The U.S. Department of Justice has removed a batch of recently released documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case from its website, an action that has ignited a political firestorm over the presence of a photograph featuring former President Donald Trump.
Removal of Files Sparks Immediate Controversy
On Saturday, at least 16 files connected to the Epstein investigation vanished from the Justice Department's online portal. These documents had been uploaded just the day before, in a partial response to a congressional order for disclosure. Among the removed material was a photograph showing a drawer filled with pictures, which included an image of Donald Trump alongside his wife Melania, the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and Epstein's associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
The sudden disappearance prompted swift accusations from Democratic lawmakers, who suggested the move was an attempt to shield the former president. Representative Shontel Brown, a Democrat from Ohio, asserted on social media that "Trump and his lackeys have proven one thing - they're absolutely committed to the coverup."
Official Explanation and Political Pushback
Trump's attorney, Todd Blanche, addressed the controversy during a Sunday appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press." He firmly denied any effort to protect Trump, stating the files have "nothing to do" with the former president. Blanche pointed out that numerous photos of Trump with Epstein are already public.
"The absurdity of us pulling down a single photo because President Trump was in it is laughable," Blanche said. He framed the criticism as politically motivated, adding, "the fact that everybody's trying to act like that's the case is a reflection of their true motivation."
Blanche provided an alternative explanation for the photo's removal. He stated that a New York judge had instructed the Justice Department to heed concerns from victims or victims' rights groups regarding the contents of the files. If such a group requested a removal, the department would comply. Blanche noted he lacked "perfect information" and could not confirm if anyone in the specific photo was an Epstein victim.
Ongoing Release and Lingering Questions
The Justice Department is undertaking a rolling release of Epstein-related documents, citing the time-intensive process of redacting victims' names and other sensitive information. Congress had set a deadline of last Friday for the full release. The initial batch of files offered little new insight into Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
Despite the official reasoning, Democrats remain vocal in their skepticism. They have consistently accused Trump and his administration of attempting to obscure any mention of the former president within the Epstein records. Blanche countered, insisting, "There is nothing that [Trump] has to hide in the Epstein files... There never was." He characterized repeated attempts to link Trump to the Epstein saga as a failing Democratic strategy.
The Department of Justice has not provided an official public comment on the removal. Blanche confirmed that the removed files are expected to be restored to the website eventually, once any legitimate concerns are addressed.
