The US Department of Justice appears to have removed a photograph featuring President Donald Trump from its publicly released Epstein files
Washigton DC: The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has reportedly removed a photograph featuring President Donald Trump from a batch of Epstein-related documents released on Friday. The image, catalogued as file EFTA00000468, showed an open desk drawer containing photographs of Trump, including one with young women and another with his wife, First Lady Melania Trump.
By Saturday morning, the photograph was no longer accessible on the DOJ’s official online archive. The document index showed a numerical jump from EFTA00000467 to EFTA00000469, indicating that the file in between had been removed.
Also Read
Copies continue circulating online
Despite its apparent removal from the DOJ website, copies of the image remain available in open-source archives that preserved the files shortly after their initial release. These archived versions continue to display the photograph that had been listed under the missing reference number.
Oversight Democrats raised the issue publicly on X, questioning whether the image had been deliberately removed and calling for transparency from Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Legal mandate and delayed disclosure
Under a law passed by Congress and signed by President Trump last month, the DOJ was required to make all Epstein-related documents in its possession publicly available by Friday. The department failed to meet the full deadline.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated ahead of the release that only a portion of the documents would be made public initially, citing ongoing redactions to protect victims. He added that more material would be released later. The law allowed the department a 30-day review period to prepare the files.
The apparent removal of the Trump-related photograph has intensified scrutiny of the DOJ’s handling of Epstein-related disclosures. The documents span more than two decades of federal investigations into allegations of sexual abuse involving young women and underage girls.
The FBI had begun an extensive review and redaction process in March, according to officials. However, critics argue that the missing file raises concerns over selective disclosure and accountability in one of the most sensitive document releases in recent US history.
Published: 21 Dec 2025, 10:44 am IST
Related Topics
Subscribe to our Newsletter
Disclaimer: Kindly avoid objectionable, derogatory, unlawful and lewd comments, while responding to reports. Such comments are punishable under cyber laws. Please keep away from personal attacks. The opinions expressed here are the personal opinions of readers and not that of Mathrubhumi.