By Dayo Ade Olusla, M10News | Politics and Justice Correspondent Published: 19 July 2025
The United States Justice Department has asked a federal judge to unseal grand jury materials related to Jeffrey Epstein’s 2019 sex trafficking case — a move that comes amid mounting political pressure and a lawsuit by former President Donald Trump against Rupert Murdoch and the Wall Street Journal.
The materials include transcripts from the grand jury proceedings that led to Epstein’s indictment for trafficking underage girls. Such records are typically protected by law, but the DOJ argues the public interest now outweighs the need for secrecy.
The request was made public Thursday night, just hours after Trump ordered Attorney General Pam Bondi to pursue the release of the classified documents.
Public interest ‘overrides secrecy’
In the court filing, the Justice Department stated:
“The material in question concerns offences of national and moral consequence, and its disclosure is vital to restore public trust.”
The department is also seeking to disclose grand jury materials related to Epstein’s former associate Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted in 2021 on multiple charges linked to the trafficking and abuse of minors.
Grand jury proceedings are traditionally secret to protect witnesses and preserve the integrity of future trials. However, under US law, a judge can authorise the release of such material if the public interest is deemed compelling.
Trump sues WSJ over ‘fake’ Epstein birthday note
The DOJ filing came the same day Donald Trump filed a $10bn (£7.5bn) defamation lawsuit in a Miami court against Dow Jones, News Corp, Rupert Murdoch and two Wall Street Journal reporters.
At the heart of the suit is a Journal article that claimed Trump wrote a “bawdy” birthday greeting to Epstein in 2003 — years before Epstein was publicly linked to sex trafficking charges.
According to the newspaper, the message was typed over a hand-drawn outline of a nude woman, and included a mock conversation between Trump and Epstein. The letter reportedly concluded: “A pal is a wonderful thing. Happy Birthday – and may every day be another wonderful secret.”
Trump has denied writing the note, calling the report “fake,” “malicious,” and “defamatory.”
“These are not my words, not the way I talk. Also, I don’t draw pictures,” the former president posted on Truth Social.
He added: “We have just filed a powerhouse lawsuit against everyone involved in publishing the false, malicious, defamatory, fake news ‘article’ in the useless rag that is, The Wall Street Journal.”
Trump allies demand transparency — and answers
The latest developments have deepened internal Republican divisions. Several high-profile Trump supporters expressed disappointment over the lack of swift action in making Epstein-related documents public.
Pam Bondi, the attorney general tasked with executing Trump’s order, has faced criticism for initially resisting calls to release sensitive materials. Some allies have since demanded her resignation.
Chad Bianco, a Republican sheriff running for governor of California, told BBC News:
“This isn’t what we were expecting. Millions of people feel like they’ve been misled.”
“There’s a lack of urgency. It feels like transparency is being rationed,” he added.
Unlikely political alliance pushing for document release
A bipartisan push in Congress has emerged to force the DOJ to release all remaining Epstein-related documents through a legislative mechanism known as a discharge petition.
The measure has attracted unusual cross-party support, including from Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Both lawmakers signed the petition on Thursday, calling for “full and immediate transparency into all known federal investigations relating to Jeffrey Epstein and his associates.”
The petition needs 218 signatures to bypass normal committee procedures and trigger a vote on the House floor.
What happens next?
The federal judge reviewing the DOJ’s request has not issued a ruling. Legal analysts say it may take weeks before a decision is made on whether the grand jury materials can be released.
If approved, the documents could reveal new details about Epstein’s network, the scope of the investigation, and potential links to high-profile individuals.
But for now, the legal and political battles over transparency and media accountability appear far from over.
