This undated photo released by the U.S. Department of Justice shows Jeffrey Epstein. (U.S. Department of Justice via AP)The US Justice Department has restored a photograph of US President Donald Trump to its public database of files linked to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, after officials said a review found no Epstein victims in the image.
The photograph, which shows a desk drawer containing a picture of Trump with several women, had been removed earlier for review by prosecutors in the Southern District of New York. Officials said the move was meant to protect potential victims.
“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 Justice Department said in a post on X on Sunday.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the image was taken down due to concerns about the women shown in the photo, not because of the president.
“It has nothing to do with President Trump,” Blanche said during an appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press with Kristen Welker on Sunday.
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The Justice Department released thousands of documents on Friday related to Epstein, a convicted sex offender who died by suicide in 2019 while in federal custody. The release has faced criticism, including from some Republicans, over heavy redactions and the limited number of documents referring to Trump, despite his publicly known past association with Epstein.
Speaking to ABC News on Sunday, Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said there should be a full review of the document release.
“There should be a full and complete investigation as to why the document production has fallen short of what the law clearly required,” Jeffries said.
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According to reports by The New York Times, up to 16 photos including the image showing Trump were removed from the Justice Department’s website on Saturday. Reuters could not independently confirm the removals.
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The Justice Department said it acted out of caution after receiving requests from people who say they were victims of Epstein, as well as their lawyers, asking that certain material be taken down.
Trump has not been accused of wrongdoing in connection with Epstein and has said he was not aware of Epstein’s crimes.
