- Photo showing Trump, Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell removed Saturday then restored Sunday
- Deputy AG Todd Blanche insists removal had “nothing to do with President Trump”
- Lawmakers threaten inherent contempt charges against AG Pam Bondi over incomplete release
WASHINGTON, D.C. (TDR) — The Department of Justice on Sunday confirmed the Epstein photo restored to its Epstein files webpage after widespread outrage over its removal, along with approximately 15 other files that had disappeared following Friday’s initial release.
The photo in question showed a desk with a drawer open containing multiple photographs, including at least two images of Donald Trump—one depicting him alongside his wife Melania, Jeffrey Epstein and convicted accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, and another showing him with women in bathing suits.
Blanche Defends Photo Removal on Meet the Press
NBC News’s Kristen Welker questioned Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche on Sunday’s Meet the Press about why the photo and other files had been taken down from the DOJ’s Epstein Library website.
“You can see in that photo, there’s photographs of women. And so 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.”
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“The absurdity of us pulling down a photo, a single photo, because President Trump was in it, is laughable,” Blanche said, noting the president has acknowledged socializing with Epstein in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Epstein Photo Restored After SDNY Review
Hours after the interview, the Department of Justice posted a statement to social media explaining the photo had been temporarily removed for review.
“The Southern District of New York flagged an image of President Trump for potential further action to protect victims,” the DOJ stated. “Out of an abundance of caution, the Department of Justice temporarily removed the image for further review.”
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE THE DUPREE REPORT
Following that review, officials determined no evidence existed that any Epstein victims were depicted in the photograph. The image was subsequently reposted without any alteration or redaction.
Lawmakers Threaten Contempt Charges Over Incomplete Release
The photo controversy comes amid broader criticism of the Justice Department’s handling of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which President Trump signed on November 19, 2025. The law mandated Attorney General Pam Bondi release all unclassified Epstein-related records within 30 days.
Representatives Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), who co-sponsored the transparency legislation, announced Sunday they are drafting inherent contempt charges against Bondi over what they characterize as an incomplete and heavily redacted release.
“The quickest way, and I think most expeditious way, to get justice for these victims is to bring inherent contempt against Pam Bondi,” Massie said on CBS’s Face the Nation. “And that doesn’t require going through the courts.”
DOJ Defends Rolling Release Strategy
Blanche defended the department’s approach, arguing that releasing documents on a rolling basis while conducting thorough victim-protection reviews complies with the statute’s intent.
“The reason why we are still reviewing documents and still continuing our process is simply to protect victims,” Blanche told NBC.
When asked whether he was concerned about the impeachment and contempt threats from lawmakers, Blanche responded dismissively.
“Not even a little bit. Bring it on. We are doing everything we’re supposed to be doing to comply with this statute.”
Khanna countered that inherent contempt would not require Senate approval, adding that he and Massie are “building a bipartisan coalition” that would “fine Pam Bondi for every day that she’s not releasing these documents.”
Friday’s release included roughly 3,000 photographs and documents, many heavily redacted. One 119-page grand jury transcript was initially released completely blacked out before being re-released Sunday with minimal redactions.
Will the bipartisan push for inherent contempt succeed in forcing the complete release of all Epstein files?
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Just never ends. Before he had Epstein banned from his properties, after finding out he was a perv, and accused of raping a young girl on his property, of course Epstein and his cohort, Maxwell, were photographed together, along with Melania. And those “Bathing beauties?” were women over 21, in a Beauty Contest, of which, Trump hosted and sponsored, for a long time.
And that old photo of Trump and STORMY in Vegas? Trump’s hotel? Setup by her Friend, who thought it would be good Publicity. And the Dems couldn’t wait to USE IT AGAINST TRUMP, during his 1st Term. “WE GOT HIM NOW” “HUSH MONEY, paid by MICHAEL COHEN” Only to find out, it was COHEN trying to COVER for himself. And, in Jan.. of 2018, STORMY, IN A TWITTER POST, Posted a Letter, SAYING, that SHE NEVER HAD ANY RELATIONSHIP with TRUMP. PERIOD! I have that post.
NOW they find that all of the BS, against Trump, was indeed, all lies. And those who brought charges against him? They all have their own crimes that have surfaced. AND LOW and BEHOLD, just out: 357,000 BALLOTS, in FULTON COUNTY, were FOUND to be Fraudulent, and not signed off on by any OFFICIALS. 2020, indeed was RIGGED. Duplicated times over.
Dems, should be held accountable for all of their MISDEEDS, and CRIMES! They just won’t give up!
Very well written. Everything you wrote is true.
thank you for that!!