A deleted image from the Epstein files, which appears to depict the convicted pedophile’s images of Donald Trump, has been re-released.
The image appeared to show a drawer in one of the convicted pedophile’s cabinets, which contained images of the current president.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche described speculation around the deletion of the photograph as “laughable” and claimed that it has been removed over “concerns” about the safety of the people shown in the image.
"It has nothing to do with President Trump," he told Meet the Press.
Meanwhile, California Representative Robert Garcia has called on FBI and DOJ whistleblowers to come forward as anger grows over the Trump administration’s management of the release of the Epstein files.
Garcia, the top Democrat on the Oversight Committee, blasted the Trump administration for heavily redacting the files and missing the legal deadline to release them in full.
“What they need to understand is that there are hundreds of FBI agents and others that are good American patriots that have worked to put these files together. They know what is in them,” Garcia said Sunday on MS NOW.
Key Points
- DOJ still has 'hundreds of thousands' of pages of Epstein material to release
- Congressmen rage at Pam Bondi after her renewed calls to tackle Epstein cases
- Pictured: Trump, Bill Clinton, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Michael Jackson in the Epstein files
- Epstein files provide more details on first victim and alleged Trump meeting
- Missing Trump photo from Epstein files that prompted criticism is back
- SNL's Epstein-themed Trump takedown
Watch: 'In America you don't have to apologise' JD Vance tells audience
09:16 , Owen ScottJD Vance told an audience at a Turning Point USA conference that “in America, you don’t have to apologise.”
The vice president referenced a speech made by rapper Nicki Minaj, as he bragged about throwing D.E.I programs into the “dustbin of history.”
Pictured: Trump, Bill Clinton, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Michael Jackson in the Epstein files
08:43 , Owen ScottThe release of the Epstein files has seen the unveiling of thousands of new pictures related to the case.
Images which appear to show Donald Trump, Bill Clinton, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Michael Jackson have been released.
However, being in a picture with Epstein does not imply any criminal wrongdoing.
Half of Americans are already thinking about 2028 election
08:27 , Owen ScottWith three years left in President Donald Trump’s second term, half of Americans are already thinking about the 2028 presidential election, a new poll found.
Around 22 percent of U.S. adults said they’ve thought about the 2028 election “a lot” while 28 percent said they’d considered it “some,” according to a new CNN-SSRS poll.
On the Democrat side, California Governor Gavin Newsom came in first with 6 percent of respondents mentioning him. He was followed by former Vice President Kamala Harris with 3 percent.
Around 11 percent of respondents said they wanted Vice President JD Vance to launch a bid in 2028, with just 2 percent naming Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Kelly Rissman has the full story...
Trump may have 3 years left but half of Americans already thinking about 2028: poll
Watch: Top Trump official defends decision to erase picture of president with Epstein
08:22 , Owen ScottTodd Blanche, the deputy attorney general, has defended the Trump administration’s decision to delete a picture from the Epstein files.
The photograph revealed a drawer in one of Epstein’s cabinets, which contained a tranche of images of Donald Trump.
Trump has long denied any wrongdoing in the Epstein case and has not been charged with any crime.
Blanche has claimed that “concerns” were raised about the picture, prompting the Trump administration to pull the image.
It has since been reuploaded.
Does Trump appear in the files?
07:55 , Athena StavrouDespite the administration’s attempts to distance the president from Epstein, Trump appears in a handful of photographs that have already been made public, including images of the president with his wife Melania alongside Epstein and Maxwell.
In one image, which was taken inside a desk drawer, Trump appeared to be pictured alongside a group of smiling women in a grainy photograph. The women's identities are not redacted.
The White House has previously acknowledged that Trump appears in the documents, and his name appears dozens of times in emails released by members of Congress last month.
The president has not been accused of wrongdoing in connection with Epstein’s cases, and Trump has repeatedly claimed he cut ties with Epstein before he was under federal investigation.
Why whistleblowers might hold the key to the Epstein files
07:30 , Athena StavrouCalifornia Representative Robert Garcia urged FBI and Department of Justice employees who are angry about the Trump administration’s redactions of the Epstein files to come forward – noting there are whistleblower protections to ensure the truth gets out.
Garcia, the top Democrat on the Oversight Committee, slammed the Trump administration for saying for months that the files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein were ready to be released – only to heavily redact the materials and miss the legal deadline for releasing them in full.
