The U.S. Department of Justice on Friday filed a motion in federal court in New York seeking to unseal grand-jury testimony in the case of Jeffrey Epstein, a move signaling that the Donald Trump administration is responding again in earnest to Congress’s demand for transparency in the long-running sex-trafficking investigation.
In a filing signed by Attorney General Pam Bondi, the Justice Department asked the court to "authorize the Department of Justice to release the grand-jury transcripts and lift any preexisting protective orders that would otherwise prevent public disclosure."
Three previous requests from the DOJ were denied: The first by a judge on or before August 11, 2025; the second in a separate case and also on or before that date; and the third on August 20, 2025, by a New York federal judge, who called the motion a "diversion" and said the DOJ should disclose the Epstein files.
The current motion noted that the recent act passed by Congress calls for the release of investigatory records related to Epstein and his associates, though grand-jury testimony had remained sealed under longstanding confidentiality provisions.
Federal court precedent generally holds grand-jury proceedings confidential until a judge allows release, and the filing acknowledged there is "no indication a judge would make a different ruling in this case."
The legislative backdrop is significant.
On November 18, 2025, the House passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act, requiring the Justice Department to release unclassified records relating to Epstein’s investigation and prosecution.
The Senate approved the measure the next day.
While the law does not explicitly mention grand jury transcripts, the motion frames them as included by implication.
Redactions are planned to protect victims’ identities and other sensitive information.
For conservatives and other transparency advocates, the filing represents a step toward accountability after years of frustration over sealed documents.
The Epstein case has been a recurring issue within the conservative base, with some prominent supporters of the administration maintaining that full disclosure of Epstein-related records is vital for trust in government.
At the same time, the administration has faced criticism. Some congressional Democrats raised questions about possible leniency shown to Epstein’s longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell, and whether the release would include names of powerful figures implicated in the network.
The timing of the motion is significant.
It comes just a few days after the law passed, and as pressure mounts on the Trump administration to show progress. If the court grants the motion, the transcripts would likely become part of the publicly searchable materials that the law mandates be released within 30 days of enactment.
Legal experts note that the motion’s ultimate success depends on the court’s interpretation of grand-jury secrecy rules. Even if the judge approves, the Department will have to navigate redactions and potential appeals from witnesses who have not been charged.
In his public statements, President Trump denied any wrongdoing in the Epstein case, asserting the matter is being used for political purposes.
Reuters contributed to this report.
Jim Thomas ✉
Jim Thomas is a writer based in Indiana. He holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science, a law degree from U.I.C. Law School, and has practiced law for more than 20 years.
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