Documents in the released Epstein files suggest classified material was collected by the Justice Department, according to CBS News. That clashes with Attorney General Todd Blanche's past claim that no files were held back for national security.

CBS News reports at least three documents point to classified material. One FBI log shows "16 Epstein items" sent to the deputy attorney general's office on March 25, 2025. Two items were listed as "Classified Material" and "CDs with classified materials." Blanche led that office at the time.

An email sent that day from an FBI classification unit chief mentions three documents "that remain classified," CBS News reports. What was classified, and why, is not known.

CBS News also studied the page numbers stamped on the files. The department says it released over 3 million pages. In many places, the main page number goes up by one while older case numbers skip ahead. CBS News says that suggests pages were removed after the department got them.

The gaps include tens of thousands of pages of Epstein's financial records, CBS News reports. In one set of about 4,500 check images, 66 are missing. Former US Attorney Barbara McQuade said "financial records were not a permissible category for removal."

Gaps in one email section add up to 1.2 million pages, CBS News reports. Some may be duplicate emails removed under review rules, CBS News notes.

The department did not respond to recent CBS News questions. It has said every document required by law was released, and the rest were unrelated, privileged or duplicates. Journalist Katie Phang is suing for more files.

What we know: Some released records refer to classified Epstein material, and page numbers show gaps.
What we don't: Only CBS News has reported this so far. NewsHabit hasn't seen independent confirmation.