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
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Earlier reports
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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- Version 116 Aug 2026, 00:29current
First published.
- Version 116 Aug 2026, 00:28current
First published.
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