Democrats from the House Oversight Committee are demanding answers from the Department of Justice (DOJ) regarding the alleged deletion of a photograph featuring Donald Trump alongside Jeffrey Epstein, Melania Trump, and Ghislaine Maxwell. The image, which surfaced as part of a recent DOJ file release, was reportedly removed shortly after its initial disclosure on March 15, 2025.
The photo, found within an open desk drawer among other images, was part of a collection shared by the DOJ before it was taken down. House Oversight Committee Democrats expressed their concerns through a post on social media platform X, questioning the integrity of the DOJ’s actions: “This photo, file 468, from the Epstein files that includes Donald Trump has apparently now been removed from the DOJ release. @AGPamBondi, is this true? What else is being covered up? We need transparency for the American public.”
The Associated Press reported that this photograph was one of at least 16 images released by the DOJ that have since been deleted. In a statement, the DOJ indicated that the public should notify them via email if any files they believe should not have been posted are discovered.
The department explained, “In view of the Congressional deadline, all reasonable efforts have been made to review and redact personal information pertaining to victims, other private individuals, and protect sensitive materials from disclosure.” They also acknowledged that, due to the volume of information, some identifiable content may have inadvertently been included in the release.
Following increasing political pressure and public demand for transparency, the DOJ made some classified files, photographs, and documents related to Epstein public after the passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act. This new federal law mandated the release of a wide array of investigative records connected to the convicted sex offender.
Members of the committee, including Representatives Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie, expressed their dissatisfaction with the limited nature of the release and the extensive redactions present in the documents. Khanna criticized the DOJ’s failure to comply with the law, stating, “The DOJ’s document dump of hundreds of thousands of pages failed to comply with the law authored by @RepThomasMassie and me.” In a video shared online, he highlighted that a document containing 119 pages of Grand Jury testimony was fully redacted.
He further remarked that the DOJ had not provided any explanations regarding the substantial redactions, noting the absence of a draft indictment that could implicate other powerful individuals connected to Epstein’s activities. “We have not seen the draft indictment that implicates other rich and powerful men who were on Epstein’s island, who either watched the abuse of young girls or participated in the abuse,” Khanna stated.
Khanna also addressed Pam Bondi, the Attorney General, who previously claimed that there were “no more documents to be seen,” yet later released additional files. He characterized the recent release as “incomplete” and filled with excessive redactions. Khanna and Massie are exploring various options to compel the DOJ to provide full access to the remaining files.
Massie echoed Khanna’s sentiments, stating, “Unfortunately, today’s document release by @AGPamBondi and @DAGToddBlanche grossly fails to comply with both the spirit and the letter of the law that @realDonaldTrump signed just 30 days ago.” He emphasized the potential for future repercussions against current officials due to the law’s enduring relevance.
As the investigation continues, the House Oversight Committee remains focused on ensuring transparency and accountability regarding the handling of documents related to Epstein and his associates. The ongoing public interest in this case underscores the demand for clarity in matters involving high-profile figures and their connections to serious allegations.
