The image, which shows a printed photograph of Donald Trump in Jeffrey Epstein’s possession, was initially uploaded as part of the thousands of files released by the DOJ on Friday, but was immediately taken down, sparking fierce online criticism of a “cover-up”. An image showing printed photos found in convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein’s possession, including one showing Donald Trump (below left).(X/@OversightDems) Under heavy fire over an alleged ‘cover-up’ of files linked to convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) on Sunday found a photo of Donald Trump’s possessions, re-uploading the defaced possession. The DOJ said in a social media post that the photo was pulled from the site out of an “out of caution,” adding that it was re-uploaded after a review found it contained no evidence of Epstein victims depicted in the photo. “The Southern District of New York has flagged an image of President Trump for possible further action to protect victims,” ​​the US Department of Justice said. “Out of an abundance of caution, the Department of Justice has temporarily removed the image pending further review. After the review, it was determined there was no evidence that any Epstein victims were depicted in the photo, and it was reposted without any change or redaction,” it added. However, netizens were not amused. “Sorry we got caught,” one user wrote on X, while another added: “The taxpayers who pay your salaries demand complete transparency from our government. The more you try to hide the perpetrators of these heinous acts, the more you expose your bias. Justice is meant to be blind, not partisan.” Another user wrote: “I don’t know what’s more worrying, that attempt at corruption, or the incompetence to carry it out.” The image in question shows a desk with printed photographs recovered from Epstein’s possession. Among the printed photos was one that showed the current US president and Melania Trump with the disgraced financier and Ghislaine Maxwell. An Alleged Cover-Up The image was initially uploaded as part of the thousands of files released by the DOJ on Friday, but was immediately removed, sparking fierce online criticism of a ‘cover-up’. Even as netizens raged over the removal of the photo—file 468 of the latest release—Democrats on the House Oversight Committee joined the chorus, asking Attorney General Pam Bondi, “What else is being covered up? We need transparency for the American public.” However, the removal of the Trump photo was not the only point of contention, with reports over the weekend claiming that as many as 15 to 16 files were pulled from the DOJ website shortly after the latest release of the Epstein files. As pressure mounted on the DOJ, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the department on Sunday, saying the removals had nothing to do with Trump and were carried out to protect the identities of Epstein’s victims at the behest of victim advocacy groups. “You can see in that photo there are photos of women. And so we learned after we released that photo that there was concern about those women and the fact that we put that photo up. So we took that photo down. It has nothing to do with President Trump,” Blanche, who has become the DOJ’s face for questions about the Epstein files, told NBC on Sunday during his “Meet the Press” program. However, it wasn’t just the removal of this one photo that sparked the ire of Americans: The newly released batch of Epstein files have been heavily redacted, including one fully redacted 119-page Grand Jury document, which critics say goes against the nature of full disclosure mandated by the recently passed Epstein Files Transparency Act. “Most transparent administrator in history? These editorials are an absolute mockery of the survivors of Epstein’s abuse and the American people,” wrote Pennsylvania representative Summer Lee, echoing the sentiments of many. In response, the DOJ on Sunday also released a version of the previously censored 119-page Grand Jury document with “minor redactions,” saying, “Documents and photos will continue to be reviewed in accordance with the law and with an abundance of caution for victims and their families.” Get latest real-time updates Stay updated with latest trends, India, world and US news. Business NewsNewsUs NewsEpstein Files: Trump Photo Reuploaded Amid Outrage; DOJ explains reason for removal – what it said More