According to the DOJ, the photograph was briefly taken down after the Southern District of New York raised concerns as a precautionary measure to ensure the protection of victims.
Washington DC [US], December 22, 2025, BNN Web Staff — The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has restored a photograph of President Donald Trump that appeared in the latest release of documents linked to convicted financier Jeffrey Epstein, stating that a review found no victims depicted in the image.
According to the DOJ, the photograph was briefly taken down after the Southern District of New York raised concerns as a precautionary measure to ensure the protection of victims.
Following a detailed review, the Department concluded that the image did not contain any Epstein victims and therefore reposted it without edits or redactions.
In a statement shared on social media platform X, the DOJ said the temporary removal was carried out “out of an abundance of caution” and reaffirmed that the image posed no legal or ethical concerns related to victim identification.
Earlier media reports indicated that several documents from the Epstein files had temporarily disappeared from the public database. According to those reports, at least 16 files were removed for review, including the photograph featuring President Trump.
Other files reportedly taken down included images of artwork, building interiors, mail slots, and a notebook page listing names and apartment numbers.
The DOJ has maintained that its approach to releasing the Epstein-related material is guided strictly by legal obligations.
In an official release, the Department stressed that it remains committed to transparency and only redacts information required by law, particularly content that could identify victims, minors, or individuals who may be at risk.
The Department further clarified that no information has been withheld to shield public figures or politically influential individuals.
It added that materials are sometimes temporarily removed after receiving requests from individuals claiming victim status or their legal representatives. Such content is reviewed and subsequently restored with necessary redactions if mandated under federal law.
