The Justice Department told a federal judge Thursday that it will not release additional unredacted records from its investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, arguing it has already met its legal obligations under the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
In a filing submitted hours before a court-ordered deadline, the DOJ asked Judge Emmet Sullivan to accept its current level of compliance rather than force further disclosures. The department had been ordered to either remove redactions from at least a dozen documents or explain why it could not.
The records in question include email exchanges about a so-called “torture video” and sexual activity with minors, as well as interviews with a woman who claims former President Donald Trump abused her as a minor.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, through his legal team, asserted that the department has devoted “incredible time and resources” to reviewing over 6 million documents tied to the transparency law. Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward wrote in the filing that producing unredacted versions would “contravene the settled application of the EFTA.”
Woodward pointed to statutory exemptions that allow the DOJ to withhold records containing victims’ personal information or details that could compromise an ongoing federal investigation. He noted that some email senders and recipients were concealed because they included victim names or private email addresses.
“One of the complicating aspects of administering the EFTA is that many communications written by victims, without context, can appear disturbing on their face,” Woodward wrote. He added that the department has sought to protect victim PII from public disclosure, “even in instances where the victims eventually became complicit or engaged in reprehensible activity or communications.”
The DOJ also claimed it could not produce an unredacted version of a draft indictment from the Southern District of Florida because the redactions were present in the original photocopy and the department has been unable to locate an unredacted version. Similarly, FBI interview notes could not be released due to “technical limitations” in ensuring handwritten materials are free of private victim information.
The department offered to share additional details with the judge in closed proceedings and requested a 60-day extension to allow the solicitor general to consider a possible appeal if further action is demanded.
The filing comes in a lawsuit filed by attorney and independent journalist Katie Phang, who alleges the DOJ has violated the transparency law by withholding information. Attorney General Todd Blanche has repeatedly defended the administration’s handling of the Epstein files amid bipartisan backlash. The controversy echoes broader debates over government transparency, as seen in recent House votes to release records of lawmaker sexual misconduct settlements.
Critics argue the DOJ’s reliance on exemptions undermines the law’s intent. The case highlights tensions between victim privacy and public accountability, a theme also present in ongoing debates over racial justice and transparency. The judge has not yet ruled on the DOJ’s request.
