DOJ forced into Epstein files U-turn after Trump photos vanish and Pam Bondi is warned she faces charges

DOJ Reverses Course on Epstein Files After Photos of President Trump Temporarily Vanish, Sparking Cover-Up Allegations

Washington, D.C. — December 21, 2025

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has restored several images, including one showing photographs of President Donald Trump, to its public release of Jeffrey Epstein-related files after they mysteriously disappeared over the weekend, amid fierce bipartisan criticism and threats of legal action against Attorney General Pam Bondi.

The controversy erupted following the DOJ's initial release on Friday of thousands of pages of documents, photographs, and investigative materials tied to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The disclosure was mandated by the Epstein Files Transparency Act, a bipartisan law signed by President Trump last month that required the full release of unclassified records by December 19.

Among the files briefly removed from the DOJ's online portal on Saturday was an image of an open drawer in Epstein's New York mansion containing printed photos, including a well-known 2000 picture of Trump with his then-fiancée Melania Knauss, Epstein, and Ghislaine Maxwell. At least 13 to 16 other files, many depicting artwork or interiors from Epstein's properties, also vanished without immediate explanation.

Democrats on the House Oversight Committee quickly highlighted the missing Trump photo on social media, questioning Bondi directly: "What else is being covered up? We need transparency for the American public." Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called the incident potentially "one of the biggest cover-ups in American history."

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche addressed the removals on Sunday, attributing them to concerns raised by victims' rights groups and prosecutors in the Southern District of New York over potential depictions of victims. Blanche emphasized that the DOJ does not believe any victims appear in the Trump-related image and rejected accusations of political motivation as "laughable," noting that photos of Trump with Epstein have been public for years. He assured that all mentions and images of the president would be released as required by law.

The DOJ subsequently reposted the files, marking a rapid U-turn that has done little to quell the backlash.Lawmakers from both parties, including the bill's co-sponsors Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) and Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), slammed the initial release as incomplete, heavily redacted, and non-compliant with the law's strict timeline and limited redaction allowances. Massie, appearing on CBS's Face the Nation, described pursuing "inherent contempt" charges against Bondi as the "most expeditious way to get justice for these victims," potentially involving daily fines. Khanna echoed the sentiment, stating the pair is building a bipartisan coalition and exploring impeachment if obstructions continue.

The released materials include numerous photographs from Epstein's homes—some showing celebrities like Bill Clinton, Michael Jackson, and Mick Jagger—but offer few new revelations, with extensive redactions to protect victim identities. President Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing in his past social ties to Epstein, which he says ended decades ago.

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