Judge Sullivan warns DOJ he may hold attorneys in contempt over Epstein files

newsAug 13, 202624721

U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan pressed Department of Justice lawyers to explain why materials from the Jeffrey Epstein files remain redacted or withheld and scheduled a hearing in a lawsuit brought by an independent journalist. In June Sullivan concluded those redactions and withholdings violated the Epstein Files Transparency Act and ordered the DOJ either to turn over the materials or justify withholding them; Sullivan noted the Attorney General has conceded the government violated the Act. The DOJ has recently tried to justify the redactions instead of producing the documents and asked for a two month delay. Sullivan flagged the department’s failure to provide documentation that victims or potential victims asked for certain names to be treated as victims and questioned why handwritten interview notes alleging unsubstantiated claims about President Donald Trump were withheld. The DOJ said the handwritten notes are substantially similar to publicly released FBI reports and risk exposing victim information, but Sullivan pointed out the statute contains no exception for documents that are duplicative and demanded the DOJ explain why manual redaction or other means could not be used. Sullivan warned that contempt proceedings remain a real possibility, saying "That’s not a threat. That’s a promise."

Alt National Park Service

@altnps.bsky.social

Today, during the court hearing we posted about earlier, U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan pressed the Justice Department over its handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files and whether the Trump administration has actually complied with his previous court orders.

4092h ago

Alt National Park Service57

One of those orders requires DOJ to provide explanations for the numerous redactions in the Epstein files that have been released.

Annominos12

Good for Katie Phang for fighting! She said Todd Blanche didn't even show up but sent a bunch of young lawyers from the justice department.

Mike8

It won’t matter. They won’t comply, and then what? U.S. Marshals going to enforce that contempt? They report to Blanche, lol.

Rio Tiempo5

Constant inaction by the judiciary is complicity Whirlpool Politicians wink and nod Judges and flaccid gavels. Marshals look away. The Constitution, it unravels

Annie Ryerson1

She's living the good life while Epstein victims are still in pain from what they did to them.

Chris Geidner

@chrisgeidner.bsky.social

NEW: The presumption of irregularity. It's a new DOJ, and that's no good. This week alone, DOJ's actions regarding executive privilege, the July sanctions order, the Epstein files, and DHS investigations are at issue. Tonight, at Law Dork:

1321h ago

Kathleen Clark

@kathleenclark.bsky.social

Here's a great summary (by @klasfeldreports.com) of today's Phang v Blanche hearing, including Judge Sullivan's reminding (or informing?) DOJ lawyers of his record holding prosecutors in contempt -- for failing to disclose information during the prosecution of then-Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska.

244h ago

Stride Toward Peace & part owner of Canada

@stridetowardpeace.bsky.social

Thank you for this, Allison! It sounds like the judge is trying to avoid giving the DOJ any real grounds for appeal by continuing to give them more rope (to hang themselves with)? C'mon, Judge Sullivan, they're already in flagrant violation of your previous orders. Enough!

188h ago

barbisblue

@barbisblue.bsky.social

A federal judge suggested that government lawyers could be held in contempt after he repeatedly pressed the Department of Justice to explain redactions in a tranche of challenged documents from investigations into Jeffrey Epstein.

142h ago

Kira

@kiragooddog.bsky.social

As he made clear, Judge Sullivan has done this before and would do it again. Careful judges give litigants second chances before a contempt finding. That’s even more necessary in a politicized matter. He wants to maximize the chance that the DC Circuit - and SCOTUS - will back him up.

168h ago

Adam Keiper

@adamkeiper.com

"There has been lots of talk in recent months…about the ways in which the DOJ has lost the 'presumption of regularity' that is generally afforded to govt lawyers. This week has raised a more alarming question: What happens…if the reality shifts even further, toward a presumption of *irregularity*?"

91h ago

Force Ghost™

@fieldmontgomery.bsky.social

I'm going to make you all a bet. Come next week, the DoJ will tell Judge Sullivan, "hey, Judge, we'd love to comply with the law and stuff, but as you know,'inter arma enim silent leges*'. And we're at war right now, so..." (*in times of war the law falls silent - Cicero)

124h ago

Stable Glennius

@thatmanglenn.bsky.social

Yeah. See judge Sullivan in Phang’s #trumpepstein case. Very strongly worded threats to maybe do something if they ignore his order a 4th (?) time.

89h ago

𝓢𝓬𝓸𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓣𝓻𝓪𝓶𝓹

@scootertramp.bsky.social

Judge Sullivan and several hundred million Americans want to know. Release the damn files already!

79h ago

Greg Shaw

@zenmousegreg.bsky.social

Judge Sullivan could have rolled over and caved in to DOJ much earlier on, if he was going to do that. He's doing things by the book, and I don't think he's going to be the DOJ's tame poodle.

78h ago

Time Being2

I'm not convinced. It plays better in the media if the judge appears to be doing things by the book but ultimately folds. With the corruption in every greasy fold, it's safer to assume everyone is dirty until their actual actions say otherwise.

Fresh Prince of Wallachia

@gruntmusic.bsky.social

Judge Sullivan better have a good security detail. He needs to stay away from 3+ story windows. We are in some sh*t now.

98h ago

TovahR 🇺🇦🏳️‍🌈🇨🇦🏳️‍⚧️🇺🇲

@tovahr.bsky.social

youtube.com/watch?v=2u-A... Judge Emmet Sullivan held a hearing today in the case in which independent journalist Katie Phang sued Attorney General Todd Blanche for violating the Epstein files transparency act, thereby violating her First Amendment freedom of the press rights.

73h ago