Journalist Katie Phang Sues Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche Over Epstein Files Cover-Up

Katie Phang, a legal analyst and investigative reporter known for her work on the Epstein case, has taken the Justice Department to court over its failure to comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The lawsuit, filed in Washington DC’s federal district court on Monday, targets acting Attorney General Todd Blanche personally, accusing him of “brazen, shocking, and ongoing” violations of the law requiring the DOJ to release all government documents related to Jeffrey Epstein.

Passed by Congress in November, the Transparency Act set a December 19 deadline for the DOJ to publish the complete set of Epstein files. Instead, Blanche, who served as deputy attorney general until recently, has overseen the release of only a fraction of these documents. Critics say the department has redacted excessively and withheld millions of pages without proper explanation, undermining the law’s intent and public trust.

Phang’s lawsuit details multiple failures: missing statutory deadlines, improper redactions that obscure key information, failure to justify those redactions as legally required, and even retracting documents after initial release. Blanche has defended the redactions as necessary to protect the identities of Epstein’s victims, many of whom were minors, but acknowledges that “mistakes are inevitable.” Meanwhile, survivors and advocates have raised alarms over sensitive personal information being exposed, highlighting the DOJ’s mishandling of this delicate material.

Democratic lawmakers, including House Judiciary Committee ranking member Jamie Raskin, have criticized the DOJ’s approach as a “full-blown cover-up.” Raskin pointed to “tons of completely unnecessary redactions” and inconsistent protections for victims’ identities. The department’s own Office of the Inspector General recently announced an audit to assess compliance with the Transparency Act, signaling internal concern over how the files have been managed.

Phang’s lawsuit demands a court declaration that the DOJ is violating the law, an order for the release of all required documents without unlawful redactions, and a full explanation of any remaining redactions. Crucially, it calls for the appointment of an independent special master outside the DOJ to oversee compliance and ensure transparency.

This legal action underscores the ongoing battle for accountability in the Epstein case, which continues to expose the deep corruption and complicity of powerful figures linked to Epstein’s trafficking network. Epstein died by suicide in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial, and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell is serving a 20-year sentence for her role. Yet the full scope of their crimes and the extent of government knowledge remain shrouded in secrecy.

Congressmen Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie, authors of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, have praised Phang’s lawsuit as a crucial step toward justice. Khanna described the withheld documents as “one of the biggest coverups in the history of our nation,” emphasizing the need to end “two tiers of justice” that protect elites while denying survivors transparency and accountability.

As the DOJ faces mounting pressure from journalists, lawmakers, and watchdogs, the fight over the Epstein files is far from over. Katie Phang’s lawsuit is a bold move demanding the truth be fully exposed — and those responsible held to account. The public deserves nothing less.