A federal judge has raised fresh questions about Donald Trump’s DOJ and its handling of files related to Jeffrey Epstein. U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan pressed government attorneys about their compliance with his previous orders during a hearing Thursday. The judge also reminded the attorneys that he has previously held government lawyers in contempt for failing to provide information required by his orders.
Federal judge questions Justice Department attorneys over records handling
U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan questioned Justice Department attorneys Thursday over the government’s handling of Jeffrey Epstein-related records and its compliance with earlier court directives.
The judge questioned Justice Department official Andrew Block about when the government would provide the information required by the court. Block did not offer a firm deadline, saying the timing was beyond his control and that the requested material would be “forthcoming.” According to NBC News, Sullivan responded, “Christmas is forthcoming,” while emphasizing that his previous instructions were clear.
The judge also reminded the government attorneys that he has previously used contempt proceedings when federal lawyers failed to provide information required by his orders. “I’m not in a habit of blindsiding people,” he said, adding that he had “absolutely no desire to go down that road again.” However, Sullivan wanted them to understand the consequences of failing to comply.
He also questioned whether the government needed another order to comply with his existing directives. “You want me to issue another order and say, ‘I really mean it this time’?” the judge asked. After the hearing, Brendan Ballou, an attorney representing Phang, said Blanche had “failed to follow the law.”
The dispute is connected to a lawsuit filed in April by journalist Katie Phang against Attorney General Todd Blanche. The lawsuit claims the Justice Department failed to fully comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which Congress passed and the president signed into law last year. Phang alleges that the department mishandled certain redactions and withheld documents that referenced President Donald Trump.
The Justice Department has challenged Phang’s standing to bring the case and has rejected the claim that it violated Sullivan’s June order.
