In a bombshell interview just days after the Justice Department’s chaotic Epstein photo release—where a key image showing Donald Trump’s framed picture on Epstein’s desk mysteriously vanished overnight only to be quietly restored amid backlash—former Southern District of New York prosecutor Sarah Krissoff unleashes scathing criticism: the Trump administration deliberately mishandled the rollout, citing flimsy “victim protection” excuses while selectively pulling files and dragging out a partial, heavily redacted dump that violated congressional mandates.T

Sarah Krissoff, a former assistant U.S. attorney in the Southern District of New York, has sharply criticized the Trump administration’s Department of Justice (DOJ) for its bungled handling of the December 2025 Epstein photo releases. In a Fox News interview on December 23, Krissoff argued that the DOJ possessed ample resources to release all mandated documents under the Epstein Files Transparency Act but opted for a piecemeal, heavily redacted approach that defies the law’s intent.

The act, signed by President Trump on November 19, required full disclosure by December 19, barring redactions for embarrassment or political sensitivity—only allowing them for victim protection or ongoing probes. Yet the DOJ’s initial drop included thousands of pages with excessive blackouts, followed by the mysterious removal of over a dozen photos on December 20, including one featuring Trump with Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The image vanished from the DOJ’s online “Epstein Library” overnight, sparking accusations of tampering.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche claimed removals stemmed from victim advocacy requests and Southern District prosecutors flagging potential exposures. A Trump photo was restored after review, but Krissoff dismissed this as inadequate. “The Epstein files fall outside the regular review process,” she said, noting the DOJ could have mobilized staff for comprehensive release. Instead, delays persisted, with a Christmas Eve announcement of “over a million” newly “uncovered” documents pushing full transparency into 2026.

Krissoff highlighted the DOJ’s defensive X posts downplaying Trump mentions as “untrue and sensationalist,” blurring neutral enforcement with political spin. Bipartisan lawmakers, including act sponsors Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie, echoed her concerns, threatening contempt. Victims’ advocates decried under-redactions risking survivor safety and over-redactions shielding elites.

The mishandling—selective drips, vanishing files, and resource excuses—undermines public trust, Krissoff argued. It transforms mandated accountability into controlled narrative, protecting power while Epstein’s network evades scrutiny. As more batches emerge amid outrage, her critique underscores a systemic failure: transparency promised, but selectively delivered.