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Items from the Epstein files, including a photo featuring Donald Trump, were removed from the Justice Department's website due to concerns raised by victims, the deputy attorney general said Sunday.
The image featuring Trump was later restored after a review, Todd Blanche said. He dismissed criticism that the removal had anything to do with the US president and said the photo that included him also showed images of anonymized women.
At least 13 files out of thousands released on Friday related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein had disappeared from the website without explanation by Saturday.
Democrats on the House Oversight Committee raised questions about the removal of the images. In a social media post, they asked Attorney General Pam Bondi: “What else is being covered up?”
The US Department of Justice said in a post on X on Sunday that Trump's image had been flagged by the Southern District of New York "for possible further action to protect victims."
He added that the image had been temporarily removed for further review "out of an abundance of caution."
After review, it was determined that there is no evidence that any of Epstein's victims appear in the photograph and it has been reposted without any changes or editing.
According to US officials, the photo was taken in one of Epstein's homes and shows a collection of framed photos on a dresser, many of them of celebrities.
There is an open drawer filled with other photographs, one of which shows the president with Epstein, First Lady Melania Trump and Epstein's convicted associate, Ghislaine Maxwell.
Blanche called the suggestion that the photo was removed because of Trump “ridiculous.” “It has nothing to do with President Trump,” he told NBC News. “There are dozens of photos of President Trump already out there that show him with Mr. Epstein. So the absurdity of us removing one photo, one single photo, because President Trump was in it, is ridiculous.”
Blanche cited a judge in New York who “has ordered us to hear from any victim or victim’s rights group if they have concerns” as a reason for removing some previously released files.
"There were a number of photos that were removed after they were published on Friday," he said.
Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein and has not been accused of any crime by Epstein's victims. There is no indication that these photos imply any criminal offense.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) was already under criticism for failing to release all files by Friday's deadline, as required by law.
The Justice Department documents, which include photographs, videos and investigative materials related to Epstein, were highly anticipated after Congress passed a law mandating their full release by Friday.
Congressman Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, who led the effort to release the files, said he was disappointed with the Trump administration's response and that his focus is on ensuring justice for the victims.
He said he is preparing charges of "internal contempt" against Attorney General Pam Bondi.
“They are ignoring the spirit and the letter of the law,” he told CBS News. “The stance they have taken is very disturbing. I will not be satisfied until the survivors are satisfied.”
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