Overview

• Testifying over two days on Capitol Hill, the FBI director said protective and sealed court orders bar broader disclosure of thousands of pages and that the bureau is releasing what the law permits.
• Under questioning, Patel agreed to open an investigation into a birthday note the Epstein estate released that the White House says bears a forged Trump signature.
• Pressed on references to the president, Patel testified he does not know how many times Donald Trump’s name appears in the FBI’s Epstein records.
• Epstein survivors condemned Patel for saying there is no credible information that Epstein trafficked women and girls to others, and a House Democrat accused him of lying under oath during the hearing.
• Rep. Thomas Massie claimed FBI-held witness interviews identify at least 20 alleged associates and said he is pursuing procedural moves to force broader releases, even as some Republicans defended Patel and others urged full transparency.