The Justice Department has reinstated a photograph featuring President Donald Trump to the Epstein files website following backlash over its decision to remove several images from the trove of files released over the weekend.

The showed a desk with multiple framed photographs and an open drawer holding more photos and photo albums. One of the photos includes Trump alongside convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, his longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell and Melania Trump. The DOJ released the on Friday and Saturday after a monthslong bipartisan push and a congressional mandate for the full release of the files. But the image appeared to have been taken down from the website on Saturday, prompting accusations of an attempted cover-up from Democrats and others.

The Justice Department said file “EFTA00000468,” along with at least 14 other files, were temporarily pulled from the public release while the agency assessed whether further redactions were necessary.

“The Southern District of New York flagged an image of President Trump for potential further action to protect victims. Out of an abundance of caution, the Department of Justice temporarily removed the image for further review,” the DOJ said in a on X. “After the review, it was determined there is no evidence that any Epstein victims are depicted in the photograph, and it has been reposted without any alteration or redaction.”

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, who previously represented Trump in the criminal case against him in New York City last year—resulting in Trump’s conviction on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records—defended the move in an interview with on Sunday.

“There were a number of photographs that were taken down after being released on Friday,” Blanche said. “That’s because a judge in New York has ordered us to listen to any victim or victim rights group if they have concerns about the material we’re posting.”

DOJ criticized over removal of files, redactions

The Justice Department partially released the files on Friday after Blanche told Congress that the department . Congress had mandated the full release by Dec. 19 under the , which Trump signed into law after initially urging Republicans to resist releasing the files.

Blanche said the department needed more time to redact files to prevent victims from being identified. He noted the department had identified over 1,200 victims or their relatives whose information required redaction. The Justice Department has also said it would redact materials depicting child sexual abuse and physical abuse, records that “would jeopardize an active federal investigation,” and classified documents related to “national defense or foreign policy.”

But the of the files and heavy redactions have drawn criticism from lawmakers and Epstein survivors.

More than 500 pages of documents in Friday’s initial release were . The DOJ said a 119-page grand jury document—fully redacted in Friday’s release—was released with “minimal redactions” on Saturday. “Documents and photos will continue to be reviewed consistent with the law and with an abundance of caution for victims and their families,” the DOJ .

“In plain sight, even with an act of Congress, we’re seeing the exact same delays, negligence, corruption, incompetence we’ve consistently seen and advocated against,” Jess Michaels, an Epstein survivor, said on MS Now.

“We just want all evidence of these crimes made public,” one survivor, Liz Stein, told the . “We’re a little disappointed they’re still dragging things out and distracting us with other matters,” another, Marina Lacerda, said. A third survivor told the DOJ in a that the department had failed to redact her name.

Observers accused the Trump Administration of redacting non-victims’ names—including politicians—a claim the DOJ . Rep. Jamie Raskin (D, Md.) told the redactions make no sense and accused the Administration of “covering up things Donald Trump doesn’t want public, for whatever reason.”

Reps. Ro Khanna (D, Calif.) and Thomas Massie (R, Ky.) said on Sunday they would seek to hold Attorney General Pam Bondi in contempt of Congress for failing to fully release all files.

“The quickest, most expeditious way to get justice for these victims is to bring inherent contempt against Pam Bondi,” Massie told . Khanna told the that among unreleased records—part of the department’s “selective concealment”—is a draft 60-count federal indictment of Epstein and the accompanying 2007 prosecution memo, the year before Epstein pleaded guilty to soliciting prostitution (including one charge involving a minor).

After 15 files disappeared from the “Epstein Library” on Saturday, Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats , “What else is being covered up? We need transparency for the American public.”

Blanche said on Sunday the DOJ removed the photo after learning of “concerns” about unredacted photos of women in the image. “It has nothing to do with President Trump,” he said.

“If President Trump is mentioned or if we have photographs of him or anyone else, they will of course be released—except for any victims or survivors we’ve identified,” Blanche told NBC.