“To spend this entire period of time, the last few months, claiming that you have the files ready to be released... And then this all-out effort to hide them from the public, to stop the will of Congress, to not answer the oversight subpoena. What they need to understand is that there are hundreds of FBI agents and others that are good American patriots that have worked to put these files together. They know what is in them,” Garcia said Sunday on MS NOW.
Garcia urged anyone at the FBI or Department of Justice who worked on the Epstein files – who believes their work is currently being hidden – to come forward to the Oversight Committee.
Isbael Keane has the story:
Full truth of Epstein files could come from whistleblowers, senior Democrat says
ICYMI: Top Trump administration official defends removal of photos from released Epstein files
07:00 , Josh MarcusCongressman pushing to hold Bondi in contempt over Epstein files reveals what he would tell attorney general
06:00 , Josh MarcusRep. Ro Khanna has been among the leading voices in Congress putting pressure on the Trump administration to release the full Epstein files.
In the face of the administration’s delays, Khanna and Rep. Thomas Massie have threatened to hold Attorney General Pam Bondi in contempt.
Speaking to The Bulwark on Sunday, Khanna said he would tell Bondi the following if they ever met: “I would ask her two questions: Who are you protecting? And why?…I understand they'd wanna protect Trump, but why are they trying to protect all these other people around him?"
How the DOJ explains the missing Trump photo in the Epstein files
05:00 , Josh MarcusDeputy Attorney General Todd Blanche on Sunday said it’s “laughable” to think the Department of Justice would remove a photo from the Epstein files because it features President Donald Trump.
Blanche defended the fact that photographs were redacted after initially being released on Friday, along with records from the DOJ’s investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, saying their removal had “nothing to do” with Trump.
“There are dozens of photos of President Trump already released to the public, seeing him with Mr. Epstein,” Blanche said on NBC’s Meet the Press Sunday morning.
“The absurdity of us pulling down a single photo because President Trump was in it is laughable,” he said. “And the fact that everybody’s trying to act like that’s the case is a reflection of their true motivation.”
(The photo was later restored to the DOJ website.)
Isabel Keane reports.
Deputy Attorney General says it’s ‘laughable’ DOJ would take down photos with Trump
ICYMI: Congress escalates push for more Epstein files as Democrats call for whistleblowers
04:00 , Josh MarcusSNL's Epstein-themed Trump takedown
03:00 , Josh MarcusSaturday Night Live's cold open mocked President Donald Trump over the heavily redacted Epstein files and his renaming of the Kennedy Center in a scathing Christmas episode.
James Austin Johnson continued his streak as the president and ridiculed the Trump administration over its claim to be the “most transparent in history” after hundreds of pages of the long-awaited documents were redacted when they were partially released Friday by the Justice Department.
Trump only appeared in the tens of thousands of documents a handful of times, and one of the photographs that appeared to show the president was removed by the DOJ Saturday, Democrats said. Trump is not accused of any wrongdoing.
“With regard to files, we're being very transparent,” Johnson’s Trump began. “Because Jeffrey Epstein was a terrible man, and I didn't know him, and I liked him a lot.”
Rhian Lubin has the story.
SNL mocks Trump over Epstein file redactions in scathing Christmas episode cold open
Pam Bondi tweet about prosecuting Epstein ring hit with X community note
02:00 , Josh MarcusThe Department of Justice previously stated we will bring charges against anyone involved in the trafficking and exploitation of Jeffrey Epstein’s victims. We reaffirm this commitment, and ask any victim to please come forward with any information pertaining to any individuals…
— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) December 21, 2025
X users on Sunday were quick to add missing context to a Sunday tweet from the attorney general vowing to go after remaining criminals tied to the Epstein ring.
Under a tweet from Attorney General Bondi reaffirming the DOJ’s “commitment” prosecute Epstein-related crimes, X users lodged a community note pointing out the numerous redactions and multiple deleted files in the materials that have been released on Epstein to the public so far.
It’s also worth noting how Bondi’s statement appears to contrast with the DOJ’s position over the summer, that further investigations into Epstein associates were not warranted based on existing evidence.
‘Epstein client list’ doesn’t exist, feds say, despite Musk’s claim that Trump on it
Trump is 'very frustrated' with continued Epstein pressure, Khanna claims
01:20 , Josh MarcusDonald Trump may be fuming behind closed doors about the ongoing political pressure of the Epstein scandal, according to congressman Ro Khanna.
