DOJ defends removing Trump photo from Epstein files [View all]

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: msn/Axios

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A photo of President Trump along with a batch of other files was removed from the Justice Department's newly released tranche of thousands of Jeffrey Epstein-related documents, images and recordings.

The big picture: The vanishing files are fueling accusations that Trump's DOJ is selectively withholding information, raising questions about compliance with Congress' disclosure law and setting up a potential legal and political showdown.

Republican Rep. "Thomas Massie and I are exploring all options," Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) said in a Friday video posted to X. "It can be the impeachment of people at Justice, inherent contempt or referring for prosecution those who are obstructing justice."

Driving the news: The Associated Press, CBS and other outlets reported that more than a dozen files that were previously available in the documents released Friday were no longer accessible Saturday.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said on "Meet the Press" Sunday that speculation that a photo was removed because Trump was in it was "laughable."

He told NBC's Kristen Welker that the DOJ removed the photo because of the women who were also included in it.

"It has nothing to do with President Trump," he said.

Zoom in: The New York Times and the Associated Press both reported that 16 files were gone Saturday, while CBS News said at least 15 were missing.

One missing image showed a desk covered in photos — including, reports said, pictures of Clinton and Trump. In one, Trump is seen with his wife, Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. In another, NBC reported, Trump is pictured with women, including at least one in a bikini.

Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/doj-defends-removing-trump-photo-from-epstein-files/ar-AA1SM32B