- The US Department of Justice has removed the photos from Epstein files.
- The photos will be republished after the necessary adjustments have been made.
- The photographs contained footage, including images of persons requiring protection.
- The review of the files to protect the names of the victims is still ongoing.
The U.S. Department of Justice’s decision to remove more than a dozen photos on Saturday, which were published the day before as part of the files from the investigation of the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, has nothing to do with President Donald Trump and was made at the request of organizations helping victims. Deputy Minister Todd Blanche told NBC News on Sunday.
Blanche stated on Meet the Press that the deleted unedited photos were of women and will be released again after the Justice Department investigates whether further editing is necessary. He did not specify when that would happen.
NBC News has learned that 15 photos have been removed from the Justice Department’s website. One featured a shot of a table with framed photographs of Epstein with celebrities. In an open drawer, printed photos of Trump with women in swimsuits could be seen.
“We don’t have all the information. If victims’ rights groups bring such photos to our attention, we will take them down and investigate. We will post the photo again, the only question is whether it will be blacked out.” said Blanche.
He also responded to criticism from Democrats for not releasing the full files on Epstein on Friday, as required by a law passed by both houses of Congress in November. According to Blanche, the delay is because the photos and names of Epstein’s victims have to be redacted.
“The reason we’re still reviewing the documents is to protect the victims,” Blanche said. Hundreds of lawyers scrutinize each document and ensure that the names of the victims and any information about them are not made public, as required by the said law, he added.
