US defies court order to unredact Epstein files
The Justice Department missed a judge's July 2 deadline to unseal names and emails, defended every redaction, and says it will appeal.
- Judge Emmet Sullivan ordered the records opened in journalist Katie Phang's suit under the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
- The department refused, defended every blackout in a court filing, and says it will appeal rather than comply.
- Among the sealed records: at least eight email exchanges about a "torture video" and sex with young women, including minors.
Why it mattersCongress wrote this law to force exactly these names open, barring secrecy for "embarrassment" or "political sensitivity," yet they stay hidden by the government sworn to release them.
Court order, Phang v. Blanche (… ↗ · 2h ago · ✓ Checked