A federal judge has ordered the Department of Justice to release more unredacted Jeffrey Epstein records or provide a justification by July 2. This ruling could compel the DOJ to disclose previously withheld documents or explain why they remain sealed. U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan set the deadline in response to a lawsuit by media legal analyst Katie Phang. Phang alleges the DOJ violated the Epstein Act by improperly withholding or redacting additional material. She claims the department redacted names in email exchanges concerning a torture video and sexual activity involving minors. Phang also accuses the DOJ of redacting names of co-defendants and co-conspirators in a draft indictment. Furthermore, she alleges the DOJ withheld 36 materials referencing President Trump, including interview notes from a victim who accused Trump of assault. The DOJ argued Phang cannot sue and should have filed a Freedom of Information Act request, but her lawyers stated her FOIA requests were denied. Trump has denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein allegations and faces no associated criminal charges.