A newly released congressional transcript reveals that former Attorney General Pam Bondi provided a different explanation from the Justice Department's public account regarding the temporary removal of a photograph showing Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick with Jeffrey Epstein on Epstein's private island, Little Saint James.

During a closed-door interview with the House Oversight Committee on May 29, Bondi stated that Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche or members of his staff believed the image might have been generated by artificial intelligence and therefore questioned its authenticity.According to Bondi, the photograph was removed but later restored after officials confirmed that it genuinely depicted Lutnick and his family.The explanation differs from the one previously given by the Justice Department to reporters.

DOJ spokesperson Natalie Baldassarre had said the image was removed during a routine review of files flagged for nudity, despite the photograph containing no nudity.The image was restored shortly after CBS News reported on its disappearance.

The photograph, originally released on January 31 under the Epstein Files Transparency Act records, shows Lutnick and Epstein standing together near an oceanside cliff alongside three other men.CBS News later authenticated the image.Bondi told lawmakers she had no knowledge that the photograph was removed for political reasons.Nevertheless, the incident sparked criticism from members of Congress.

Representative Thomas Massie called for the Justice Department to identify who ordered the removal, while Representative Ted Lieu publicly accused officials of attempting to conceal the image.

Lutnick has acknowledged visiting Epstein's island but testified that the trip was a brief stop during a family vacation involving his wife, children, and caregivers.House Oversight Committee Democrats have since questioned his credibility and called for his resignation.