DOJ Filing Opposes Unredacting Epstein Files

The Justice Department argued this week that the public has seen enough of its Jeffrey Epstein files for now. In a court filing late Thursday, the DOJ argued it has "adequately complied" with the Epstein Files Transparency Act and should not be forced to unredact more material involving the convicted sex offender, the Hill reports. Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward told US District Judge Emmet Sullivan that more than 6 million documents have been reviewed and that further disclosures would clash with legal exemptions meant to protect victims' identities and ongoing investigations.

The disputed records include at least eight email exchanges with Epstein referencing a "torture video" and sexual activity with young women, including minors, as well as interviews with a woman who says she was abused by Donald Trump when she was underage. Woodward said some redactions stem from missing unredacted originals or "technical limitations" with handwritten FBI notes. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche offered in the filing, a response to a lawsuit by journalist Katie Phang accusing the department of violating the transparency law, to brief the judge privately, per USA Today. The DOJ requested 60 more days so the solicitor general can weigh an appeal.