WASHINGTON (BN24) — President Donald Trump has ordered the Department of Justice to seek the release of sealed grand jury transcripts tied to the Jeffrey Epstein case, intensifying the administration’s response to growing public and political demands for transparency. The decision, announced Thursday night and acted upon by Attorney General Pam Bondi on Friday, marks a sharp reversal following weeks of criticism over what many viewed as a botched handling of sensitive Epstein files.
The Justice Department filed a motion in Manhattan federal court Friday asking a judge to unseal the long-shielded testimony given before a grand jury during the criminal investigation into Epstein, the disgraced financier who died by suicide in federal custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
“In light of continued public interest, and under the direction of Attorney General Bondi, the government moves to unseal grand jury transcripts associated with the Epstein indictment,” the DOJ filing reads. It notes that all victim-identifying information would be redacted prior to release, in accordance with federal privacy laws.
The move comes as the Trump White House faces increasing backlash from both critics and supporters who expected the president to fully declassify the Epstein files. Trump’s directive follows a Wall Street Journal report that described a bizarre birthday letter allegedly sent by Trump to Epstein in 2003 — featuring a crude sketch of a naked woman. Trump has denied any association with the letter, calling it “fake,” and has since sued the Journal’s parent company and reporters involved in the story.
“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,” Trump wrote Thursday night on Truth Social. “This SCAM, perpetuated by the Democrats, should end, right now!”
Bondi echoed Trump’s call in a post on X, saying the DOJ was “ready to move the court tomorrow.”
The lawsuit against the Journal’s publisher and the sudden DOJ filing mark a broader attempt by the Trump administration to wrest control of the narrative surrounding Epstein. The DOJ has been criticized for last week’s release of a heavily redacted memo that concluded there was “no credible evidence” Epstein maintained a “client list” or was murdered — conclusions that outraged many in Trump’s base, who had expected more explosive disclosures.
That memo also included the release of 10 hours of jailhouse footage showing no unauthorized access to Epstein’s cell on the day of his death. Still, the findings failed to quell speculation and anger among supporters who had hoped the Trump administration would expose a network of high-profile figures tied to Epstein.
The administration’s credibility took another hit after the Journal published its story on the birthday letter, allegedly signed “Donald” with a graphic drawing. The letter, the report said, ended with the words, “Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret.” In response, Trump lashed out, threatening legal action against the outlet and calling the article part of a political smear campaign.
Friday’s DOJ motion makes clear the administration’s pivot: it seeks to portray Trump as leading the charge for transparency, even as key documents remain under wraps. The motion, signed by Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, states that lawmakers, media, and the public “remain deeply interested and concerned about the Epstein matter.”
While federal judges have previously released some material related to Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell — who was sentenced in 2022 to 20 years for her role in Epstein’s sex trafficking scheme — much of the remaining evidence has been held back to protect victims and uncharged individuals.
Now, the release of grand jury testimony will depend on Judge Richard Berman, who presided over Epstein’s criminal case before his death. Before any material can be unsealed, Berman must consult with victims and any uncharged persons referenced in the transcripts. That process could take weeks or even months.
Legal experts say grand jury records typically remain sealed unless compelling public interest overrides privacy concerns. While the grand jury process is only a portion of the broader investigation, the Trump administration appears to be using the court motion as a legal avenue to offload responsibility — and avoid further redactions from the DOJ itself.
Trump’s move also coincides with his signing of unrelated legislation establishing federal cryptocurrency regulation and the conclusion of budget negotiations that saw congressional approval for deep cuts to NPR, PBS, and foreign aid — a string of political maneuvers likely intended to shift headlines away from the Epstein controversy.
While Trump praised Bondi for acting quickly, discontent remains high among Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson and Rep. Ralph Norman, who have urged Trump to go further. Bondi has yet to clarify whether the DOJ will pursue additional disclosures beyond the grand jury transcripts.
As the political stakes rise and legal processes play out in federal court, Trump is walking a narrow line — attempting to cast himself as a truth-teller on Epstein while navigating the fallout from past associations and the latest press scrutiny.
CNN
