After Trump’s Orders and a New Law, DOJ Races to Release Epstein–Maxwell Grand Jury Materials

Washington, D.C.: In a major development that could pull back the curtain on one of America’s most controversial criminal cases, the US Department of Justice has filed urgent motions seeking judicial approval to publicly release grand jury transcripts and exhibits from the prosecutions of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, ABC News reported.

The request comes in response to a strict 30-day deadline imposed by the newly enacted Epstein Files Transparency Act, passed amid renewed public pressure to disclose long-sealed evidence in the high-profile case.

Signed by US Attorney Jay Clayton, the DOJ’s motions ask two judges in the Southern District of New York to modify existing protective orders and allow the government to release the materials—with redactions where necessary.

“In light of the Act’s clear mandate, the Court should authorize the Department of Justice to release the grand jury transcripts and exhibits,”
the filing states.

Redactions for Ongoing Investigations, But No Mention of High-Profile Names

The DOJ clarified that certain parts of the material may require redactions if their release could “jeopardize an active federal investigation or ongoing prosecution.”

Notably, the filings did not reference the ongoing probes involving several prominent figures—Bill Clinton, Larry Summers, and Reid Hoffman—which were recently ordered to proceed under directives from President Donald Trump.

Officials emphasized that victim identities and sensitive personal information would be “properly redacted” before any public release.

DOJ Seeks Expedited Ruling

Given the statutory deadline, the DOJ has requested an expedited court ruling, saying it will coordinate with relevant US Attorney offices nationwide to ensure compliance.

A ruling could come within days, potentially opening a rare window into the inner workings of the grand jury that indicted Epstein just weeks before his death.

Past Attempts to Unseal the Files Were Blocked

This isn’t the first time the government has attempted to unseal the documents.

In August 2024, Judge Richard Berman, who presided over Epstein’s 2019 case, denied the Trump administration’s request.
In his ruling, Berman said a “significant and compelling reason” remained to keep the transcripts secret, citing:

• The sensitivity of witness testimony
• The protection of victims
• The availability of more than 100,000 pages of related documents already in the government’s possession

The grand jury materials in question amount to roughly 70 pages, including:

• Transcripts from grand jury sessions on June 18 and July 2, 2019
• A PowerPoint presentation
• A call log submitted to jurors

The July 2 session concluded with the grand jury voting to indict Epstein.
He was arrested four days later and found dead in his Manhattan jail cell on August 10, 2019, in what authorities ruled a suicide.

What Happens Next?

If judges approve the DOJ’s request, the public could gain unprecedented access to documents that have remained sealed for years—potentially shedding new light on:

• The scope of Epstein’s trafficking network
• The evidence presented against Maxwell
• Witness accounts delivered behind closed doors
• The involvement—or lack thereof—of powerful international figures

Legal experts say the release could reshape public understanding of the case and revive debates over accountability, political interference, and the handling of high-profile sex trafficking investigations in the US.

The court’s decision, expected soon, will determine whether these long-guarded files finally see the light of day.