The Justice Department asked a federal court on Friday to unseal grand jury transcripts in Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking case
17:48 ET, 18 Jul 2025Updated 18:04 ET, 18 Jul 2025
The Justice Department asked a federal court on Friday to unseal grand jury transcripts in Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking case (Image: Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
The Justice Department asked a federal court on Friday to unseal grand jury transcripts in Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking case as the Trump administration faces backlash over its handling of records related to the wealthy financier.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche filed a motion urging the court to release the transcripts a day after President Donald Trump directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to release “any and all” grand jury testimony related to the sex trafficking case against Epstein.
The AP reported the Trump administration has been embroiled in controversy since the Justice Department last week announced that it would not be releasing any more evidence in its possession from Epstein’s investigation.
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The Justice Department dismissed conspiracy theories about Epstein’s 2019 death in the Metropolitan Correctional Center while awaiting trial over the sex trafficking of minors, ruling it a suicide rather than foul play. It added there is “no credible evidence” to back the existence of an alleged “client list” with names of high-profile figures blackmailed by Epstein for visiting his infamous island.
The decision not to release any findings on the case led to backlash from Trump’s own supporters, who demanded “accountability” and “full transparency,” echoing some of the president’s campaign promises.
On Wednesday, Trump said he was disappointed at his supporters for failing to “stick together like glue,” unlike the Democrats.
“Their new SCAM is what we will forever call the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax, and my PAST supporters have bought into this ‘b——-,’ hook, line, and sinker,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social page.
The Wall Street Journal reported on a sexually suggestive letter that the newspaper says bore Trump’s name and was included in a 2003 album for Epstein’s 50th birthday(Image: Getty Images)
He later added of his own supporters: “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!”
Trump’s demand to release the grand jury transcripts came after The Wall Street Journal reported on a sexually suggestive letter that the newspaper says bore Trump’s name and was included in a 2003 album for Epstein’s 50th birthday.
Trump denied writing the letter, calling it “false, malicious, and defamatory.”
The report alleges Trump’s addition to the album was a typed letter to Epstein, bordered by a sketch of a nude woman in black marker. It is alleged that Trump’s signature is placed below the figure’s waist, resembling pubic hair, with the letter concluding with: “Happy Birthday – and may every day be another wonderful secret.”
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