"I think Trump is genuinely very frustrated because the reality is usually he just lies about something or says, ‘Move on,’ and his base moves on,” Khanna told The Bulwark on Sunday. “If he wants to bomb people in the Caribbean, he'll bomb people in the Caribbean. If he wants to have ICE agents rip people away from their families, they'll have ICE agents do that...And usually the Republicans in Congress don't say anything.”
“In his opinion, he just doesn’t understand it,” Khanna added. “Why is it that he’s losing his MAGA base over this issue?”
Republican lawmakers like Thomas Massie and Marjorie Taylor Greene have played a key role in the pressure on Trump so far, helping trigger a vote in the House that ultimately paved the way for the president to sign a law mandating the release of the Epstein files.
.@RoKhanna: "I think Trump is genuinely very frustrated because the reality is usually he just lies about something or says move on and his base moves on. If he wants to bomb people in the Caribbean, he'll bomb people in the Caribbean. If he wants to have ICE agents rip people… pic.twitter.com/x0DcTX6FFl
— The Bulwark (@BulwarkOnline) December 21, 2025
DOJ still has 'hundreds of thousands' of pages of Epstein material to release
00:50 , Josh MarcusThe DOJ admitted on Sunday it has “hundreds of thousands” of pages from the Epstein files it has yet to release, despite a Friday legal deadline to share the files with the public.
In an X post, the Justice Department said the delays were because of efforts to ensure releases complied with court orders and protected the identities of victims and minors.
“NO redactions have been or will be made to protect famous individuals or political exposed persons, “ the department wrote.
A team of roughly 200 lawyers is working on reviewing the files, the DOJ added.
WATCH: Top Trump administration official defends removal of photos from released Epstein files
00:20 , Josh MarcusEpstein files provide more details on first victim and alleged Trump meeting
Sunday 21 December 2025 23:17 , Josh MarcusThe newly released Epstein files include a reference to a 2020 lawsuit describing the late pedophile’s approach of a girl thought to be his first victim.
The lawsuit alleges that in 1994, Epstein and his now-imprisoned associate Ghislaine Maxwell approached a 13-year-old, whose name is anonymous in the filing, at the prestigious Interlochen Arts Camp in Michigan.
At the time, the teen was a student there and Epstein “bragged to her about being a patron of the arts,” according to the lawsuit.
Epstein and Maxwell allegedly asked the girl numerous questions about her background, and later proceeded to “groom” the teen over a number of years when she returned to her home in Florida.
Epstein allegedly sexually abused the girl on multiple occasions and insisted she call him “godfather,” according to the suit.
The lawsuit also claims that Epstein once introduced the teen to Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, at which point “Epstein elbowed Trump playfully asking, referring [to teen], “‘This is a good one, right?’”
By 1999, the girl had moved to Los Angeles and cut ties with Epstein, according to the suit.
“It’s not news that President Trump knew Epstein back in the day, because he kicked him out of his club for being a creep,” the White House told The Independent. “Despite desperate wishcasting from the Democrats, the fact remains: Donald Trump never did anything wrong. The same can’t be said for Democrats like Hakeem Jeffries and Stacey Plaskett who continued to reach out to and pal around with Epstein after he was a convicted sex offender.”
The president has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing or knowledge associated with Epstein’s abuses and trafficking.
The allegations appear to match those made in a book about Epstein.
Epstein met first known underage victim at prestigious Michigan arts camp, book says
Missing Trump photo from Epstein files that prompted criticism is back
Sunday 21 December 2025 23:05 , Josh Marcus
The Justice Department has now republished a highly scrutinized photo from the Epstein files showing a drawer with pictures of Donald Trump, which it had previously removed from circulation.
In the photo, one of the images visible appeared to show Trump standing with a group of women, while another was a well-known image of Trump, Melania Trump, Epstein, and Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
When observers noticed the photo had gone missing, Democrats accused the administration of orchestrating a cover-up.
“The Southern District of New York flagged an image of President Trump for potential further action to protect victims,” the Justice Department wrote on X of the restored image. “Out of an abundance of caution, the Department of Justice temporarily removed the image for further review. 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 removed photo was just one of multiple files that were released then deleted over the course of this weekend.
Catch up on the whole controversy here.
