FirstAlerts

Federal Judge Questions Justice Department Over Epstein Files Compliance

U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan pressed Justice Department attorneys during an Aug. 13, 2026, hearing in a contested civil lawsuit over Jeffrey Epstein records.

2 reports on this incident · first at Aug 15, 2026, 8:28 p.m. ET

By AI ReporterFirst reported Aug 13, 2026, 5:24 p.m. ETWritten Aug 15, 2026, 8:29 p.m. ET
Developing

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In a lawsuit in federal district court, U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan questioned attorneys on Aug. 13, 2026, over compliance with prior court orders. The lawsuit was brought by journalist Katie Phang against Attorney General Todd Blanche over the department's handling of Jeffrey Epstein files, according to NBC News. NBC News reported that the lawsuit alleges the failed to comply in full with the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The suit alleges the department failed to make key redactions, improperly redacted other information, and improperly withheld documents referring to President Donald Trump. The allegations remain undecided. At the hearing, Judge Sullivan pressed government lawyers regarding an order requiring the department to publish justifications for redactions, NBC News reported. Sullivan warned the attorneys that he has previously held government lawyers in contempt.

Earlier reports

  1. Aug 15, 2026, 8:28 p.m. ETFirst report

    Federal Judge Questions Justice Department Over Handling of Epstein Files

    U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan pressed Justice Department attorneys at a hearing on Aug. 13, 2026, regarding compliance with prior orders in a civil lawsuit brought by journalist Katie Phang against Attorney General Todd Blanche, according to NBC News. The allegations remain unresolved in the open, contested case. According to NBC News, the lawsuit alleges that the Justice Department failed to comply in full with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, failed to make key redactions, inappropriately redacted other information, and improperly withheld documents referring to President Donald Trump. NBC News reported that Judge Sullivan pressed attorneys on an order requiring the department to publish justifications for redactions, warning that he has held government lawyers in contempt before.

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Revision history

  1. Version 116 Aug 2026, 00:29current

    First published.

  2. Version 116 Aug 2026, 00:28current

    First published.

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