WASHINGTON, D.C. – A covertly recorded video released by James O’Keefe’s media operation shows Glenn Prager, described in multiple accounts as a former Justice Department staffer, making explosive allegations about Jeffrey Epstein, including that Epstein served as a CIA asset and that President Donald Trump has withheld files to protect people named in those files. The recording has spread widely online and prompted immediate pushback from federal authorities and media fact-checks.
In the video, Prager is recorded in an informal setting describing his work on Epstein-related matters and saying, among other things, that Epstein was a CIA “asset” and that Trump was reluctant to release certain Epstein files because doing so would expose people. The clip was distributed by O’Keefe’s outlet and quickly went viral.
The Justice Department publicly distanced itself from Prager’s remarks, noting that Prager worked at DOJ years ago in a more junior capacity and “left” the department well before the recent investigations and releases; DOJ said he did not have access to the current investigative files and characterized the video as misleading. Many news organizations reporting the story quote DOJ statements to that effect. However, that does not confirm or deny what he may have seen, handled, or had clearance for during his time of employment. It simply underscores that he cannot speak to the ongoing investigation or recent document productions.
Separately from the O’Keefe video, the House Oversight Committee has been publishing large batches of Epstein-related records. In early September the committee released roughly 33,000 pages of documents provided by the Department of Justice under subpoena – a development that has fed public interest in what the government’s files do or do not contain. Many outlets covering the Prager clip noted this document release as the background context for renewed scrutiny of Epstein-related claims.
Multiple investigative news outlets that have reviewed the Epstein files or covered them extensively report no substantiated evidence in publicly available materials that Epstein was an intelligence asset for the U.S. or a foreign service. Business Insider’s reporting and other news analyses note that people who have examined the released files say the materials do not substantiate popular spy-state conspiracy theories. That absence, and the absence of routine legal indicators associated with classified-information cases, is an important counterweight to blanket assertions that Epstein was a formal intelligence asset.
What We Know
| Item | Fact / Status |
|---|---|
| Video source | Hidden-camera video released by James O’Keefe / O’Keefe Media Group (Project Veritas-style). |
| Person on tape | Glenn Prager – described in news coverage as a former DOJ staffer/program analyst who worked at DOJ more than a decade ago. |
| Core allegation in clip | Prager says Jeffrey Epstein was a CIA asset and that President Trump is withholding files that would expose others. |
| Claim re: Trump | Prager stated that regarding Trump himself there is “nothing there.” However, he alleged Trump is withholding Epstein-related files, not to protect himself, but to shield “others” who might be implicated. |
| Claim re: Clinton | Prager also said Bill Clinton was present when assaults occurred. Clinton has long been linked to Epstein in media coverage, but this is the first time such a claim has been voiced by someone identified as a former DOJ staffer. |
| Follow-up attempts | James O’Keefe reportedly tried to call Prager two–three times for clarification; Prager answered but hung up each time and refused to comment further. |
| DOJ response | DOJ publicly distanced itself from the remarks, noting Prager left the department years ago and lacks access to current investigative files. |
| Relevant document release | House Oversight Committee released ~33,000 pages of Epstein-related DOJ records under subpoena in early September. |
| Independent reporting on ‘spy’ theory | Journalistic reviews of released materials to date report no conclusive evidence that Epstein was a U.S. or foreign intelligence asset. |
| Verification status | Claim remains unverified by public documentary evidence; subject to possible future corroboration if new, credible records appear. |
Q&A:
Q: Who recorded the video and who released it?
A: The clip was made public by James O’Keefe’s media operation (Project Veritas / O’Keefe Media Group). It appears to have been recorded covertly and later edited for release.
Q: Who is Glenn Prager and what was his role at DOJ?
A: News reports identify Prager as a former Justice Department program analyst or investigator who worked at DOJ more than a decade ago. DOJ statements reported by outlets say he left the department many years ago and did not have access to current Epstein case materials.
Q: Do the released DOJ or House Oversight files show Epstein was a CIA (or other-agency) asset?
A: Journalists and investigators who have examined the recently released files say they have not found evidence in those records to substantiate the claim that Epstein was an intelligence asset. The Oversight Committee’s public document release contains thousands of pages but, to date, does not provide public confirmation of an intelligence relationship.
Q: Has the Justice Department confirmed or denied Prager’s account?
A: DOJ has not confirmed the intelligence-asset claim and has publicly emphasized that Prager worked at DOJ long ago and does not represent current DOJ investigative access or findings.
Q: Does this video mean the full Epstein file will be released?
A: Not necessarily. Congressional subpoenas and committee releases have already produced large batches of materials; whether additional classified or sensitive records are released depends on legal, executive-branch, and congressional actions, and DOJ has previously said it will protect victim identities and sensitive material.
