DOJ asks judge to unseal Epstein, Maxwell grand jury testimony
The Justice Department (DOJ) asked a federal court on Friday to unseal the grand jury transcripts in the Jeffrey Epstein case.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche filed two different, almost identical, motions to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York to release the transcripts of the man convicted of sex-trafficking minors and his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell.
The motions state that even though the DOJ and FBI remain confident about the July memo, which indicated there was no evidence of a “client” list and confirmed that Epstein died by suicide, the court should unseal the testimonies out of “public interest.”
The move comes amid furor over the release of the so-called Epstein files, particularly among some of Trump's staunchest supports.
The DOJ will work to remove the names of potential victims and “other personal identifying information” before the transcript is released, the motions state. It is rare for a grand jury transcript to be released due to sensitive information; however, it can be done if there is enough public demand.
There is still no information on how long it will take the court to unseal the files. The DOJ has not immediately responded to requests for comment.
On Thursday, the Wall Street Journal released a bombshell report about a letter President Trump reportedly sent to Epstein for his 50th birthday. The letter includes a drawn picture of a naked woman and the words “Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret.”
Trump refuted the allegations and is now suing the reporters and the paper’s owner Rupert Murdoch.
Friday’s motion comes after the president directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to release the “pertinent grand jury testimony”, in an attempt to calm criticism about the administration's handling of the case.
“Based on the ridiculous amount of publicity given to Jeffrey Epstein, I have asked Attorney General Pam Bondi to produce any and all pertinent Grand Jury testimony, subject to Court approval. This SCAM, perpetuated by the Democrats, should end, right now!,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
The administration in recent weeks has faced increased pressure from Republicans and Democrats alike to share more information about the case, prompting frustration from the president.
“I have had more success in 6 months than perhaps any President in our Country’s history, and all these people want to talk about, with strong prodding by the Fake News and the success starved Dems, is the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
“Let these weaklings continue forward and do the Democrats’ work, don’t even think about talking of our incredible and unprecedented success, because I don’t want their support anymore!”