The Justice Department removed documents from the files of the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, including a photo of President Donald Trump, from its website due to concerns raised by victims, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said.

The official rejected criticism that suggested the removal was related to the US president and He stated that the photograph in which Trump appeared also showed uncensored images of women. At least 13 files, out of the thousands published on Friday related to Epstein, disappeared from the website without explanation on Saturday. Democrats on the House Oversight Committee questioned the removal of the images. In a social media post, they asked Attorney General Pam Bondi, “What else is being hidden?” The US Department of Justice (DOJ) reported Sunday in a post on X that the image of Trump was flagged by a judge in the Southern District of New York for “potential further action to protect victims.” It added that the image was temporarily removed for further review “out of an abundance of caution.” “After review, it was determined that there is no evidence that any of Epstein's victims appear in the photograph, and it has been republished without any alteration or censorship,” the DOJ stated. The image reappeared early Sunday and is available via a link on the website. The other files remained unavailable to the public Sunday night. Blanche called the suggestion that the photo was removed because of the president “ridiculous.” “It has nothing to do with President Trump,” NBC News told. “Dozens of photos of President Trump with Mr. Epstein have already been published.” “So the idea that we would remove a single photo because President Trump appeared in it is ridiculous,” he added. Blanche told a New York judge “has ordered us to listen to any victims or victims' rights advocacy groups if they have any concerns,” referring to the reason for removing some previously published files. “Several photographs were taken down after they were posted on Friday,” she stated. Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein and has not been accused of any crimes by his victims. There is no indication that these photographs imply any crime.

Criticism of the Justice Department

The DOJ has been criticized for not releasing all the files by Friday's deadline, as required by law.

The documents, which include photos, videos, and investigative material related to Epstein, were highly anticipated after Congress passed a law requiring their full release by Friday.

Congressman Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican who spearheaded the effort to release the files, said he was frustrated by the Trump administration's response and stated that his priority is justice for the victims.

He indicated that he is preparing a contempt of court charge against Attorney General Pam Bondi.

“They are ignoring the spirit and the letter of the law,” he told CBS News on Sunday. "The stance they have taken is very troubling. I will not be satisfied until the victims are satisfied."

The image included in the deleted files shows a desk in Epstein's home with an open drawer full of other photos, one of which shows the president with Epstein, First Lady Melania Trump, and Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's associate convicted for his crimes.

Framed photos can also be seen on top of the desk.

Ten of the missing files include images that apparently show the same room: a small massage room with clouds painted on the ceiling and patterned brown wallpaper and multiple nudes. Some appear to be photographs, others are works of art.

The faces of most of the women depicted on the wall have been censored.

However, one appears redacted in one file, but is clearly visible in three others. Another face remains uncensored in all the files, while a painted-on image of the same person is also visible. On Saturday, Democrats on the House Oversight Committee, questioning the removal of the files, posted the missing Trump photo on social media and asked Attorney General Pam Bondi if it was true that the image had been removed.

“What else is being hidden? We need transparency for the American public,” the committee wrote.

Growing Mistrust

The removal of the files comes at a time of growing mistrust of the US government and the Epstein files.

The documents released Friday came to light thanks to an act of Congress that compelled the DOJ to release them.

The DOJ stated that it would comply with Congress's request to release the documents, with some conditions.

Personally identifiable information of Epstein's victims, material depicting child sexual abuse, and material depicting physical abuse were redacted.

Also redacted were any records that “could jeopardize an federal investigation” or any ongoing investigation. classified documents that must remain secret to protect “national defense or foreign policy.”

However, many of the released documents were heavily redacted.

Little new information was gained about Epstein's crimes and documents such as internal Justice Department memos on indictment decisions were not included in the released files.

With additional reporting by Alison Benjamin and Benedict Garman.