Trump Makes Shock Move as White House Takes Control of DOJ Messaging in Epstein Files Fallout
The Trump administration is facing mounting backlash after explosive reporting revealed the White House has effectively taken control of the Justice Department’s public-facing messaging amid the chaotic release of the Jeffrey Epstein files. What was supposed to be a transparency mandate has instead ignited accusations of political interference and institutional corruption.
According to Axios, Trump’s political operatives began managing the official DOJ social media account as the Epstein disclosures intensified. The shift was immediately noticeable: sharper language, faster responses, and posts that appeared designed to defend Trump rather than neutrally inform the public. Critics argue this marks a dangerous break from the long-standing norm of DOJ independence.
The controversy deepened when the DOJ used its official account to aggressively attack a reporter who questioned why an allegedly fake Epstein letter was released at all. The response, which included calling the journalist a “dope,” stunned observers and fueled claims that the department is now acting as a political defense operation rather than the nation’s chief law enforcement body.
Even Republican lawmakers joined the criticism. Congressman Thomas Massie publicly rebuked the DOJ, noting that the department itself missed legal deadlines and made improper redactions. He also questioned why the DOJ’s account was engaging in combative, partisan behavior on Christmas Eve, a moment that underscored how unusual the situation had become.
Former Republican congressman Joe Walsh went further, calling the episode “utterly corrupt” and accusing Trump of destroying the Justice Department’s independence. Walsh warned that politicizing federal law enforcement sets a precedent that could take decades to repair, regardless of which party controls power in the future.
At the center of the dispute are contradictions surrounding Trump’s past relationship with Epstein. While Trump has repeatedly claimed he cut ties years earlier and never flew on Epstein’s plane, DOJ-released emails appear to contradict those statements, raising fresh questions about credibility and selective disclosure within the files.
Legal experts warn that the damage goes far beyond one scandal. Once public trust in the DOJ erodes, every future investigation—Democratic or Republican—risks being viewed through a partisan lens. Rebuilding that trust, they argue, is far harder than tearing it down, especially when political control replaces institutional safeguards.
As more Epstein documents are expected to be released, scrutiny is only intensifying. What began as a disclosure requirement has evolved into a broader crisis over the rule of law, DOJ independence, and whether federal institutions can withstand overt political capture. For Trump, the move may have been meant to contain the fallout—but it has instead opened a far more explosive chapter.
