Judge orders DOJ to release more Epstein files

A federal judge has ordered the Justice Department to release additional unredacted Jeffrey Epstein records or explain by July 2 why it cannot, escalating a court fight over how the department is handling Epstein-related disclosures.

U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan granted a preliminary injunction in favor of investigative journalist Katie Phang, according to reports from Axios and The Daily Beast. The ruling gives the DOJ a short deadline to either turn over more material or justify continued secrecy.

What the judge ordered

The order centers on records the court said were not properly disclosed. According to the reports, Sullivan said Phang alleges the DOJ redacted the names of senders and recipients in at least eight email exchanges tied to Epstein.

The disputed material reportedly includes references to a "torture video" and alleged sexual activity involving young women, including minors.

Sullivan also ordered the DOJ to produce a redaction log listing each redaction in files it has already published, The Daily Beast reported.

The legal fight

Phang’s lawsuit argues that the Justice Department failed to comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The DOJ countered that Phang should have filed a Freedom of Information Act request instead.

Phang’s lawyers said relevant FOIA requests had already been denied, according to Axios.

The case adds to broader scrutiny of how the Justice Department is handling Epstein-related records and what it has chosen to withhold.

What happens next

The immediate deadline is July 2, when the DOJ must either comply with the order or explain why it cannot.

After that, the court may review the department’s justification and any redaction log it submits. Further filings could clarify which documents will be released and which remain withheld.