The image, which is file “468” on the DOJ’s “Epstein Library” webpage, inexplicably disappeared from the site on Saturday as the DOJ continued its release of the Epstein files. The image is of a desk drawer that contains various photographs, including separate ones of Trump, Epstein, former President Bill Clinton, and longtime Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
In a statement on Sunday, the DOJ announced that the image has since been restored “without any alteration or redaction” after it was flagged by the Southern District of New York over concerns about victim protection.
“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, and it has been reposted without any alteration or redaction,” the statement said.
File “468” was not the only image removed over the weekend. At least 15 other files were scrubbed from the “Epstein Library.” Earlier Sunday, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said this was done following concerns from victims.
The removals, temporary or not, have only slowed a release process that was supposed to have concluded on Friday.
MASSIE THREATENS TO BRING INHERENT CONTEMPT AGAINST BONDI TO FORCE FULL EPSTEIN FILES RELEASE
Instead, the DOJ is still redacting and releasing material from the Epstein files, a process Blanche said will continue for several weeks. According to a fact sheet from the DOJ, hundreds of thousands of files still need to be released.
The DOJ has pinned the delay of the full Epstein files release on court orders on certain documents that must be followed before material can be reviewed and redacted, if necessary.
