Court Orders U.S. Justice Department to Release Some Epstein Files Without Redactions

A federal court ruled that the Justice Department must provide unredacted versions of some documents or explain why the materials were classified.

U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan said in his ruling that the Donald Trump administration had violated the requirements of the Epstein Files Transparency Act.

By July 2, the Justice Department must either provide documents with fewer redactions—including data on the senders and recipients of certain emails, as well as the names of alleged accomplices—or explain why those passages cannot be disclosed.

Among the materials covered by the court’s ruling are the FBI’s initial records from its interview with a woman who accused Donald Trump of assault.

The Trump administration is also required to disclose the senders and recipients of a number of emails that mention the recruitment of young girls.

The Public Integrity Project, which filed the lawsuit, said the court’s decision will allow “the public finally to get transparency about Jeffrey Epstein and his network.”

“The government ignored a law passed by Congress and then refused to defend its actions in court—all to protect the rich and powerful,” said Brendan Ballou, a representative of the organization.