US Judge Orders DOJ to Release Censored Jeffrey Epstein Files

U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan ordered the Department of Justice to disclose all redacted material in the publicly released Jeffrey Epstein case files and to provide a detailed log of the edits. The order, issued on June 26, 2026, sets a deadline of July 2 for compliance. It requires the DOJ to turn over at least eight email exchanges that mention a “video of torture” and sexual activity with minors, and to release a censored interview in which a woman alleges she was abused by President Donald Trump when she was a minor.

The ruling follows a lawsuit filed by independent journalist Katie Phang, who alleges the DOJ violated the Epstein Transparency Act by over‑redacting documents. The DOJ had previously removed thousands of files after concerns that victims’ identities were exposed. Millions of pages—emails, photos, and other records—have been made public since December, but many remain censored. Sullivan’s decision may set a precedent for further challenges to government withholding of information.

The order also instructs the DOJ to publish a complete record of every redaction made to the already released Epstein documents, highlighting ongoing criticism of the Trump administration’s handling of the case.