DOJ Epstein documents: at least 16 files vanish from public webpage as review continues

NEW YORK — At least 16 files on the Justice Department's public page of Jeffrey Epstein documents disappeared less than 24 hours after they were posted, according to the Associated Press. The department did not immediately explain the removals, and there was no public notice about the changes. The episode arrives as the long-awaited release of Epstein-related records has drawn scrutiny over what was included and what was left out.

Among the missing items were images of paintings depicting nude women, and a photo arrangement showing a series of photographs in a credenza and drawers that included a portrait of President Donald Trump alongside Epstein, Melania Trump and Epstein’s longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell. The Trump image, described in some government descriptions as file 468, was among the materials later removed. The Justice Department did not respond to questions Saturday about why the files disappeared, but said in a post on X that “photos and other materials will continue being reviewed and redacted consistent with the law in an abundance of caution as we receive additional information.”

Online, the unexplained missing files fueled speculation about what was taken down and why the public was not notified, compounding long-standing intrigue about Epstein and the powerful figures who surrounded him. Democrats on the House Oversight Committee pointed to the missing image featuring a Trump photo in a post on X, asking, “What else is being covered up? We need transparency for the American public.” The episode deepened concerns that had already emerged from the Justice Department’s much-anticipated document release.

The initial disclosures offered scant new insight. The tens of thousands of pages released included many photographs and materials from Epstein’s homes in New York City and the U.S. Virgin Islands, with some images of celebrities and politicians. But several crucial records were missing or heavily redacted, including FBI interviews with survivors and internal Justice Department memos examining charging decisions. The release did not reference, for example, several powerful figures long linked to Epstein, including Britain’s Prince Andrew, fueling questions about how thoroughly the government examined the case and what was considered for federal action.

Among the fresh details were insights into why federal investigators did not pursue Epstein in the 2000s, a decision that allowed him to plead guilty in a state case in 2008 to a relatively minor prostitution-related charge. The documents also included a previously unseen 1996 complaint accusing Epstein of stealing photographs of children. While the releases added context in places, many records were either blacked out or lacked framing that would help readers understand their significance. Transcripts of grand jury proceedings were released, including testimony from FBI agents describing interviews with several girls and young women who said they were paid to perform sexual acts for Epstein. In one account, a witness described being told to lie about her age.

Officials also released a transcript of an interview with the U.S. attorney who oversaw the case, concerning why the federal government ultimately chose not to file charges. The attorney, who later served as labor secretary, argued that juror skepticism about survivors’ accounts was a factor, a point critics say highlights ongoing debates about how prosecutors assess victims and evidence. He also suggested that public opinions on victim credibility have shifted over time.

Jennifer Freeman, an attorney representing Epstein accuser Maria Farmer and other survivors, said the updated disclosures offered a mix of vindication and frustration. “It’s a triumph and a tragedy,” she said. “If they had investigated in the smallest way, they could have stopped him.”

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