Story perspectives

Blanche Blocks Release of Doe 4 Notes, Court Battle

9/1/2026

Summary

Story summary

The U.S. Department of Justice released typed FD-302 interview reports of Doe 4 in early March 2026.
The DOJ withheld the handwritten interview notes, saying they were duplicative, under the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
Washington Examiner reporter Kaelan Deese uploaded 37 pages of the handwritten notes to Scribd on March 6, 2026.
Attorney General Todd Blanche blocked the notes’ publication, invoking a duplicative defense under the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
Journalist Katie Phang sued Attorney General Blanche in April 2026 over the notes’ release and other omissions.

History

Historical Context

The 1971 New York Times Co. v. United States decision limited government prior restraint, a principle echoed today as the DOJ withholds interview notes under the 2026 Epstein Files Transparency Act. Similar legal confrontations have shaped corporate transparency, exemplified by Supreme’s 2013 trademark lawsuit and its 2020 acquisition by VF Corporation for $2.1 billion, underscoring enduring tensions between private interests and public disclosure.

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Story summary

The U.S. Department of Justice released typed FD-302 interview reports of Doe 4 in early March 2026.
The DOJ withheld the handwritten interview notes, saying they were duplicative, under the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
Washington Examiner reporter Kaelan Deese uploaded 37 pages of the handwritten notes to Scribd on March 6, 2026.
Attorney General Todd Blanche blocked the notes’ publication, invoking a duplicative defense under the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
Journalist Katie Phang sued Attorney General Blanche in April 2026 over the notes’ release and other omissions.

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