A federal judge overseeing a lawsuit against the Department of Justice over the handling of Jeffrey Epstein files has warned that government attorneys could face contempt proceedings if they continue to delay compliance with court orders. U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan convened a hearing Thursday to address the Justice Department’s alleged failure to fully comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, a law signed by President Donald Trump in 2025 requiring broad public disclosure of records related to Epstein and associates.
The Justice Department acknowledged it has not met key obligations under the law, including producing a required redaction log, releasing foreign language documents, and providing notes from interviews referencing President Trump. Sullivan, a 41-year veteran of the bench, expressed frustration during the hearing, stating that the government’s delays were unacceptable and that contempt proceedings were a possible outcome if compliance did not improve.
Sullivan’s June ruling found the DOJ in violation of the transparency law, ordering the department to either release the withheld materials or provide valid justifications for their redaction. At Thursday’s hearing, government attorney Andrew Block told the judge that no timeline for compliance could be committed, stating that the matter was "out of his control" and that information would be "forthcoming."
Sullivan responded with skepticism, remarking, "Christmas is forthcoming," and later asked whether he should issue another order to emphasize the seriousness of the situation. "You want me to issue another order and say, ‘I really mean it this time’?" he said. The judge emphasized that his orders were "straightforward" and that he was willing to work with the government to achieve compliance.
The case stems from a lawsuit filed by journalist Katie Phang in April, arguing that the Justice Department had failed to comply with the transparency law by withholding documents, improperly redacting information, and failing to justify redactions. Phang’s legal team has accused the DOJ of employing a strategy of "endless delay" rather than compliance. Brendan Ballou, an attorney for Phang, stated after the hearing that the government’s own statements in court confirmed the Attorney General’s failure to follow the law.
The DOJ has argued that Phang lacks standing to bring the case, and it has dismissed claims of noncompliance as "absurd." Former Attorney General Pam Bondi, who oversaw the initial release of Epstein files, has previously acknowledged that redaction errors occurred during the process. The dispute centers on whether the redactions were justified under the law, with Sullivan raising concerns that some materials were withheld without proper documentation, such as handwritten notes from interviews with individuals claiming victim status.
The judge’s warning of potential contempt proceedings marks a significant escalation in the legal battle over transparency in the Epstein case. The outcome could set a precedent for future enforcement of federal transparency laws and the accountability of government agencies in complying with judicial orders.