Justice Department Restores Jeffrey Epstein File Photo After New Review

A key photo tied to the Jeffrey Epstein files was restored by the U.S. Justice Department on Sunday. The image showed a desk drawer with a photo of Donald Trump and several women. It was first removed to protect possible victims. The review took place on December 21 in New York. Officials said no victims were in the photo.

The removal drew fast attention. It came two days after the department released thousands of Epstein documents. The files were part of a long‑running public request for clarity about the case.

Justice Department Says Trump Was Not the Reason for Removal

The Justice Department said the review was normal. It said it acted after requests from alleged victims and their lawyers. According to Associated Press and Reuters, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the move had nothing to do with Trump. He said the women in the picture raised concern.

The Southern District of New York flagged the image. The office wanted to be sure that no victims were shown. The department reposted the photo with no edits once that check was done. The case files had already faced criticism for many redactions.

Several U.S. lawmakers asked why the documents showed little about Trump. They noted his past ties to Epstein. The Justice Department said the release followed legal rules and victim‑protection standards. It also said it will review other material again if needed.

Lawmakers Call for More Answers on Epstein File Release

Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said the file release fell short. He told ABC News that Congress should review what happened. He said the public must know why some records were missing or unclear.

Republican lawmakers also raised concerns. They questioned the timing and the level of redaction. They said the file dump should have been more complete. The Justice Department said it used care because the documents involved many survivors.

Reuters reported that up to 16 photos were pulled on Saturday. They were later restored after checks. The department said the priority was to protect people who may still face harm.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: Why did the Justice Department restore the Epstein photo?

It restored the photo after a review showed no victims were in it. The review followed requests from victims and lawyers. Officials said it was a safety step.

Q2: Did the photo removal involve Donald Trump?

Officials said no. They said the concern was only about the women in the picture. They confirmed Trump was not part of the decision.

Q3: How many Epstein photos were removed?

Reports from major outlets said up to 16 photos came down. They were linked to files released on Friday. Most were restored after checks.

Q4: Why are Epstein documents heavily redacted?

The department said it used redactions to protect victims. Some details also relate to past investigations. Lawmakers want more clarity.

Q5: Has Trump been accused in the Epstein case?

No. Trump has not been accused of wrongdoing. He has said he knew nothing about Epstein’s crimes.