Judge Ordered FBI Interview Notes on Donald Trump
A federal judge directed the DOJ to submit handwritten notes from 2019 interviews regarding a past sexual abuse allegation.
Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Sex Crimes
Judge Emmet Sullivan has ordered the Department of Justice to turn over handwritten FBI interview notes related to an accusation against the current President of the United States. The records concern allegations that an accuser was forced to perform a sexual act in 1984.
Why it matters
The order stems from a broader lawsuit by Katie Phang seeking the release of government files linked to the late Jeffrey Epstein. The DOJ is currently appealing the request to keep the specific handwritten records confidential.
Judge Sullivan ordered the production of four 2019 FBI interview files to the court, following the release of over 100 similar witness interview documents. The DOJ has filed an appeal to prevent the disclosure of these specific handwritten notes.
The players
Donald Trump
He is the current President of the United States.
Emmet Sullivan
He is the federal judge overseeing the court order for the FBI interview records.
Katie Phang
She is the plaintiff who filed a lawsuit demanding the release of government files related to Jeffrey Epstein.
Jeffrey Epstein
He was a financier arrested on sex-trafficking charges in 2019.
The details
The accuser, who was 13 at the time of the alleged 1984 encounter, claimed she was forced to perform a sexual act and was punched in the head. While the White House has dismissed the claims as baseless, the FBI conducted four interviews with the individual following the 2019 arrest of Jeffrey Epstein, though no formal probe was ever opened.
Timeline
The alleged abuse occurred in 1984.
Jeffrey Epstein was arrested in July 2019.
The FBI conducted four interviews with the accuser in 2019.
Judge Sullivan issued the order for the notes in September 2026.
Legal Context
This order follows the procedural trail established by the 2019 Jeffrey Epstein sex-trafficking case. The judge's request for additional files highlights the ongoing legal scrutiny regarding government records tied to that investigation.
The court's decision to review these documents marks a significant step in the ongoing legal push for transparency regarding high-profile government files. Residents should expect continued legal filings as the DOJ moves forward with its appeal to keep the interview notes private.
The takeaway
The court order reinforces the ongoing tension between public transparency demands and federal investigative confidentiality. This case serves as a reminder of how high-profile historical allegations continue to generate legal activity through the discovery process.
Further reading
For more information on legal proceedings, visit the Sex Crimes section.
