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The Department of Justice was forced to make an embarrassing U-turn on its release of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein's sex crimes after a photo of President Donald Trump was removed from the files.
The missing photo depicted Trump alongside his wife Melania, Epstein, and the pedophile's longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
It was taken back in February 2000 at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate and was one of the only photos in which the president appeared in the documents, as federal agents raided Epstein's New York City townhouse
The picture is now once again included in the files following claims of a cover-up, the Department of Justice announced Sunday.
'The Southern District of New York flagged an image of President Trump for potential further action to protect victims,' the department explained on social media.
'Out of an abundance of caution, the Department of Justice temporarily removed the image for further review.
'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.'
Still, Representatives Ro Khanna, a Democrat from California, and Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, announced Sunday that they are speaking with their fellow members of Congress about holding Attorney General Pam Bondi in contempt.
They claimed that is the best way to hold the Justice Department accountable for its failure to release all eligible files related to Epstein's crimes by Friday's deadline.
'The quickest way, and I think the most expeditious way, to get justice for these victims is to brig inherent contempt against Pam Bondi, Massie said on CBS' Face the Nation on Sunday when he was asked how Congress could force the DOJ to release the rest of the files it has on the sex pest.
A photo depicting President Donald Trump with his wife Melania, Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell circa February 2000 was noticeably missing from the files the Department of Justice released on Friday
The only photos of Trump that appeared in the file was an image taken of Trump (bottom left-hand corner) in one of Epstein's drawers during the FBI raid on his townhouse in New York City
The Department of Justice claimed the photo was removed to ensure no victims were pictured
Khanna went even further in his remarks, warning of possible impeachment.
'Congress is talking about possible impeachment. They're talking about inherent contempt for the attorney general or deputy attorney general,' he told CNN on Friday.
'Any Justice Department official who has obstructed justice could face prosecution in this administration or a future administration,' the Democrat warned.
He also told NBC News that he and Massie are 'building a bipartisan coalition, and it would fine Pam Bondi for every day that she's not releasing these documents.
The two congressmen led efforts last month to pass the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which compelled the Trump administration to release all unclassified files it had on the late financier by December 19.
But it soon became clear that the files released on Friday were missing certain information, including the photo of Trump with Epstein, prompting some Democrats to accuse the White House of a cover-up.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer led the criticisms, alleging it 'could be one of the biggest cover ups in American history' as he demanded 'transparency for the American public.'
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
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