Washington DC: The United States Department of Justice has reposted a photograph of President Donald Trump from the latest release of Jeffrey Epstein-related files after determining that the image does not feature any Epstein victims.
In a statement shared on X, the Department said the photograph was briefly taken down after being flagged by the Southern District of New York as a precautionary measure to safeguard potential victims. Following an internal review, authorities concluded that the image contained no evidence of any victims and was restored without any edits or redactions.
“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 evidence that any Epstein victims are depicted in the photograph,” the DOJ said.
The development comes amid scrutiny over the recent batch of Epstein documents released online. Earlier, CNN reported that at least 16 files appeared to have been removed from the DOJ website temporarily, including the photograph featuring Trump. Other files reportedly taken down included explicit artwork, images of mail slots filled with envelopes, a tiled hallway, and a notebook page containing names and apartment numbers.
In a separate press release, the DOJ reiterated its commitment to transparency, stating that redactions are made strictly in line with legal requirements. The Department clarified that it is obligated to withhold identifying information related to victims, minors, or potential victims, as well as any privileged material.
The DOJ also stressed that no redactions have been, or will be, carried out to shield well-known individuals or politically exposed persons, underscoring that the process is driven solely by legal considerations.
