The US Department of Justice has defended its decision to temporarily remove photographs from a major release of documents related to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, denying the move was politically motivated to shield President Donald Trump.
DoJ Cites Victim Protection for Image Removal
Deputy US Attorney General Todd Blanche stated on Sunday 22 December 2025 that the removal of 16 images, including one featuring Donald Trump, had "nothing to do" with the president. He explained the action was taken at the request of victim advocacy groups concerned about insufficient redactions.
"We don't have perfect information," Blanche told NBC's Meet the Press. "And so when we hear from victims-rights groups about this type of photograph, we pull it down and investigate." He indicated the images would likely be restored, pending a review to determine if redactions were necessary to protect identities.
The controversy stems from the partial release of documents on Friday 20 December, mandated by the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The law required a full disclosure by 19 December, a deadline the DoJ missed, citing the need to review materials to safeguard victims.
Democrats Allege Inadequate Release and White House Cover-Up
Democratic officials have sharply criticised the administration's handling of the release. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries labelled the initial document dump "inadequate" and falling "short of what the law requires." He argued the DoJ must provide Congress with a written explanation for withholding any documents within 15 days.
The political firestorm intensified when Democrats on the House Oversight committee noted the removal of a specific photograph from the DoJ's online portal. The image showed Epstein's desk with two pictures of Trump visible. "This is a White House cover-up," the committee's Democrat members declared on social media platform X.
Prominent victims' rights attorney Gloria Allred added her voice to the criticism, telling CNN the "system has failed the survivors." She expressed alarm over the publication of survivors' names and the potential release of unredacted images, including those that might show women unclothed.
Partisan Battle Over Redactions and Revelations
The dispute highlights the intensely partisan nature of the congressionally-ordered document release. Democrats accuse the Trump administration of selectively redacting files to damage political opponents, notably former President Bill Clinton, whose hot-tub photo with Ghislaine Maxwell was included.
A spokesperson for Clinton accused Republicans of orchestrating a politically motivated smear, stating, "What they're hiding is not obvious. But it must not be good."
Republicans countered, accusing Democrats of "cherry-picked" editing to create a "hoax" against President Trump and of chasing headlines at victims' expense.
Amid the crossfire, some Republicans also urged caution. Representative Nancy Mace emphasised the need for transparency but also for protecting the identities of potential victims. The DoJ's redaction process itself came under scrutiny when it was revealed a redacted child's face in a released photo of Clinton and Michael Jackson was, in fact, Jackson's son—an image readily available in public archives.
As the justice department continues its review, the episode underscores the ongoing legal and political battles surrounding the Epstein case, balancing demands for public transparency against the imperative to protect victims' privacy.
