Several Epstein files disappear from DOJ site as Trump photo reinstated after extreme backlash

Less than a day after House Democrats released another batch of images and files related to the heinous crimes of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and 16 were seemingly deleted.

Amongst the 16 documents removed from the Justice Department's public webpage was one that included a damning photograph of President Trump, which has since been reinstated following mass backlash.

A deadline of Friday (19 Dec) was set by Congress for every document relating to the case to be made public.

Despite a number of images dropping - including photographs of paintings owned by Epstein which included nude women, and some showing the late media mogul partying with a number of high-profile people, including Bill Clinton, Michael Jackson and Mick Jagger - the Justice Department held a number back, insisting they be released on a rolling basis.

A number of stars were featured in the latest release, including Bill Clinton and Michael Jackson (Justice Department)

As we say, however, by Saturday morning, 16 documents from the release had suddenly disappeared - including one of Republican frontman, Trump.

The image in question is a photograph itself, placed inside a drawer, which sees the 79-year-old politician posing beside wife Melania, along with Epstein - who took his own life whilst awaiting trial in prison on sex trafficking charges in 2019 - and his now-jailed associate, Ghislaine Maxwell.

Unsurprisingly, however, the disappearance has raised concerns over transparency, fuelling speculation as to the reasons behind it.

Taking to X, Democrats on the House Oversight Committee pointed out that the photograph of Trump had been taken down, demanding: "What else is being covered up? We need transparency for the American public."

Including the image of Trump, the team wrote in another message: "This photo, file 468, from the Epstein files that includes Donald Trump has apparently now been removed from the DOJ release."

Donald Trump features in a photograph, placed on the left-hand-side of an open drawer (Justice Department)

Mentioning the country's Attorney General, Pam Bondi, they asked: "Is this true?"

Attempting to offer an explanation, deputy Attorney General, Todd Blanche told press on Sunday (21 Dec) that the removal was orchestrated amid concerns raised by Epstein's victims.

He went on to reject claims that the disappearance occurred under the instruction of Trump.

"There are dozens of photos of President Trump already released to the public seeing him with Mr Epstein," Blanche continued. "So the absurdity of us pulling down a photo, a single photo, because President Trump was in it, is laughable."

On the image's subsequent reinstatement, the Justice Department claimed: "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 photo was later reinstated (Davidoff Studios/Getty Images)

It is important to note, however, that though Trump and Epstein enjoyed a friendship for several years, the father-of-five insists they fell out in the early 2000s - years before Epstein was first arrested for sex crimes.

Furthermore, Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein.

According to PBS, though, amongst the documents that were released to the public, little to no new insight has been provided into Epstein's crimes, a gut-wrenching blow to many of his victims.

It is understood that several FBI interviews with victims have been omitted thus far, along with internal Justice Department memos on charging decisions.

On the delayed release and the disappearances, Marina Lacerda - who was allegedly abused by Epstein at his New York City mansion several times when she was 14 - told press: "I feel like again the DOJ, the justice system is failing us."