DOJ Restores Trump's Missing Photo In Epstein Files After Backlash, Clarifies Reason Behind Partial Release
Deputy Attorney General Blanche defended the limited release of Jeffrey Epstein's files, citing victim protection. He insists the administration will comply with the law, but prioritises shielding sensitive details.
The United States Department of Justice (DoJ) has reposted a photograph from the latest release of Jeffrey Epstein-related files that includes President Donald Trump, saying its review found that no Epstein victims appear in the image. The development comes following backlash over the partial release of Epstein files.
The photograph was briefly taken down after the Southern District of New York flagged it as a precautionary measure to ensure victim protection.
"The Southern District of New York flagged an image of President Trump for potential further action to protect victims. Out of an abundance of caution, the Department of Justice temporarily removed the image for further review. After the review, it was determined there is no evidence that any Epstein victims are depicted in the photograph, and it has been reposted without any alteration or redaction," DOJ said in an X post.
Earlier, it was reported that at least 16 files, including Trump's photo, appeared to have been removed in Jeffrey Epstein documents from the website.
In a press release, the DOJ underlined its commitment to transparency and stressed that it was redacting only what is legally required. "No redactions have been or will be made to protect famous individuals or politically exposed persons," DOJ said in the release.
Trump Admin Clarifies Partial Release Of Epstein Files
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche pushed back hard on Sunday against criticism of the US Justice Department's limited rollout of Jeffrey Epstein's files. He argued the cautious approach shields survivors of the late financier's sexual abuse, even as the department met a congressionally set deadline with partial release of the documents.
Blanche stressed the Trump administration would fully comply with the law in time. Yet he emphasised the need for careful handling of thousands of pages that might expose sensitive details. This comes after Friday's partial disclosure, featuring photos, interview transcripts, call logs, court records, and more, sparked fresh Democratic outrage. Critics accuse the Republican-led DOJ of burying key facts.
Blanche dismissed the attacks as insincere, especially as President Donald Trump's team faces mounting pressure for openness. Demands for transparency about Epstein probes now echo from Democrats and even some in Trump's own base. Epstein, after all, once mingled with Trump, top politicians, and business moguls before their friendship soured.
"The reason why we are still reviewing documents and still continuing our process is simply that to protect victims," Blanche told NBC’s Meet the Press. "So the same individuals that are out there complaining about the lack of documents that were produced on Friday are the same individuals who apparently don’t want us to protect victims."
His remarks mark the administration's fullest response yet to the file drop. Still, major pieces remain absent, like FBI survivor interviews and internal DOJ memos on charging choices. Those could shed light on why investigators let Epstein off with a minor 2008 state prostitution plea.
Trump, a longtime Epstein acquaintance until their split, spent months fighting to seal the records. No allegations tie him to wrongdoing, but he insists the files hold nothing newsworthy, urging focus elsewhere. Federal prosecutors in New York hit Epstein with sex trafficking charges in 2019, only for him to die by suicide in jail.
Democrats aren't buying the victim-protection line. Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., blasted the DOJ on CNN’s State of the Union for what he sees as obstruction. "It’s all about covering up things that, for whatever reason, Donald Trump doesn’t want to go public, either about himself, other members of his family, friends, Jeffrey Epstein, or just the social, business, cultural network that he was involved in for at least a decade, if not longer," he said.
Blanche also stood by the DOJ's quick move to yank several case-related files from its website, including a Trump photo, less than a day after posting them.
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