A federal judge in Washington, D.C., ordered the Department of Justice (DOJ) on June 26, 2026, to unredact additional pages of the Epstein files within one week or provide an explanation for non-compliance. U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan issued a preliminary injunction requiring acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act by July 2. If the DOJ does not comply, Blanche must justify the decision not to follow the federal law.
The judge's order includes the removal of redactions concerning Jeffrey Epstein's potential co-conspirators in email exchanges related to a 'torture video' and sexual activities involving minors. It was revealed that Epstein had emailed Emirati businessman Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem in 2009, expressing his approval of the 'torture video.'
Additionally, Sullivan instructed the DOJ to provide FBI documents, particularly interviews with a woman who alleged abuse by President Donald Trump when she was 13 years old in the 1980s. Trump and Epstein were acquaintances during that period but later had a falling-out. Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing associated with Epstein.
In his ruling, Judge Sullivan rejected the federal government's request for a stay, deeming the arguments presented by the acting attorney general as 'unpersuasive.' Attorney and journalist Katie Phang initiated the lawsuit against Blanche in April to enforce the release of unredacted information from the Epstein files.
Phang stated that she has the standing to compel compliance with the court's order, which requires Blanche to act by July 2. Her legal counsel expressed satisfaction with the ruling, emphasizing the need for transparency regarding Epstein and his network. Approximately 3.5 million pages of the Epstein files have been released to date, although many more pages remain withheld by the DOJ under various legal privileges, including victims' privacy. This withholding has drawn criticism from certain lawmakers, including Reps. Thomas Massie (R-KY) and Ro Khanna (D-CA), who were instrumental in the legislation mandating disclosure. Trump signed this measure into law last fall.