A federal judge is threatening to fine the Acting Attorney General of the United States $1,000 a day.
Late last year, Congress passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act, forcing DOJ to release its Epstein files with real deadlines. In April, attorney Katie Phang sued Acting AG Todd Blanche directly, alleging DOJ missed deadlines, made improper redactions, and withheld required documents. In June, a federal judge ruled DOJ never even attempted to argue it had followed the law.
Then it got worse: DOJ admitted in a filing that Jeffrey Epstein’s own email address had been redacted from the files — while victims’ identifying information was left exposed “hundreds and hundreds of times,” according to Phang.
Phang asked the court to fine Blanche $1,000 a day until DOJ fully complies. This week, Blanche personally asked the judge to spare him the fine, calling it “absurd.”
VERDICT: LIE — on DOJ’s claims of “unprecedented transparency.” A federal judge already found, on the record, that the government didn’t even try to argue it followed the law.
AI Powered. No Agenda. You decide. Full breakdown in the video linked below.
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
[0:20] The Epstein Files Transparency Act
[0:55] Katie Phang’s Lawsuit
[2:01] The Judge’s Ruling
[2:55] Epstein’s Email vs. Victims’ Identities
[3:38] The $1,000-a-Day Fine
[5:38] Verdict
Sources:
sources with links:
The New Republic — Blanche begs judge not to fine him $1,000 a day: https://newrepublic.com/post/213313/todd-blanche-begs-judge-fine-epstein-files
Yahoo News — Blanche begs judge not to fine him $1,000 a day: https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/blanche-begs-judge-not-fine-155024350.html
Ms. Magazine — Trump’s plan to keep Blanche in power raises stakes: https://msmagazine.com/2026/07/29/todd-blanche-epstein-files-katie-phang-lawsuit-court-judge/
Raw Story — ‘Biggest red flag’ in unredacted Epstein files: https://www.rawstory.com/todd-blanche-epstein-files-2677553689/
Forbes — Could more Epstein files be released soon?: https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2026/07/27/could-more-epstein-files-be-released-soon-redacted-docs-will-be-reviewed-by-judge-this-week/
CBS News — Judge orders DOJ to unredact more Epstein files or explain why: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/judge-orders-doj-unredact-more-epstein-files-or-explain-why-blanche/
