At least 16 files from the DOJ’s “Epstein Library,” including a photo of President Trump, vanished from the agency’s website on Saturday, sparking a flurry of criticism over redactions and transparency.
DOJ Files Disappear
The Department of Justice removed the files from its public webpage the day after they were posted on Friday. The agency has not yet explained the reason for the removal, and The Hill has asked for comment.
Redactions and Legal Concerns
Attorney Gloria Allred said her firm’s legal team reached out to DOJ on Saturday about names that appeared in the files and that should have been redacted. “I can’t reveal where the names appeared, but we were told that the names will be redacted,” Allred wrote in an email to The Hill.
The removed files included images of paintings depicting nude women and photographs of a desk with drawers. One photo showed two pictures inside an open drawer: the first printed picture shows Trump surrounded by a group of women in bathing suits; the second partially covered photo shows Trump with first lady Melania Trump, Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell in 2000.
Public Reaction
Democrats on the House Oversight Committee posted on X that file 468, which includes Trump, has apparently been removed. “This photo, file 468, from the Epstein files that includes Donald Trump has apparently now been removed from the DOJ release,” the committee said, asking Attorney General Pam Bondi for confirmation and calling for transparency.
Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) criticized the administration for not releasing all the files in compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which requires DOJ to release the files within 30 days and redact victim and potentially investigated individuals’ names. Massie urged followers on X to compare the Act’s language with a letter DOJ sent to Congress asserting privilege to omit materials not specified by law. He added, “Compare Language of Epstein Files Transparency Act directing DOJ to provide internal communications regarding their decisions Versus DOJ letter to Congress asserting privilege to omit materials related to decisions, because they weren’t specified by law,” and later wrote, “THEY ARE FLAUNTING LAW.”
The initial Friday release featured Epstein with former President Clinton, actors Kevin Spacey and Chris Tucker, musicians Mick Jagger, Michael Jackson and Diana Ross, and news anchor Walter Cronkite.
Next Steps
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said on Friday that DOJ would continue to release the files over the coming weeks, noting that the delay was due to redacting any names or identifying information of witnesses.
Key Takeaways
- At least 16 files, including a Trump photo, were removed from the DOJ website the day after release.
- The removal has drawn criticism over heavy redactions and calls for transparency from lawmakers.
- DOJ plans to continue releasing the files, with delays attributed to redaction of identifying information.
As the DOJ works through the redaction process, lawmakers and the public await further disclosures to determine whether the agency’s handling of the Epstein files meets the transparency standards set by Congress.
