Trump’s Worst Nightmare Drops Bombshell After Epstein Files Were Scrubbed from DOJ Website: ‘We Downloaded Everything, He Can Run But Cannot Hide’

A former Obama-era White House ethics lawyer and frequent Trump antagonist has issued a strong warning to President Donald Trump following reports that key files from the Jeffrey Epstein trove—including a photo featuring Trump—disappeared from the Justice Department’s public website less than a day after their release.

Norm Eisen, who has successfully challenged Trump in court on multiple fronts, declared on Saturday that he and others had downloaded the materials, ensuring they remain accessible despite the unexplained removal.

The incident, first highlighted by MSNBC executive producer Kyle Griffin and detailed in an Associated Press report, has fueled suspicions of tampering or censorship amid ongoing scrutiny of the Trump administration’s handling of the Epstein disclosures. With the files mandated for release under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, their sudden disappearance raises serious questions about transparency and potential efforts to shield high-profile figures.

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The Vanishing Files – What Went Missing

According to the AP, at least 16 documents vanished from the DOJ’s dedicated Epstein webpage between Friday and Saturday, with no explanation provided by the government and no public notice.

The missing files included images of paintings depicting nude women and a particularly notable photograph showing a series of pictures on a credenza and in drawers.

In that image, inside a drawer among other photos, was a snapshot of Trump alongside Epstein, Melania Trump, and Epstein’s longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell. Maxwell, convicted in 2021 on sex-trafficking charges tied to Epstein’s network, is serving a 20-year sentence.

The removal occurred shortly after the files’ initial posting, part of a broader tranche released under court order. The DOJ has not responded to inquiries about the disappearance, leaving observers to speculate on technical glitches, administrative errors—or deliberate intervention.

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Eisen’s Defiant Response – ‘Trump Can Run But He Cannot Hide’

Norm Eisen, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and former special counsel for ethics under President Obama, wasted no time in addressing the report. On X, he wrote: “We downloaded everything…. Trump can run but he cannot hide…”

We downloaded everything…. Trump can run but he cannot hide… https://t.co/RXY98rQmBT

— Norm Eisen (@NormEisen) December 20, 2025

Eisen’s statement carries weight given his history as a persistent legal adversary to Trump. He played key roles in the emoluments clause lawsuits against Trump’s businesses during his first term, which alleged unconstitutional foreign payments.

Eisen also contributed to the House Democrats’ impeachment efforts in 2019 and 2021, and has authored books critiquing Trump’s ethics and governance.

His access to the files and vow to preserve them—signals that independent watchdogs may fill any gaps left by official redactions or removals, potentially complicating the administration’s narrative control.

The Epstein documents stem from a years-long effort to unseal materials related to the late financier’s trafficking operations, which implicated numerous high-profile figures. Epstein died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial; Maxwell’s conviction followed in 2021.

The Transparency Act, signed by Trump in November, mandated phased releases, but the administration has faced accusations of foot-dragging and selective withholding—particularly around “active investigations.” Recent batches have included photos of Trump with Epstein and others, though none depict misconduct.

The sudden disappearance of files adds fuel to conspiracy theories and demands for accountability. Democrats have called for probes into potential tampering, while Republicans dismiss concerns as overblown.

Trump has long denied wrongdoing in relation to Epstein, calling him a “fixture in Palm Beach” but insisting they fell out years before Epstein’s arrest. Melania Trump has not commented on the photo or related matters.

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Eisen’s intervention highlights the role of civil society in preserving public records amid perceived governmental opacity. With digital archiving tools, files like these can spread rapidly, undermining any attempts at suppression.

The episode comes as Trump moves through midterm pressures, with Republicans defending narrow congressional majorities. Epstein’s shadow—tied to Trump’s past associations could alienate independents if further revelations emerge.

The DOJ had not restored the missing files or issued a statement as of Saturday evening. Eisen’s message, however, ensures the conversation continues: In the digital age, what vanishes from official sites may live on elsewhere, ready for scrutiny when least convenient.