BOMBSHELL: Justice Department Removes 16 Files from Jeffrey Epstein Case, Including Photo of Donald Trump – Fueling Fears of a Massive Cover-Up
- The US Department of Justice has sparked outrage by deleting 16 files from its website, including a photo of Donald Trump with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
- The mysterious removals have fueled speculation about what was taken down and why, with Democrats demanding transparency and calling for a full investigation.
- The deleted files included images of paintings depicting nude women and a series of photographs along a credenza and in drawers, sparking concerns about what else may have been hidden.
The US Department of Justice has been accused of a massive cover-up after removing 16 files from its website, including a photo of Donald Trump with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The mysterious deletions have sparked widespread outrage and speculation about what was taken down and why.
The missing files, which were available on Friday but vanished by the next day, included images of paintings depicting nude women and a series of photographs along a credenza and in drawers. One of the deleted images showed a photograph of Mr Trump, alongside Epstein, Melania Trump, and Maxwell, in a drawer among other photos.
Democrats on the House Oversight Committee were quick to pounce on the deletions, writing on X: “What else is being covered up? We need transparency for the American public.” The episode has deepened concerns that had already emerged from the Justice Department’s much-anticipated document release.
The tens of thousands of pages made public offered little new insight into Epstein’s crimes or the prosecutorial decisions that allowed him to avoid serious federal charges for years. The records omitted some of the most closely watched materials, including FBI interviews with victims and internal Justice Department memos on charging decisions.
Epstein victim Jess Michaels expressed her outrage and disappointment at the deletions, saying she found no trace of her evidence in the vast trove published online. “I feel like again the DOJ, the justice system is failing us,” said Marina Lacerda, who alleges Epstein started sexually abusing her at his New York City mansion when she was 14.
The Justice Department has not explained why the files were removed or whether their disappearance was intentional. A spokesperson for the department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The deletions have sparked a heated debate about transparency and accountability, with many calling for a full investigation into the mysterious removals.
The Epstein files offer a glimpse into the financier’s vast network of wealthy and influential figures, including former president Bill Clinton and Mr Trump. Both have been associated with Epstein but have since disowned those friendships. Despite a Friday deadline set by Congress to make everything public, the Justice Department said it plans to release records on a rolling basis.
The department blamed the delay on the time-consuming process of obscuring survivors’ names and other identifying information. However, the approach has angered some Epstein accusers and members of Congress who fought to pass the law that forced the department to act.
Instead of marking the end of a years-long battle for transparency, the document release on Friday was merely the beginning of an indefinite wait for a complete picture of Epstein’s crimes and the steps taken to investigate them. The deletions have fueled fears of a massive cover-up, with many demanding answers and calling for a full investigation.