#court-order
4 entries with this tag
Trump Signed the Epstein Files Transparency Act Under Pressure, Then His DOJ Defied Both the Law and a Federal Judge's Order to Release the Files — the Same Associate Attorney General Just Referred for Discipline in the IRS Case Asked the Court to Ignore Its Own Deadline
In November 2025, under intense bipartisan and public pressure, Trump signed the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which ordered the Justice Department to release all files connected to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation by December 19. His administration has spent the months since not complying. After journalist Katie Phang sued over withheld materials, U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan ruled the administration had likely violated the Transparency Act and ordered the DOJ to release and unredact the disputed files or explain why they must stay hidden. Hours before the deadline, Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward — the same official a federal judge referred for bar discipline days earlier over the sham IRS settlement — asked Sullivan to delay the deadline by 60 days or disregard it entirely. The DOJ then formally declined to hand over additional unredacted files, claiming the redactions were appropriate and protected victims. Among the disputed materials, according to reporting, are FBI interview notes from a woman who alleged she was forced to perform a sex act on Trump in the 1980s after meeting him through Epstein — an allegation that is uncorroborated and that Trump has strongly denied. Reps. Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna, frustrated that the department was withholding files it was legally required to disclose while survivors' names leaked out, introduced a second bill — the Epstein Files Transparency Act II. The throughline: a president who signed a transparency law to quiet a scandal, then had his Justice Department defy the law, a court, and Congress to keep the files sealed.
$400M White House Ballroom Halted by Judge: "The President Is Not the Owner"
A federal judge halted Trump's $400M ballroom: "The President is the steward of the White House for future generations. He is not, however, the owner!" The 90,000-sq-ft project — 3x the White House — has fake windows hiding toilets, stairs to nowhere, and 98% public opposition.
Wrongful Deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia
A Maryland man with explicit court-ordered protection from deportation was mistakenly deported to El Salvador's CECOT prison. The Supreme Court ruled 9-0 the government must facilitate his return. Trump defied the ruling for months.
Trump Foundation Dissolved for Illegal Self-Dealing
The Trump charity was dissolved by court order after a "shocking pattern of illegality." Trump used foundation money to buy a portrait of himself, settle business debts, and make an illegal political donation to the AG investigating Trump University.