Epstein files: DOJ restores image showing Trump after backlash
Justice Department restores Trump photo to public database of Epstein files • FRANCE 24 English
Key Points
- The U.S. Department of Justice has put back an image from the Jeffrey Epstein case files that was briefly taken down from its website.
- The photo shows former President Donald Trump and was restored after public criticism followed its removal.
- Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche explained that some Epstein-related materials were removed earlier to follow a federal court order meant to protect victims’ privacy.
- Blanche also stated clearly that the photo was not removed because it included Trump, dismissing claims of political influence.
The U.S. Department of Justice has put back online a photo from the Jeffrey Epstein case files that includes images of President Donald Trump, following criticism over its earlier removal.
The image, which contains two separate photos of Trump, was taken down shortly after it appeared on the Justice Department’s website on Friday. The photo shows various items arranged on and inside Epstein’s desk or credenza.
One image shows Trump posing with a group of women. The second is a widely circulated photo showing Trump alongside his wife, Melania, Epstein, and Epstein’s former associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, who has since been convicted.
In a statement shared on X, the Justice Department said the Southern District of New York flagged the image for additional review as a precaution to protect victims.
The department explained that the photo was temporarily removed to allow for further assessment. After reviewing it, officials concluded that there was no indication any Epstein victims appeared in the image, and it was reposted without changes.
The Justice Department did not clarify what it meant by referencing the Southern District of New York (SDNY). The term can describe either the federal court district that includes Manhattan or the U.S. Attorney’s Office responsible for prosecuting federal crimes in that area.
On Saturday, Democrats in Congress raised concerns about the removal of the image. Members of the House Oversight Committee questioned the decision in a post on X, stating that a photo labeled file 468 from the Epstein materials—one that included Donald Trump—appeared to have been taken down. They called on Attorney General Pam Bondi to explain the situation and demanded greater transparency.
Early Sunday, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the photo was removed after officials became aware of concerns involving women shown in the image. Speaking on NBC’s Meet the Press, Blanche said the action was precautionary and emphasized that the decision had nothing to do with Trump.
The image’s removal, along with more than a dozen other documents, occurred despite a law signed by Trump that required the Justice Department to release all Epstein-related files by Friday. The photo had appeared on the DOJ website earlier that day but was taken down a few hours later. It showed a group of framed and unframed photographs, including images of Trump and other prominent figures such as former President Bill Clinton and Pope John Paul II.
Blanche explained that when victims’ advocacy groups raise concerns about certain materials, the department removes them temporarily while conducting a review.
Earlier this month, U.S. District Judge Richard Berman of the SDNY ordered the unsealing of grand jury records connected to Epstein’s 2019 prosecution on child sex trafficking charges. That ruling required the Justice Department to consider and address the concerns of survivors regarding the released content.
Despite the passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which mandated the release of all related DOJ materials by Friday, only a limited portion of documents and images was made public. The partial release drew criticism from both Democrats and Republicans.
Several Epstein survivors also accused the department of failing to notify them in advance about the materials that were released. Some victims said this lack of communication may have placed them at risk, according to multiple reports.
Representative Thomas Massie of Kentucky, a Republican who co-sponsored the House bill requiring the release of the files along with Democratic Representative Ro Khanna, warned that Justice Department officials could face consequences over how the release was handled. In an interview on CBS’ Face the Nation, Massie said some lawmakers are discussing the possibility of holding Attorney General Pam Bondi in contempt, calling it a way to pursue justice for the victims.
CNBC reported that it has contacted the Justice Department for comment regarding Massie’s statements.
