Judge Sullivan Presses DOJ, Raises Contempt Threat Over Epstein Files Redactions

US District Judge Emmet Sullivan held a hearing on August 13, 2026 pressing Justice Department attorneys on whether the Trump administration had complied with his prior orders in the Epstein files case, including a requirement to publish justifications for numerous redactions. Sullivan warned he has held lawyers in contempt before and said resisting further release could be detrimental to the attorneys' careers. The judge also raised concern that DOJ withheld handwritten notes from an interview with a woman who made unsubstantiated allegations against President Trump, who denies wrongdoing. In June, Sullivan found the redactions and withheld materials violated the Epstein Files Transparency Act.