Over a dozen Epstein files disappear from DOJ site including Trump photo
Congressmen rage at Pam Bondi after her renewed calls to tackle Epstein cases
Sunday 21 December 2025 22:35 , Josh MarcusThe Trump administration is on the defensive, facing accusations it is illegally slow-walking the release of the Epstein files.
Attorney General Pam Bondi on Sunday seemed to add fuel to the fire with an X post where she vowed the DOJ would “bring charges against anyone involved in the trafficking and exploitation of Jeffrey Epstein’s victims.”
“Your promise to prosecute rich & powerful men who were at Epstein's rape island would be more credible if you stop breaking @RepThomasMassie & my law,” Rep. Ro Khanna wrote on X in response. “Release the draft 60 count indictment, 82 page prosecution memo and the FBI files.”
“Unfortunately, @AGPambondi is breaking the law,” Massie added in his own X post. “Epstein survivors aren't satisfied with the DOJ's incomplete and redacted Epstein files disclosures, and neither am I. Congress should assert its ability to hold Bondi in ‘inherent contempt’ to get justice for the survivors.”
Why whistleblowers might hold the key to the Epstein files
Sunday 21 December 2025 22:06 , Josh MarcusCalifornia Representative Robert Garcia urged FBI and Department of Justice employees who are angry about the Trump administration’s redactions of the Epstein files to come forward – noting there are whistleblower protections to ensure the truth gets out.
Garcia, the top Democrat on the Oversight Committee, slammed the Trump administration for saying for months that the files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein were ready to be released – only to heavily redact the materials and miss the legal deadline for releasing them in full.
“To spend this entire period of time, the last few months, claiming that you have the files ready to be released... And then this all-out effort to hide them from the public, to stop the will of Congress, to not answer the oversight subpoena. What they need to understand is that there are hundreds of FBI agents and others that are good American patriots that have worked to put these files together. They know what is in them,” Garcia said Sunday on MS NOW.
Garcia urged anyone at the FBI or Department of Justice who worked on the Epstein files – who believes their work is currently being hidden – to come forward to the Oversight Committee.
Isbael Keane has the story.
Full truth of Epstein files could come from whistleblowers, senior Democrat says
WATCH: Congress wants to hear from whistleblowers over missing Epstein files
Sunday 21 December 2025 21:30 , Josh MarcusDOJ will continue going after Epstein ring if new evidence arises, Bondi says
Sunday 21 December 2025 21:00 , Josh Marcus
As the Trump administration faces criticism it hasn’t done enough to release the full Epstein files on time, Attorney General Pam Bondi on Sunday reiterated the DOJ’s vow to continuing prosecuting those tied to Epstein’s trafficking ring.
“The Department of Justice previously stated we will bring charges against anyone involved in the trafficking and exploitation of Jeffrey Epstein’s victims,” she wrote on X. “We reaffirm this commitment, and ask any victim to please come forward with any information pertaining to any individuals who engaged in illicit activity at their expense.”
“We have met with many victims and victims groups, and will continue to do so if more reach out,” she added. “We believe in the equal standard of justice in this country and will ensure that Justice is served.”
Lawmakers in the House are threatening to bring inherent contempt proceedings against Attorney General Pam Bondi, following accusations the DOJ has failed to comply with a November law mandating the release of the Epstein files.
“The quickest, and I think, most expeditious way to get justice for these victims is to bring inherent contempt against Pam Bondi, and that doesn’t require going through the courts,” Republican Rep. Thomas Massie told CBS’s Face the Nation on Sunday.
“We do not just do memes or speeches,” Rep. Ro Khanna, a California Democrat partnering with Massie on the effort, wrote on X of the contempt process. “We take action to fight a corrupt system.”
Inherent contempt refers to a congressional power, rarely used in modern times, that allows lawmakers to punish individuals who are not complying with their investigatory powers, according to the Congressional Research Service, including by imprisoning or fining them.
When asked about these plans on Sunday on NBC’s Meet The Press, Deputy Attorney Todd Blanche brushed off the threats, saying he wasn’t even “a little bit” concerned.
“Bring it on,” he said. “We are doing everything we’re supposed to be doing to comply with this statute.”
How Congress could force Trump's hand on Epstein with 'inherent contempt' proceedings
Sunday 21 December 2025 20:43 , Josh MarcusLawmakers in the House are threatening to bring inherent contempt proceedings against Attorney General Pam Bondi, following accusations the DOJ has failed to comply with a November law mandating the release of the Epstein files.
