The DOJ Defended Keeping More Epstein Files Secret. Officials Say Victim Privacy Comes First.
The DOJ Defended Keeping More Epstein Files Secret. Officials Say Victim Privacy Comes First.
Publish Date: 2026-07-03 13:59:00
Source Domain: www.ibtimes.com
The Justice Department has asked a federal judge not to require the release of additional unredacted records from its investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, arguing that existing redactions are permitted under federal law and are necessary to protect victims and sensitive investigative information.
The filing was submitted shortly before a court-imposed deadline requiring the department to either produce additional records or explain why it could not. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, through Justice Department attorneys, told U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan that officials had already devoted extensive resources to reviewing more than 6 million records under the Epstein Files Transparency Act and had complied with the law.
In the filing, Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward said releasing many of the remaining records without redactions “would contravene the settled application” of the transparency law. He argued that the statute specifically allows the department to withhold information that could identify victims, compromise investigations or reveal other protected material, The Hill reported.
The court order stemmed from a lawsuit filed by attorney and independent journalist Katie Phang, who argues the Justice Department violated the transparency law by withholding records and applying overly broad redactions. Last week, Sullivan directed the department to release additional documents or justify why they remained concealed after concluding the government had not fully addressed the substance of Phang’s legal claims, USA Today reported.
Among the records at issue are email exchanges involving Epstein discussing what court filings describe as a “torture video” and sexual activity involving young women, including minors. The lawsuit also seeks FBI interview materials connected to a woman who alleged she was abused by President Donald Trump as a minor. Trump has denied the allegation, and ABC News reported the claims remain…
