Blanche warned of contempt risk in Epstein files case

A federal judge has cautioned Attorney General Todd Blanche that he could face contempt proceedings if the Department of Justice (DOJ) does not comply with an order concerning the release or review of Jeffrey Epstein files. The matter could compel the DOJ to disclose further Epstein records or eliminate redactions deemed permissible by the court.

Judge Emmet Sullivan issued a 20-page order on Wednesday, stating that civil contempt proceedings could become appropriate if Blanche fails to adhere to the court's renewed directive. Sullivan emphasized that a contempt finding is appropriate when the party in question violates a clear and unambiguous order, and the violation is substantiated by clear and convincing evidence.

The lawsuit, brought forth by independent journalist Katie Phang, alleges that the DOJ has not released all documents mandated under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, enacted last November. Sullivan previously expressed reluctance to initiate contempt proceedings but stressed that the public, victims, and the court have a right to know the details of this case.

The judge ruled that the DOJ provided sufficient documentation to justify redactions in certain emails, protecting the privacy of victims, but demanded additional documentation for other emails, ordering an in camera review by a judge. Sullivan rejected the DOJ's claim that handwritten FBI notes were appropriately withheld due to their similarity to typed reports, asserting that the DOJ's review protocol does not warrant withholding substantially similar records.

Additionally, the judge dismissed the DOJ's argument for not reviewing foreign-language materials, emphasizing that a first-level reviewer should still determine the relevance of such documents. The lawsuit is part of a series of efforts seeking transparency or questioning DOJ actions related to the Epstein files, which have drawn legal and political scrutiny of the Trump administration.

Congress has previously held U.S. attorneys general in contempt, including Eric Holder during the Obama administration and William Barr during Trump's first administration. The DOJ has not commented on the matter. The House is close to forcing a vote on an expanded version of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, aiming to secure the release of remaining DOJ records.

GOP Rep. Thomas Massie is spearheading the initiative, mirroring his efforts with the original Act I.