DOJ Refuses Additional Unredacted Epstein Files Amid Transparency Lawsuit

On Thursday, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche told District Judge Emmet Sullivan the DOJ would not release unredacted records from its Jeffrey Epstein investigation. Decision came at the deadline to strip redactions from documents or explain why it could not. Withheld files include eight emails about a “torture video,” sexual activity with minors, and an interview alleging abuse by former President Donald Trump.

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The suit invokes the Epstein Files Transparency Act (EFTA), which obliges the DOJ to make investigative files public. Journalist Katie Phang alleges the department’s redactions breach the law, prompting criticism of the administration’s handling.

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• DOJ reviewed over 6 million documents under the EFTA.

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• Redactions cover at least twelve files, including eight emails.

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• Department cannot locate an unredacted draft indictment from the Southern District of Florida; handwritten FBI notes are “technically limited” for de-identification.

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DOJ says it has “adequately complied with the law” and that additional release would breach EFTA exemptions protecting victim privacy and ongoing investigations. It offered disclosure in closed-door proceedings and asked for a 60-day extension for solicitor general to consider an appeal. Department stresses redactions are required when victim identifiers appear, even if victims later engaged in wrongdoing.

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Phang’s lawsuit claims the DOJ’s reliance on EFTA exemptions withholds records the law requires to be public. Lawmakers from parties have voiced “strong bipartisan backlash,” saying the administration’s handling undermines public’s right to transparency.

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DOJ says it “has not been able to locate an unredacted version” of the draft indictment and cites “technical limitations” for handwritten FBI notes. Phang’s complaint asserts the documents exist and are being withheld, creating a dispute over their availability.

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The filing seeks a 60-day extension for solicitor general to evaluate an appeal. DOJ has offered closed-door disclosure. Court’s ruling on the extension will decide whether additional unredacted Epstein files become public.

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• “devoted incredible time and resources” — Todd Blanche, Acting Attorney General

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• “As will become apparent, it would contravene the settled application of the EFTA for the Department to produce unredacted versions of many of the records at issue, and nothing requires that result,” — Stanley Woodward, Associate Attorney General

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• “One of the complicating aspects of administering the EFTA is that many communications written by victims, without context, can appear disturbing on their face,” — Stanley Woodward

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• “Consistent with that statutory authority, the Department has sought to prevent victim PII from becoming public even in instances where the victims eventually became complicit or engaged in reprehensible activity or communications.” — Stanley Woodward

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