The U.S. Justice Department on Sunday reinstated an image from the Jeffrey Epstein files that included a photograph of President Donald Trump, following criticism over its unexplained removal a day earlier. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the decision to temporarily remove the image had “nothing to do” with the president and was made in response to concerns raised by victim advocacy groups.
The restored image was part of a broader release of documents related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Its removal sparked immediate backlash from Democrats, who accused the Justice Department of shielding Trump, a former associate of Epstein, from political fallout.
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Justice Department Explains Removal
Blanche said a total of 16 images were removed after requests from victim advocacy organizations, stressing that the actions were precautionary rather than politically motivated. He explained that officials are reviewing the images to determine whether they contain content that could expose or harm Epstein’s victims.
“We don’t have perfect information,” Blanche said during an appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press. “When we hear concerns from victims’ rights groups about certain photographs, we take them down and investigate.”
According to the Justice Department, the image featuring Trump was restored after officials concluded that it posed no risk to victim privacy. Blanche added that other images may also be reposted once authorities determine whether redactions are necessary.
Political Reaction and Accusations
The brief removal of the image led to a wave of criticism from Democratic lawmakers, who questioned whether political considerations played a role. The timing of the takedown, they argued, raised concerns about favoritism toward Trump amid ongoing scrutiny of Epstein’s ties to powerful figures.
Blanche pushed back against those claims, emphasizing that the review process remains ongoing and is centered solely on protecting victims.
Victims’ Advocates Raise Serious Concerns
Prominent victims’ rights attorney Gloria Allred sharply criticized the handling of the Epstein files, saying survivors were once again being failed by the system. Speaking to CNN, Allred said some documents appeared to be insufficiently redacted, exposing names that should never have been made public.
“I saw a number of survivors’ names which should never have been published,” Allred said, stressing that protecting victims should have been the top priority.
She also raised alarm over images included in the release, claiming that some photographs may show women unclothed and should have been redacted before publication. “That is completely unacceptable,” she said.
Ongoing Review
The Justice Department said it is continuing to examine the released materials to ensure proper redactions are applied. Blanche indicated that additional images could be restored once officials confirm they do not violate victim privacy or safety.
The controversy has reignited broader concerns over how sensitive materials connected to Epstein are handled, particularly when they involve powerful political figures and vulnerable survivors.
