Trump photo, 16 documents vanish from US Justice Department webpage linked to Epstein files

New York: At least 16 documents, including a photograph featuring former US President Donald Trump, have reportedly disappeared from a public webpage of the US Department of Justice that hosted records linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The sudden removal of the documents has triggered widespread speculation and political controversy. The documents, which were accessible as recently as Friday, were no longer available on the Justice Department’s website by Saturday.

Among the missing materials was a photograph showing Donald Trump alongside Jeffrey Epstein, former First Lady Melania Trump, and Epstein’s long-time associate Ghislaine Maxwell.

The Justice Department has not provided any official explanation for why the documents were removed or whether the move was intentional. Attempts to seek clarification from department spokespersons have so far yielded no response, further fuelling suspicion and debate.

The disappearance of the records has sparked intense discussion on social media platforms, with critics questioning transparency and accountability. Democratic members of the US House Oversight Committee reacted strongly on X (formerly Twitter), referring specifically to the missing Trump photograph. “What else is being hidden? The American people deserve transparency,” one post read.

The development comes amid renewed global attention on the so-called “Epstein files”, a vast collection of documents unsealed following a court order. These files have reignited scrutiny of Epstein’s connections with influential figures from politics, business and royalty across the world.

Jeffrey Epstein, a billionaire financier and convicted sex offender, was at the centre of a large-scale sex trafficking network allegedly operated with the help of Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently serving a prison sentence.

The documents made public run into thousands of pages and are part of evidence collected during proceedings related to a 2015 defamation lawsuit, rather than a single criminal trial.

While the files mention both Donald Trump and former US President Bill Clinton, they do not contain direct evidence or victim testimony accusing Trump of illegal acts, sexual abuse, or involvement with minors on Epstein’s private island. Witnesses have stated that Trump did not travel on Epstein’s aircraft.

In contrast, records indicate that Bill Clinton had closer associations with Epstein and had travelled on his private plane. However, even in Clinton’s case, the specific documents released so far do not conclusively establish direct sexual misconduct.

The unexplained removal of documents from an official Justice Department platform has intensified calls for clarity. Legal experts and lawmakers have stressed that any alteration or withdrawal of public records, especially in a matter of such sensitivity, must be accompanied by clear justification to maintain public trust.

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