“The quickest, and I think, most expeditious way to get justice for these victims is to bring inherent contempt against Pam Bondi, and that doesn’t require going through the courts,” Republican Rep. Thomas Massie told CBS’s Face the Nation on Sunday.
“We do not just do memes or speeches,” Rep. Ro Khanna, a California Democrat partnering with Massie on the effort, wrote on X of the contempt process. “We take action to fight a corrupt system.”
Inherent contempt refers to a congressional power, rarely used in modern times, that allows lawmakers to punish individuals who are not complying with their investigatory powers, according to the Congressional Research Service, including by imprisoning or fining them.
When asked about these plans on Sunday on NBC’s Meet The Press, Deputy Attorney Todd Blanche brushed off the threats, saying he wasn’t even “a little bit” concerned.
“Bring it on,” he said. “We are doing everything we’re supposed to be doing to comply with this statute.”
California congressman tells whistleblowers at FBI and Justice Department to get in touch
Sunday 21 December 2025 20:30 , Isabel KeaneGarcia: If you are a whistleblower at the FBI, at the DOJ, if you worked hard to put the files together and are seeing your work now being hidden by your own DOJ, contact the oversight committee. We have whistleblower protections. We want to make sure that the truth gets out,… pic.twitter.com/W3nDj5jQhV
— Acyn (@Acyn) December 21, 2025
It’s ‘laughable’ DOJ would take down photos from Epstein files because of Trump: Deputy AG
Sunday 21 December 2025 19:59 , Josh MarcusDeputy Attorney General Todd Blanche on Sunday said it’s “laughable” to think the Department of Justice would remove a photo from the Epstein files because it features President Donald Trump.
Blanche defended the fact that photographs were redacted after initially being released on Friday, along with records from the DOJ’s investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, saying their removal had “nothing to do” with Trump.
“There are dozens of photos of President Trump already released to the public, seeing him with Mr. Epstein,” Blanche said on NBC’s Meet the Press Sunday morning.
“The absurdity of us pulling down a single photo because President Trump was in it is laughable,” he said. “And the fact that everybody’s trying to act like that’s the case is a reflection of their true motivation.”
Isabel Keane reports.
Deputy Attorney General says it’s ‘laughable’ DOJ would take down photos with Trump
Democratic lawmakers question partial release of files
Sunday 21 December 2025 19:30 , Isabel KeaneDemocratic lawmakers on Sunday continued to question President Donald Trump and the Justice Department for the partial release of the Epstein files, igniting fresh accusations of a cover-up.
Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin argued on CNN’s State of the Union Sunday that the Justice Department isn’t obstructing the release of the Epstein files to protect victims, as officials have claimed.
“It’s all about covering up things that, for whatever reason, Donald Trump doesn’t want to go public, either about himself, other members of his family, friends, Jeffrey Epstein, or just the social, business, cultural network that he was involved in for at least a decade, if not longer,” Raskin said.
Rep. Massie says lawmakers are drafting effort to hold Attorney General Pam Bondi in inherent contempt
Sunday 21 December 2025 19:00 , Isabel KeaneBRENNAN: What are you going to do to force DOJ to comply?
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 21, 2025
MASSIE: The quickest way and most expeditious way to get justice for these victims is to bring inherent contempt against Pam Bondi. That doesn't require going through the courts. We're drafting that right now. pic.twitter.com/k2dCmVfpe5
'I think it should all be released,' Sen. Rand Paul tells ABC's 'This Week'
Sunday 21 December 2025 18:26 , Isabel KeaneRand Paul on Epstein files: "I think it all should be released. I think it's a big mistake. Any indication that there's not a full reveal on this, it will just plague them for months and months more. pic.twitter.com/ZfsAPmU95W
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 21, 2025
Justice Department re-releases 119-page grand jury documents with 'minimal redactions'
Sunday 21 December 2025 17:24 , Isabel KeaneThe Justice Department on Sunday re-released 119 pages labeled as grand jury materials in the 2021 case against Ghislaine Maxwell, noting that the files now have “minimal redactions.”
“Here is the document now with minimal redactions. Documents and photos will continue to be reviewed consistent with the law and with an abundance of caution for victims and their families,” the DOJ wrote on X along with a link to the document.
