Items from the Epstein files, including a photo containing Donald Trump, were removed by the justice department from its website because of concerns raised by victims, the deputy attorney general said on Sunday.
The image featuring Trump was later reinstated after review, said Todd Blanche, deputy attorney general.
Blanche rejected criticisms that the removal was related to the US president and said the photo that included him also showed unredacted images of women.
At least 13 files – from thousands released on Friday related to late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein – had disappeared from the website without explanation by Saturday.
Democrats on the House Oversight Committee questioned the images’ removal. In a social media post, they asked Attorney General Pam Bondi: “What else is being covered up?”
The US Department of Justice (DoJ) said in a post on X on Sunday that the image of Trump was flagged by the Southern District of New York “for potential further action to protect victims”.
It added that the image was removed temporarily for further review “out of an abundance of caution”.
“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,” the DOJ said, linking to the image in question on its website.
The picture was taken in one of Epstein’s homes, US officials said, and it shows a collection of framed photographs on a cabinet, many of them featuring famous people.
There is an open drawer filled with other photos – one of which shows the president with Epstein, First Lady Melania Trump and Epstein’s convicted associate Ghislane Maxwell.
Blanche called the suggestion that the photo was removed due to Trump “laughable”. “It has nothing to do with President Trump,” he told NBC News.
“There are dozens of photos of President Trump already released to the public seeing him with Mr Epstein.”
He added: “So the absurdity of us pulling down a photo, a single photo, because President Trump was in it, is laughable.”
Blanche cited a judge in New York who “has ordered us to listen to any victim or victims’ rights group if they have concerns” as a reason behind removing some previously posted files.
“There were a number of photographs that were pulled down after being released on Friday,” he said.
Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein and has not been accused of any crimes by Epstein’s victims. There is no suggestion that these pictures imply any wrongdoing. (BBC)
