Several documents linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein disappeared from the US Justice Department’s public website within hours of being released. At least 16 files went missing less than a day after they became available online, raising serious questions about transparency and accountability.
The department offered no public notice or explanation for the sudden removal. Officials also did not respond to queries seeking clarification. The unexplained move triggered criticism from Democratic lawmakers and renewed public scrutiny of how Epstein-related material is being handled.
Photos from the Epstein Files Removed
One of the missing files contained a photograph showing President Donald Trump alongside Jeffrey Epstein, Melania Trump, and Ghislaine Maxwell. The image was part of a collection that briefly appeared online before vanishing.
Other removed files included images of paintings depicting nude women and photographs found inside drawers and placed along a credenza. All these files were visible on Friday but were no longer accessible by Saturday.
The lack of clarity around why these specific records were pulled has fuelled speculation and political backlash.
Epstein Files Release: Why Trump’s Absence from Documents Is Notable
The document release included thousands of pages tied to Epstein’s activities and investigations. Many records named powerful figures from politics, business, and entertainment. Former President Bill Clinton appeared multiple times in the written material.
Trump’s name, however, did not appear in the documents, despite his past social association with Epstein. This absence stood out because earlier Epstein-related releases had mentioned Trump, including flight records from Epstein’s private plane disclosed earlier this year.
Trump has not been accused of wrongdoing and has denied knowledge of Epstein’s crimes.
Heavy Redactions Draw Anger
The Justice Department said it released only a partial set of documents, citing the need to protect victims and the time required to review sensitive material. Many files were heavily redacted. Some documents spanning over 100 pages appeared almost entirely blacked out.
This approach angered victims and advocates who expected greater transparency.
“All of us are infuriated by this. It’s another slap in the face. We expected way more,” Lacerda told MS NOW.
Celebrities Appear in Images Without Context
The released photos included images of well-known public figures from different fields. These photos were largely undated and provided without explanation. None of the individuals shown has been accused of crimes linked to Epstein.
One image showed Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor lying across the laps of several women. The former Duke of York, who lost his royal titles due to his Epstein ties, has denied any wrongdoing.
A 1996 complaint accusing Epstein of involvement in “child pornography” also appeared in the latest release. This complaint predated formal investigations into his crimes by many years.
Lawmakers Demand Answers
The removal of files has intensified demands from lawmakers for a full and honest disclosure. The Trump administration is attempting to comply with a law passed overwhelmingly by Congress that mandates the release of all Epstein-related records.
The Justice Department said it continues to review hundreds of thousands of additional pages for possible release. However, the sudden disappearance of files has raised doubts about whether the public will see the complete record.