DOJ asks judge to avoid contempt sanctions and stay Epstein files order
""Ultimately, the department will continue to comply with all applicable disclosure laws, but the department also needs to be afforded the ability to seek appellet review of preliminary injunction orders it believes to be an error. Okay? As soon as you get sanctioned, you can go take your appeal.""
About this episode
Michael Popok of MeidasTouch’s Legal AF focuses on a court fight brought by journalist Katie Fang against the US Department of Justice, which Fang alleges is violating the Epstein File Transparency Act and the Administrative Procedure Act in its handling of Epstein-related records. Popok outlines several categories he says remain unproduced or inadequately logged, including foreign-language materials, a required redaction log, and handwritten notes tied to FBI 302s; he also references an allegation involving a 13-year-old girl claiming Donald Trump sexually abused her, while not presenting new evidence for that claim.
The episode replays excerpts from Fang’s lawyer Brendan Belaloo, who says DOJ argued it does not review non-English documents and suggested it had told Congress it would not follow that requirement. Popok then airs a clip from Todd Blanch’s confirmation hearing in which Blanch defends DOJ’s process, saying it reviewed millions of pages, corrected about 1% of redactions after release, and made unredacted versions available to members of Congress.
A further clip features an Epstein survivor describing a meeting with Blanch, saying there was “no remorse” and that he declined to pursue additional investigations suggested by survivors. Popok closes by criticising DOJ’s latest filing posture, highlighting language seeking to avoid sanctions and to stay Judge Emmet Sullivan’s order pending appeal, and argues the response risks angering the court.
Key takeaways
- Host says journalist Katie Fang has sued DOJ alleging violations of the Epstein File Transparency Act and APA over document handling.
- Popok lists document categories he says are missing or non-compliant, including foreign-language documents and a statutory redaction log.
- Fang’s lawyer Brendan Belaloo says DOJ took the position it does not review non-English documents and implied Congress tolerated that stance.
- Todd Blanch, in confirmation-hearing footage, claims DOJ reviewed millions of pages, corrected about 1% of redactions, and provided unredacted access to Congress.
- An Epstein survivor in a clip says Blanch showed “no remorse” and rejected calls for further investigative steps.
- Popok reads from what he describes as DOJ’s response seeking to avoid contempt/sanctions and to stay the court order to pursue appellate review.