] redact every Republican or conservative person in those files, leave all the liberal, Democratic people in those files, and have a very slanted version of it come out… without really seeing any of their bad behavior,” admitted Joseph Schnitt, Acting Deputy Chief at the Office of Enforcement Operations for the U.S. Department of Justice, on hidden camera to an undercover OMG journalist. Schnitt confirmed that the government is in possession of an extensive trove of Epstein-related documents but warned that any release would be politically manipulated.

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Schnitt admitted that “There’s thousands and thousands of page-open files,” and further described how the department would handle disclosure of the material: “If they’re released in any way, it’s going to be very redacted.”

DOJ responds to allegations

Within hours of the video’s Thursday release by O’Keefe Media Group, the Department of Justice distanced itself from Schnitt’s comments. In a statement to OMG, DOJ said Schnitt “had no role in the Department’s internal review of Epstein materials,” and insisted his comments were “based only on what he learned in the media” and had “absolutely zero bearing with reality.”

“Joseph Schnitt had no role in the Department’s internal review of Epstein materials,” the DOJ stated. “In his own words, the comments Mr. Schnitt made were based on ‘what he learned in the media’ and he ‘has no knowledge of the circumstances surrounding Ms. Maxwell other than what was reported in the news.’ These comments have absolutely zero bearing with reality and reflect a total lack of knowledge of the DOJ’s review process.”

Dating app encounter revealed

Schnitt later confirmed in a statement that he met the undercover operative through the dating app Hinge during two meetings in August. “She claimed to be an au pair in Georgetown,” Schnitt wrote in an email to his superior. “She gave no clues that she was a reporter or recording our dates.”

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The video was produced by James O’Keefe, founder of O’Keefe Media Group, who previously founded Project Veritas, a far-right activist organization known for producing undercover videos targeting media organizations and progressive groups. O’Keefe was removed from Project Veritas in February 2023 amid allegations of financial malfeasance.

Congressional investigation continues

The revelation comes as the House Oversight Committee released 33,295 pages of Epstein-related records provided by the DOJ in September. Committee Chairman James Comer issued a subpoena for records related to Epstein on August 5, with the department indicating it would continue producing records while ensuring redaction of victim identities and child sexual abuse material.

Democratic members have previously stated that most files turned over by the DOJ are already public, with California Rep. Ro Khanna estimating 97% are in the public domain while only 3% represent new information.

Maxwell comments raise questions

In the undercover video, Schnitt also made claims regarding Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s convicted accomplice. “She got transferred to a minimum security prison,” Schnitt said, despite her conviction as a sex offender. “It’s against BOP policy because she’s a convicted sex offender.”

President Donald Trump has dismissed bipartisan calls for additional transparency as a “Democrat hoax,” arguing his administration has provided sufficient information. The Justice Department and FBI announced in July that they found no evidence Epstein kept a so-called “client list.”

The controversy underscores ongoing tensions over transparency in the Epstein case, with Republican Rep. Thomas Massie filing a discharge petition to force a vote compelling the Justice Department to publicly release all Epstein files.

Should undercover journalism tactics be used to expose potential government misconduct, or do they undermine credibility?

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