US Judge Orders Justice Department to Unredact Jeffrey Epstein Files

A U.S. district judge directed the Justice Department on Thursday to release unredacted files concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, ordering the government to either remove blacked-out sections or formally justify their concealment.

U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan issued the order following a lawsuit against Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche.

The suit accused the government of improperly obscuring documents mandated for public release.

The Justice Department has until July 2 to comply.

Disputed Documents

The contested records include eight emails in which the sender or recipient is obscured.

They also include a draft indictment of Epstein, with the names of potential co-conspirators hidden.

A separate 2019 email referencing redacted co-conspirators falls directly under the ruling.

Sullivan also ordered the release of FBI interview notes detailing unverified allegations against President Trump.

If the department refuses, it must officially explain the legal basis for withholding the notes.

Additionally, the court mandated the release of a comprehensive log detailing every redaction made to published Epstein files, as required by law.

Legal Standoff

The ruling stems from an April lawsuit filed by independent journalist Katie Phang.

Phang argued the ongoing redactions represent a direct violation of federal law governing the release of Epstein-related materials.

The Justice Department attempted to dismiss the suit, claiming Phang should rely on Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.

Phang's legal team countered by highlighting prior denials of FOIA requests related to Epstein.

In a 48-page opinion, Sullivan ruled that Phang possessed the standing to sue and that FOIA did not provide an adequate remedy.

He noted that the government essentially conceded the merits of the case by failing to meet a mandated response deadline.

Sullivan subsequently denied a Justice Department request to delay the order for seven days while it weighed an appeal.

Ongoing Secrecy

The Justice Department maintains that redactions are required to protect personal information and victim identities.

Officials previously stated that only half of the 6 million pages of documents collected from Epstein would be released, citing duplication, irrelevance, or legal privilege.

A specific redacted email referencing a "torture video" previously drew scrutiny from Representatives Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie.

Blanche later suggested on social media that the recipient of that email was Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, former CEO of the Dubai-based firm DP World.

Phang's attorney, Brendan Ballou, accused the government of ignoring its own laws to protect wealthy individuals.

A Justice Department spokesperson confirmed plans to appeal the decision.

The spokesperson called Sullivan's interpretation "perverse," arguing the order effectively demands the illegal unmasking of victims who subsequently became co-conspirators.