The US Department of Justice on Sunday restored a photograph featuring President Donald Trump from the recently released batch of Jeffrey Epstein-related files, asserting that a review found no evidence
that any Epstein victims were depicted in the image.
The restoration came amid mounting political criticism and public scrutiny over the partial and heavily redacted disclosure of documents linked to the late financier and convicted sex offender.
According to the Justice Department, the photograph had been temporarily removed after the Southern District of New York flagged it for potential further action to protect victims.
“Out of an abundance of caution,” the Department said, the image was taken down for review before being reposted “without any alteration or redaction” once officials determined that no Epstein victims appeared in the photograph.
“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,” the Department said in a post on X.
“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,” it mentioned.
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…
— U.S. Department of Justice (@TheJusticeDept) December 21, 2025
A photograph shared by Reuters showed a view of drawers and framed photos shown in Jeffrey Epstein‘s Manhattan home.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the decision surrounding the image, rejecting allegations that the move was politically motivated or aimed at shielding the President.
“We are not redacting information around President Trump,” Blanche said during an appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press.
When asked whether any material had been withheld due to political sensitivities, which would be illegal, Blanche replied, “Absolutely, positively not.”
Blanche, who previously served as Trump’s personal lawyer, said the initial removal of group photographs, including at least one image showing Trump, had been driven by “concerns about those women.”
He stressed that the Justice Department acted to protect potential victims rather than public figures.
The restoration of the image did little to quell criticism from Democratic lawmakers, who accused Trump of defying the law that ordered the release of all Epstein-related files.
“It’s all about covering up things that, for whatever reason, Donald Trump doesn’t want to go public, either about himself or other members of his family, friends,” Democratic Congressman Jamie Raskin said on CNN’s State of the Union.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries also questioned the handling of the release, saying justice officials must submit a written explanation to Congress within 15 days detailing why any documents or images were withheld.
“It does appear, of course, that this initial document release is inadequate,” Jeffries said on ABC’s This Week.
Criticism over the image’s removal and restoration extended beyond party lines. Republican Congressman Thomas Massie, a long-time advocate for full disclosure of Epstein-related material, said officials were undermining transparency.
“They’re flouting the spirit and the letter of the law. It’s very troubling the posture that they’ve taken,” Massie said on CBS’s Face the Nation.
Massie also alleged that a 60-count indictment implicating well-known individuals had not been released, describing the situation as one of “selective concealment.”
The Justice Department said it is legally required to redact identifying information related to victims, minors, potential victims, and privileged material, and reiterated that “no redactions have been or will be made to protect famous individuals or politically exposed persons.”
It also acknowledged receiving requests from individuals claiming to be victims and from their lawyers seeking the removal of certain information.
Such material, the Department said, is temporarily removed for review and later re-released with appropriate redactions if legally required.
CNN reported that at least 16 files appeared to have been removed from the Justice Department’s website as of Sunday morning, including the Trump photograph prior to its restoration.
Other files reportedly removed included materials depicting explicit artwork, mail slots filled with envelopes, tiled hallways, and a notebook page containing names and apartment numbers.
While Trump had previously been socially associated with Epstein, the Justice Department has stated that the President faces no accusations of wrongdoing.
Epstein died in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial, and his former associate Ghislaine Maxwell remains the only person convicted in connection with his crimes.
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