cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/49081416

Archive: https://web.archive.org/web/20260704092215/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/doj-epstein-files-todd-blanche-katie-phang-lawsuit-b3008454.html

Excerpt:

The Department of Justice is refusing to hand over redacted information from investigative files connected to Jeffrey Epstein, despite an order from a federal judge to either release the documents or explain why they were withheld.

Hours before a deadline to turn over the materials, Associate U.S. Attorney General Stanley Woodward asked the judge to delay the deadline for another two months, or to dissolve the order entirely by accepting the Justice Department’s explanation for withholding those documents.

Last month, U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan sided with journalist Katie Phang after she filed a lawsuitaccusing Donald Trump’s administration of violating the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which the president signed into law last year.

The lawsuit, which was filed against Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, accuses the government of obstructing the public’s right to access materials connected to investigations into Epstein. The judge gave the Justice Department until Thursday to respond.