Judge orders Trump admin to release unredacted Epstein files by July 2, 2026

Topline

The Trump administration may release additional Jeffrey Epstein files on Thursday, including previously redacted names of associates who discussed women with the late financier, following a court order. However, the government has pledged to fight the ruling.

Key Facts

• Judge Emmet Sullivan ruled last week that the Trump administration must release and unredact information in the Epstein files by Thursday, as part of a lawsuit brought by journalist Katie Phang.

• Phang argued that the Trump administration violated the Epstein Files Transparency Act by withholding documents and redacting names without providing a proper explanation.

• Specific concerns raised by Phang include:
• Redacted names in emails discussing women
• Redacted names of potential co-defendants in a draft indictment against Epstein
• Missing FBI notes from agents' interviews with a woman who alleged she was assaulted by President Donald Trump (an allegation the president has denied)

• The Epstein Files Transparency Act, which compelled the release of the Epstein files, allows the government to withhold information only under limited circumstances—such as protecting victims' identities or ongoing investigations—and requires justifications for any redactions or withheld material.

• Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche "conceded that he is in violation of the Act" by failing to release certain names and documents or explain why they were withheld, according to Sullivan's ruling. The judge sided with Phang and ordered the government to comply with the legislation.

• The Justice Department has vowed to appeal Sullivan's ruling, but no appeal had been filed as of the deadline. The agency has not responded to a request for comment.

What to Watch For

It remains unclear when the documents and names at issue could be released on Thursday, or whether the government might file a last-minute appeal to keep them on hold. Sullivan stated in his ruling that he would not pause his order to allow time for an appeal, noting that the Epstein Files Transparency Act "required the Attorney General to produce the documents and publish the log by December 19, 2025—more than six months ago."

What Names Could Be Unredacted in the Epstein Files?

Sullivan's order directs the Department of Justice to make public the names from eight emails in the files that appear to discuss women. These could reveal who knew about and participated in Epstein's alleged abuse.

Examples of redacted emails include:

• 2013: "New Brazilian just arrived, sexy and cute, 19yo" — both sender and recipient names redacted.
• 2014: "Thank you for a fun night… Your littlest girl was a little naughty" — sender name redacted.
• 2015: "The key are the 14 to 15 year old girls—i am a sexual pervert because i say they are now of a reproductive age?" — sender name redacted.
• 2009: Epstein told an unnamed recipient, "I loved the torture video."
• March 2018: "I found at least 3 very good young poor but we was so tired. I will cover up this week. Meet this one, not the beauty queen but we both likes her a lot."
• September 2018: "My favorite from Lithuania, [REDACTED], 19. Will meet when I am there."

The government was also ordered to release names from prosecutors' draft indictment against Epstein from 2007, which was never issued because Epstein reached a non-prosecution agreement. The indictment includes a heading titled "Co-conspirators," but four of the five names listed are redacted—only associate Ghislaine Maxwell is identified.

Sullivan noted that the DOJ could submit explanations for why the names in the emails and indictment are redacted. However, the Epstein Files Transparency Act specifically bars redactions based on "embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity."

What Other Documents Could Be Released?

Sullivan's order directs the DOJ to release notes from...