Images from Epstein files show Trump reinstated after backlash

Content from Epstein’s dossier, including a photo containing Donald Trump, has been removed from the Justice Department’s website after victims raised concerns, the deputy attorney general said Sunday.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Branch said Trump’s image was later reinstated after a review.

Branch dismissed criticism that the deleted photos were linked to the US president and said the photos, including his, also showed unedited images of women.

At least 13 of the thousands of documents released Friday related to late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein disappeared from the website by Saturday without explanation.

Democrats on the House Oversight Committee questioned the removal of the images. In social media posts, they asked Attorney General Pam Bondi: “What else is being covered up?”

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) posted on X on Sunday that the Southern District of New York flagged Trump’s photo and “may take further action to protect victims.”

It added that the image had been temporarily removed “out of an abundance of caution” pending further review.

“After a review, it was determined that there was no evidence that any Epstein victims were depicted in the photo, and the photo has been republished without any changes or edits,” the Justice Department said.

The image was restored early Sunday and is available via a link to the website. As of that evening, other documents had not yet been returned to the site.

Branch called the suggestion that the photo be deleted because of Trump “ridiculous.” “This has nothing to do with President Trump,” he told NBC News.

“President Trump has released dozens of photos of himself with Mr. Epstein to the public.”

He added: “So for us to take down a photo, a photo, because President Trump is in it, is ridiculous, it’s laughable.”

Branch cited a New York judge who “ordered us to listen to any victims or victims’ rights groups if they have concerns” as reason for deleting some previously released documents.

“There were some photos that were taken down after being posted on Friday,” he said.

Trump has always denied any wrongdoing with Epstein and has not been accused of any crimes by Epstein’s victims. There is no suggestion that the images suggest any wrongdoing.

The Justice Department has come under attack Because not all files are released by the Friday deadline, as required by law.

Congress passed a highly anticipated law requiring the full release by Friday of Justice Department documents that include photos, videos and investigative materials related to Epstein.

Rep. Thomas Massie, the Kentucky Republican who led the effort to release the documents, said he was frustrated by the Trump administration’s response and was focused on getting justice for the victims.

He said he was drafting contempt of court charges against Attorney General Pam Bondi.

“They flout the spirit and letter of the law,” he told CBS News on Sunday. “The attitude they took was very disturbing. I won’t be satisfied until the survivors are satisfied.”

Images included in the deleted documents show a bookcase table in Epstein’s home with an open drawer filled with other photos, including one showing the president with Epstein, first lady Melania Trump and Epstein’s convicted associate Ghislaine Maxwell. Framed photos can also be seen on the table.

The ten missing documents included images apparently showing the same room – a small massage parlor with clouds painted on the ceiling and brown patterned wallpaper studded with multiple nudes. Some look like photos, others are works of art.

Most of the women’s faces in the photos on the wall have been edited. However, one face was edited in one file but clearly visible in the other three. The other face is unedited in all documents, while the painted image of the same person is clearly visible.

House Oversight Committee Democrats on Saturday questioned the removal of the documents, posting a photo of Trump’s disappearance on social media and asking Attorney General Pam Bondi if the photo had actually been deleted.

“What else is being covered up? We need transparency from the American public,” the committee wrote.

The removal of the documents comes amid growing suspicion about the U.S. government and the so-called Epstein files.

The documents released Friday came to light as a result of a congressional bill forcing the Justice Department to release them.

The Justice Department said it would comply with congressional requests to release the documents, but with some stipulations.

It redacted personally identifiable information about Epstein’s victims, material describing child sexual abuse, material describing physical abuse, any records that “would jeopardize an ongoing federal investigation” or any classified document that must be kept secret to protect “national defense or foreign policy.”

But many of the documents released were heavily redacted.

New information about Epstein’s crimes is limited, and the released documents do not contain, among other things, internal Justice Department memos on charging decisions.

Additional reporting by Alison Benjamin and Benedict Garman.

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