The US Justice Department has restored a photograph that briefly disappeared from a public batch of documents linked to the investigation of Jeffrey Epstein, after its removal triggered political controversy.
Officials confirmed that the image which includes a photograph of President Donald Trump was taken down for less than a day as part of a precautionary review and was not removed to protect the president. The picture, showing an open desk drawer containing a photo of Trump alongside several women, was reposted after authorities determined it did not compromise victim privacy.
According to the United States Department of Justice, federal prosecutors in New York flagged the image after concerns were raised that it might unintentionally reveal identities of Epstein’s victims. The department said it acted cautiously following representations from individuals identified as victims and their legal counsel.
After reviewing the material, officials concluded that none of Epstein’s victims appeared in the photograph. “There is no evidence that any Epstein victims are depicted, and the image has been restored without edits or redactions,” the department said in a post on X.
Deputy US Attorney General Todd Blanche rejected suggestions that the move was linked to Trump. Speaking on Meet the Press, he said the temporary removal was based solely on uncertainty surrounding the women visible in the image and not the president.
Blanche added that officials did not have complete information at the time and chose to remove the photograph briefly while verification was underway.
Despite the explanation, the episode drew criticism from Democratic Party leaders, who accused the department of a lack of transparency and alleged preferential treatment. The incident has renewed debate in Washington over how sensitive materials connected to the Epstein case are being disclosed to the public.
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