Attorney Katie Phang Accuses Todd Blanche of Epstein Case Delay Tactics

Attorney Katie Phang publicly accused Attorney General Todd Blanche of filing a motion “chock-full of lies” aimed at delaying her lawsuit to obtain unredacted files on the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The confrontation unfolded following a last-minute Justice Department request to U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan to postpone a critical deadline in the ongoing case.

Phang’s Accusation and Justice Department’s Delay Request

On Friday, Phang made her accusations during a broadcast on her YouTube channel, a day after the Justice Department sought to push back a deadline set by Judge Sullivan. The judge had ordered Blanche to submit a certified list of the administrative record by Oct. 1, outlining the documents used by the department to decide which files to release or redact. Phang emphasized the importance of this list, saying, “It’s actually pretty illuminating, because it’ll reveal, again, the process, the thought process that went into the redactions and the withholds for the files that have been publicly produced thus far.”

Sullivan’s Sept. 16 order also mandated that the department produce the full record by Oct. 15. Phang criticized Blanche for his last-minute delay request, saying, “Either way, we have Todd Blanche, the day something is due — the night, more technically, that something is due — he’s like, I need more time, judge.”

Legal Dispute Over Applicable Laws and Redactions

The Justice Department accused Phang of attempting to “circumvent” the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) by suing under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which the department claims does not grant private citizens the right to sue. Phang strongly rejected this, stating, “Lie number one. I am not suing pursuant to the Epstein Files Transparency Act. I am suing pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act, the APA.” She pointed out that the very requirement for Blanche to produce a certified list of the administrative record confirms her lawsuit’s basis under the APA.

Phang further noted that the department’s motion argued the information she seeks was “already available” through FOIA, which she says contradicts the department’s own previous communication. Her legal team submitted a June 24 filing showing the Justice Department’s reply to a FOIA request, which stated that the Epstein Files Transparency Act mandated a “much broader and less redacted release of the files than would have been made under the FOIA.” Phang questioned Blanche directly: “Well, Todd, which one is it?”

Justice Department’s Arguments and Phang’s Response

In the new motion, the Justice Department claimed that preparing the administrative record for the court would waste time and taxpayer resources because it anticipated the case would be dismissed. Phang dismissed this argument angrily: “Get the f— out of here. Are you kidding me? You think it’s a good use of taxpayers’ time and money to be able to do illegal redactions and withholds that are now forcing me to have to go and sue?”

The department also argued there were “no material facts in dispute,” meaning they believed only legal questions remained. Phang disagreed, stressing that the case hinges on whether records were illegally withheld or redacted. She said, “The entire lawsuit is premised on facts in dispute.”

Phang’s legal team reacted firmly against the delay request, stating it “should be denied on its face” because a local court rule requires the certified list to be filed simultaneously with any motion that could end the case. The department filed such a motion the same day, asking Judge Sullivan to rule in its favor based solely on the current court filings.

Call for Transparency and Accountability

Phang urged the Justice Department simply to “redact the victims’ information” and release the rest of the files. She questioned the department’s motives, asking, “Who are you protecting?” Her demand highlights the ongoing battle over public access to Epstein’s case files and the extent of the government’s transparency.

As the federal court hearing approaches, the dispute between Phang and Blanche underscores the tensions surrounding the release of sensitive documents tied to Epstein and the legal maneuvers employed to delay their disclosure.

The Epstein files case remains a focal point for advocates demanding accountability and openness, with Attorney Katie Phang’s confrontation bringing renewed attention to Justice Department tactics in the matter.