The lengthy document had been completely redacted when it was first released Friday.
Maxwell was convicted of sex trafficking minors to be abused by financier Jeffrey Epstein in 2021.
Lawmakers who pushed for Epstein files to be released say they are considering an effort to hold attorney general in contempt of Congress
Sunday 21 December 2025 16:54 , Isabel KeaneRepublican Rep. Thomas Massie and Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna, who together led the charge to release the Epstein files, say they are considering an effort to hold Attorney General Pam Bondi in inherent contempt of Congress over the extensive redactions made to the documents.
“The quickest, and I think, most expeditious way to get justice for these victims is to bring inherent contempt against Pam Bondi, and that doesn’t require going through the courts,” Massie told CBS’ Face the Nation on Sunday.
The two lawmakers are currently drafting legislation to hold Bondi in inherent contempt. The U.S. Constitution notes that federal courts can punish contempt and impose other sanctions on parties who engage in misconduct.
“We only need the House for inherent contempt, and we’re building a bipartisan coalition,” Khanna said. “So, I believe we’re going to get bipartisan support in holding her accountable, and a committee of Congress should determine whether these redactions are justified or not.”
Khanna said they measure being drafted “would fine Pam Bondi for every day that she’s not releasing these documents.”
Department of Justice missed deadline to release documents 'to protect victims'
Sunday 21 December 2025 16:30 , Isabel KeaneThe Department of Justice missed the Friday deadline to release all of the files related to Jeffrey Epstein because the statute requiring their release also requires them to protect victims, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said.
“It’s very simple and very clear. The statute [Epstein Files Transparency Act] also requires us to protect victims,” Blanche said on Meet the Press Sunday morning.
“The reason why we are still reviewing documents and still continuing our process is simply that,” he said. “To protect victims.”
Photo of desk with pictures of Trump on it removed over concerns about the women pictured
Sunday 21 December 2025 16:04 , Isabel KeaneA photo of an open desk drawer that showed pictures of Donald Trump was taken down from the Department of Justice website over “concerns” about the women in the images, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said Sunday.
“You can see in that photo there are photos of women. We learned after releasing that photograph that there were concerns about those women and the fact that we had put that photo up, so we pulled that photo down. It has nothing to do with President Trump,” Blanche said on Meet the Press Sunday morning.
“There are dozens of photos of President Trump already released to the public of him with Mr. Epstein,” Blanche added, noting the two “socialized” in the 90s and early 2000s.
Blanche said that photos and materials have been redacted after being published due to concerns from victims or victims’ rights groups.
When asked if the women in the photos were victims of Epstein and that’s why the image was taken down, Blanche responded, “No, that’s not what I’m saying.”
Deputy Attorney General defends removing some photos
Sunday 21 December 2025 15:51 , Isabel KeaneDeputy Attorney General Todd Blanche defended photographs that were redacted after being released Friday, along with records from the Department of Justice’s investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.
“There were a number of photographs that were pulled down after being released on Friday. That’s because a judge in New York has ordered us to listen to any victim or victim rights’ group if they have any concerns about the material that we’re putting up,” Blanche said on NBC’s Meet the Press Sunday morning.
Blanche stressed that once those concerns are flagged, “of course,” they are going to take the photo down and make redactions before uploading it again.
“We are, in every way, shape and form, complying with the statute, which, by the way, is what President Trump has been asking us to do since before he was elected,” Blanche continued.
“There is nothing that he has to hide in the Epstein files, there never was,” he said.
DOJ says it will continue to review and redact materials
Sunday 21 December 2025 15:14 , Isabel KeaneThe U.S. Department of Justice says it will continue to review and redact materials “consistent with the law.”
“Photos and other materials will continue being reviewed and redacted consistent with the law in an abundance of caution as we receive additional information,” the agency noted on X Saturday night.
The DOJ on Friday released some of the records related to its investigations into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The thin batch of documents prompted critics from both sides of the aisle to accuse the DOJ of heavily redacting the materials and failing to meet a legal deadline to share all documents in its possession by Friday.
The Justice Department has also been accused of deleting once public documents, including a photo featuring President Donald Trump that was part of the Epstein files library on Friday.
In response to allegations of a cover-up, the Trump administration said its release of the files shows they are the “most transparent” administration in history.
