WASHINGTON (Realist English). A photograph showing Donald Trump’s face — included in the Justice Department’s initial release of files tied to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein — appears to have been removed from the department’s website, along with more than a dozen other files.
The image, posted on Friday, depicted a desk covered with framed and unframed photographs and assorted items. At least two photos in the image clearly showed Trump’s face. By Saturday, the file — identified as “file 468” — was no longer visible on the Department of Justice site, prompting swift reactions on Capitol Hill.
Democrats on the House Oversight Committee said the removal raised serious concerns. “This photo … that includes Donald Trump has apparently now been removed from the DOJ release,” the committee wrote on X, addressing Attorney General Pam Bondi. “What else is being covered up? We need transparency for the American public.”
According to the Associated Press, at least 16 files that appeared in Friday’s release were missing by Saturday. The Justice Department continued releasing additional Epstein-related documents early Saturday, but only a portion of the material required under the Epstein Files Transparency Act — which mandates full disclosure — has been made public so far.
Lawmakers from both parties warned of potential consequences if the DOJ is found to be withholding records. Representative Ro Khanna, a Democrat who co-sponsored the transparency legislation, said Congress could consider impeachment hearings involving Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche if the releases fail to comply with the law.
Republican Representative Thomas Massie, the bill’s co-sponsor, accused the DOJ of disregarding statutory requirements, citing what he described as a contradiction between the law’s language and the department’s claim of privilege to omit certain materials.
The DOJ has denied redacting politicians’ names. In a post on X late Friday, the department said the only redactions applied were those required by law. Blanche reiterated that point publicly, saying there had been “no effort” to remove references to Trump unless legally necessary to protect victims.
The White House referred questions about the missing photo to the Justice Department. Requests for comment from the DOJ and congressional leaders were ongoing.
Trump, who had a social relationship with Epstein in the past, has not been accused of wrongdoing and has denied knowledge of Epstein’s abuse of underage girls. His name and image appeared only sparingly in Friday’s release, though House Democrats have previously published photos obtained directly from Epstein’s estate.
Former President Bill Clinton also appeared in several images released Friday. Clinton has likewise not been accused of wrongdoing. His spokesman rejected suggestions of any cover-up, saying Clinton severed ties with Epstein before the financier’s crimes became public and calling for full transparency from authorities.
As pressure mounts, lawmakers across the aisle say the credibility of the Epstein files release now hinges on whether the Justice Department can account for the missing materials and provide a clear timeline for full disclosure.