Overview

• The FBI director committed to investigating a birthday note released by the Epstein estate after Rep. Jared Moskowitz asked about a document the White House says carries a forged presidential signature.
• Patel told lawmakers the bureau is releasing only what is legally permitted, citing protective and sealed orders, as the Justice Department has said there is no separate Epstein "client list" and no further files will be released.
• Pressed on references to President Donald Trump in the files, Patel declined to provide a count and answered "I don't know" when asked how many times the president’s name appears.
• A group of Epstein survivors condemned Patel for saying there was "no credible information" Epstein trafficked women to others and urged release of FBI interview summaries known as FD-302s.
• Patel’s combative exchanges with Democrats and criticism over his earlier misinformation in the Charlie Kirk case fueled calls of a cover-up and even perjury allegations, while Republican lawmakers largely continued to back him.