On 21/12, the US justice department announced it had reposted an image featuring former President Donald Trump in the Jeffrey Epstein files, after initially removing it. The Southern District of New York (SDNY) office had flagged the photo for review, considering the need for additional victim protection measures. Out of caution, the justice department removed the image for further scrutiny. After review, authorities determined there was no evidence of Jeffrey Epstein's victims appearing in the photo, leading to its unedited and unredacted reposting.

The US justice department did not specify which entity it referred to by "SDNY". This term can denote both the federal judicial district encompassing Manhattan, New York, and the US attorney's office within that district.

A photo featuring president trump was removed by the US justice department before being restored on 21/12. *Photo: US justice department*

The image, one of two featuring President Trump, was initially removed by the US justice department after being posted on its website on 19/12. One photo showed Trump standing with a group of women, while the other depicted him with his wife Melania, convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, and Epstein's accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell.

Democratic lawmakers questioned the photo's removal on 20/12. Members of the House Oversight Committee stated, "What else is being concealed? We need transparency for the American public." This political pressure contributed to the decision to repost the images.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche later explained the photo's removal was due to concerns about the women depicted. He clarified, "This had nothing to do with President Trump."

President Trump had a past friendship with Epstein, and they frequently attended parties together. However, Trump severed ties with Epstein years before the sex offender's arrest. Trump has not been accused of any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein.

Although President Trump initially opposed the release of the Epstein files, he eventually conceded to pressure from the US Congress, including Republican members, and signed the law authorizing the document's public disclosure.

The US justice department was mandated to release all investigation files related to Epstein by 19/12, as per the Epstein Records Transparency Act. This legislation permits the withholding or redaction of documents if their disclosure would jeopardize ongoing criminal investigations, threaten national security, or reveal victims' identities. All other content must be made public.

However, as of 19/12, not all documents have been released. Deputy Attorney General Blanche explained that the justice department identified over 1,200 victims of Epstein or their relatives and withheld materials that could reveal their identities.

*Huyen Le (According to CNBC, AP)*