DOJ Utilizes iPhone Screenshot in Official Response to Epstein File Allegations

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) recently employed an unconventional method to address allegations regarding its handling of Jeffrey Epstein's files, posting an unedited iPhone screenshot of an internal email on its official X (formerly Twitter) account. This unorthodox response, complete with battery percentage and airplane mode icon, aimed to counter claims made by James O’Keefe’s O’Keefe Media Group. The incident has drawn attention to the unusual nature of official government communications.

The controversy began when O’Keefe released a video featuring Joseph Schnitt, the Acting Deputy Chief of Special Operations at the DOJ, who was secretly recorded discussing the Epstein files. In the recording, Schnitt allegedly claimed the DOJ planned to redact Republican or conservative names from the files while leaving liberal and Democratic figures, creating a "slanted version." He also alluded to a deal with Ghislaine Maxwell to "keep her mouth shut."

In response to these viral allegations, the DOJ initially issued a formal statement asserting that Schnitt "had no role in the Department’s internal review of Epstein materials" and that his comments "have absolutely zero bearing with reality." However, the subsequent decision to post the iPhone screenshot on social media marked a significant departure from typical federal agency communication protocols, prompting widespread discussion.

The screenshot displayed an email from Schnitt to his superior, where he explained that the recorded meeting took place during a Hinge date in August with a woman named "Skylar" who he did not realize was a reporter. Schnitt clarified that his remarks were "based on what I’ve learned in the media and not from anything I’ve done at or learned via work." He further stated, "I have no knowledge of the circumstances surrounding Ms. Maxwell other than what is reported in the news."

The highly unusual nature of the DOJ's response did not go unnoticed. As observed by Sam Biddle in a tweet, the method raised questions: > "Is this the first time the DOJ has responded to an allegation with an iPhone screenshot?" This public reaction underscored the perceived informality and novelty of a federal agency using such a personal and unpolished format for an official public statement, particularly concerning a sensitive and high-profile matter like the Epstein files.