Judge orders DOJ to either unredact more Epstein files or explain why they must stay blacked out

A judge on Thursday ordered the Justice Department to either release unredacted versions of several files on the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein or explain why it can't do so, following a lawsuit accusing Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche of improperly redacting documents. U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan gave the government until Thursday, July 2, to comply. The documents in question include eight emails with either the sender or recipient blacked out, a draft indictment of Epstein with the names of potential co-conspirators obscured and a 2019 email that mentions several co-conspirators whose names were redacted. In a 48-page opinion, Sullivan concluded that Phang had the right to sue over unreleased files and was likely to prevail on the merits of the case, and wrote that Blanche 'conceded Ms. Phang’s merits arguments' by not responding substantively. He also said FOIA 'does not provide an adequate remedy.' A Justice Department spokesperson told CBS News the agency plans to appeal. 'The Acting Attorney General has not conceded anything. Judge Sullivan’s perverse interpretation appears to be focused on driving misleading headlines,' the spokesperson said. 'This judge is suggesting DOJ violate the law by un-redacting victim names, who as the Department has always explained, sadly became co-conspirators. DOJ has produced all responsive documents and will appeal this decision with confidence.'