Judge Blocks Trump Bid to Unseal Epstein Grand Jury Records

A U.S. judge denied the Trump administration’s bid to unseal Epstein grand jury records from Florida. A House panel voted to subpoena DOJ files, with bipartisan support. MAGA supporters are outraged over the case’s closure. Trump, facing renewed scrutiny over ties to Epstein, has called for transparency and is suing over related media reports.

A U.S. judge has rejected a request by President Donald Trump’s administration to unseal grand jury transcripts related to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s activities in Florida during the 2000s.

U.S. District Judge Robin Rosenberg ruled on Wednesday that the U.S. Department of Justice’s request did not meet any of the exceptions that would permit the release of grand jury materials, which are generally protected under secrecy rules.

This ruling does not affect two other ongoing Justice Department efforts to obtain grand jury transcripts from later federal investigations into Epstein’s activities in New York, according to CNBC. Those proceedings led to Epstein’s criminal indictment, as well as the indictment of his longtime associate, Ghislaine Maxwell.

Meanwhile, a House subcommittee voted on Wednesday to subpoena the Department of Justice for documents related to the sex trafficking investigation involving Epstein. This move followed a successful push by Democrats who persuaded several Republicans to support the effort—defying both Trump and GOP leadership. Three Republicans joined Democrats in approving the subpoena, which passed by a vote of 8 to 2.

The committee’s decision came just hours before the House was set to adjourn for its July recess and embark on a month-long break. Subcommittee Chairman Clay Higgins, a Republican, stated that drafting the subpoena had begun but emphasized that finalizing the language would require additional time and bipartisan coordination.

The vote illustrated increasing Democratic pressure on Republicans to act on the long-simmering Epstein controversy.

The case has emerged as one of the most significant internal political challenges of Trump’s current term. Tensions have been inflamed within the MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement after the Justice Department announced two weeks ago that the case was officially closed, citing a lack of further information to disclose.

On July 7, the Department issued a memo stating there was no existing Epstein “client list”—contradicting prior claims made by Attorney General Pam Bondi, who had said she was reviewing such a list. The memo also confirmed the official ruling that Epstein died by suicide while in jail.

This decision has angered many MAGA supporters, who for years have been told by their leaders that a “deep state” conspiracy had been hiding key information from the public to protect prominent Democratic Party figures alleged to be among Epstein’s clients. Some MAGA figures have even promoted conspiracy theories claiming Epstein was murdered under orders from powerful individuals named in the files.

As backlash intensified among MAGA loyalists, Trump authorized Bondi to release what he described as “credible” information related to the Epstein case. The president also urged the courts to unseal the grand jury transcripts involving Epstein.

These developments come as media scrutiny of Trump’s past relationship with Epstein has grown. Reports have highlighted the two men’s 15-year friendship, with multiple photos showing them socializing together. Their relationship reportedly soured in 2004 over a property dispute, prompting Trump to publicly denounce Epstein.

In a separate controversy, the White House is strongly denying a Wall Street Journal report which claimed Trump wrote a risqué birthday letter to Epstein for his 50th celebration in 2003. Trump has responded by filing a lawsuit against the publication and its owner, Rupert Murdoch.

Additionally, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday that Pam Bondi informed Trump during a White House meeting in May that his name appeared multiple times in Epstein’s files. The report cited senior administration officials, noting that other high-profile individuals were also named.

The White House dismissed the claims as “fake news,” while both Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche maintained that Trump’s notification was part of a standard legal briefing.

“Nothing in the files warranted further investigation or prosecution, and we have filed a motion in court to unseal the underlying grand jury transcripts,” Bondi and Blanche stated.