Epstein survivor finally learns from files what happened to 1996 child porn complaint she made to FBI - years before financier was investigated
Sunday 21 December 2025 15:00 , Maryam Zakir-HussainThe release of tens of thousands of files from probes into deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has confirmed that a former employee warned the FBI in 1996 that he was seeking out child pornography - a decade before the agency investigated the financier.
“I’ve waited 30 years,” Maria Farmer told The New York Times after the Justice Department released files Friday. Among the documents was Farmer’s report to the bureau, which is thought to be the first time someone reported Epstein to law enforcement.
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Epstein survivor learns fate of her 1996 FBI complaint in file dump
Glaring gaps in Epstein files as DOJ release offers scant new insight into his crimes
Sunday 21 December 2025 14:15 , Maryam Zakir-HussainThe Justice Department’s much-anticipated release of records tied to Jeffrey Epstein arrived in a flood of documents that did little to quell the long-simmering intrigue, largely because some of the most consequential records were nowhere to be found.
The initial disclosures, spanning tens of thousands of pages, offer scant new insight into Epstein’s crimes or the decisions that allowed him to avoid serious federal prosecution for years.
Missing are FBI interviews with survivors and internal Justice Department memos examining charging decisions — records that could have helped explain how investigators viewed the case and why Epstein was allowed in 2008 to plead guilty to a relatively minor state-level prostitution charge.
Glaring gaps in Epstein files as released docs offer scant new insight into crimes
'What else is being covered up?': 16 files disappear from DoJ website
Sunday 21 December 2025 13:30 , Maryam Zakir-HussainAt least 16 files disappeared from the Justice Department's public webpage for documents related to Jeffrey Epstein — including a photograph showing President Donald Trump — less than a day after they were posted, with no explanation from the government and no notice to the public.
The missing files, which were available Friday and no longer accessible by Saturday, included images of paintings depicting nude women, and one showing a series of photographs along a credenza and in drawers.
In that image, inside a drawer among other photos, was a photograph of Trump, alongside Epstein, Melania Trump and Epstein's longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
The Justice Department didn't answer questions Saturday about why the files disappeared but said in a post on X that "photos and other materials will continue being reviewed and redacted consistent with the law in an abundance of caution as we receive additional information."
Online, the unexplained missing files fueled speculation about what was taken down and why the public was not notified, compounding long-standing intrigue about Epstein and the powerful figures who surrounded him.
Democrats on the House Oversight Committee pointed to the missing image featuring a Trump photo in a post on X, writing: "What else is being covered up? We need transparency for the American public."
What is missing from the partially released Epstein files?
Sunday 21 December 2025 12:55 , James ReynoldsSome of the most consequential records are nowhere to be found in the Justice Department's initial disclosures.
Missing are FBI interviews with survivors and internal DoJ memos examining charging decisions, records that could have helped explain why Epstein was allowed to plead guilty to a relatively minor state-level prostitution charge in 2008.
Rep. Ro Khanna said that “the most important documents are missing”. He said survivors most wanted to see a prosecution memo and a draft indictment drawn up against Epstein by federal prosecutor Marie Villafaña in 2007.
Those documents were never filed as her superiors chose to negotiate a deal with Epstein instead.
The records also hardly reference several powerful figures long associated with Epstein, including Britain's former Prince Andrew, renewing questions about who was scrutinised, who was not, and how much the disclosures truly advance public accountability.
The releases so far have been heavy on images of Epstein's homes in New York City and the US Virgin Islands, with some photos of celebrities and politicians.
What did the '16 removed photos' show?
Sunday 21 December 2025 12:28 , James ReynoldsSixteen pictures included in Friday’s release of Epstein files were seemingly taken down on Saturday.
They were undated and unlabelled, but appeared to be from a 2019 search of Epstein’s New York mansion.
One photograph now missing showed a dresser covered in and containing pictures of people. Inside a drawer was a picture of Trump, alongside Epstein, Melania Trump and Ghislaine Maxwell.
Twelve of the pictures removed appeared to show the massage room at Epstein’s New York mansion, according to the NYT.
The images showed paintings and photos of nude women.
It was unclear why those pictures were removed. Other, similar images remained on the website.
While the DOJ has not publicly released a detailed index of the missing files, social media users who independently tracked the file list say they identified 16 documents that were possibly removed.
The DoJ said: “Photos and other materials will continue being reviewed and redacted consistent with the law in an abundance of caution as we receive additional information.”
