NEW YORK — The U.S. Department of Justice has requested a judge to unseal documents linked to Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender, amid increasing scrutiny over the Trump administration’s management of his case. The request focuses on grand jury transcripts related to a 2019 sex trafficking case involving Epstein, traditionally protected under law due to privacy concerns.
This move coincides with former President Donald Trump’s lawsuit against the owner of the Wall Street Journal, Rupert Murdoch, and two of its reporters. In this suit, Trump claims that the publication falsely reported he sent a risqué birthday note to Epstein in 2003, which he denies is authentic.
On Thursday, Trump directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to pursue the release of documents tied to Epstein’s grand jury testimonies. The Justice Department argues that these records deserve public disclosure, given the seriousness of the charges Epstein faced, including sexually trafficking minors as young as 14. The department is also seeking similar disclosures regarding Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s associate, who was convicted in a related child sex trafficking conspiracy.
Grand jury proceedings usually remain confidential to protect witnesses and informants, but a judge may decide to unseal documents if public interest outweighs the need for secrecy. As of now, it remains uncertain when or whether the requested documents will be released or if they will meet the demands of Trump’s supporters for more transparency.
In a separate legal action, Trump filed a $10 billion lawsuit in Miami against Dow Jones, News Corp, and Murdoch, alleging slander and libel regarding claims that he drafted an inappropriate birthday message for Epstein prior to the financier’s sex crime allegations. In a social media post, Trump characterized the article as “false, malicious, and defamatory” and expressed his intent to pursue significant legal accountability for those involved in its publication.
Reports from the Wall Street Journal indicate that the controversial letter attributed to Trump included a typewritten message framed by an illustration of a naked woman, apparently created with a marker. The note allegedly features a playful dialogue and concludes with flirtatious remarks. Trump has strongly rejected the assertion that he authored this letter, insisting that the language does not reflect his speaking style.
As the week unfolded, Trump faced mounting pressure from his supporters for greater clarity and accountability regarding the Epstein case. Discontent among his loyal base grew after Attorney General Bondi altered her stance on the release of certain Epstein-related documents. Republican sheriff Chad Bianco, who is running for governor in California, expressed disappointment, asserting that many of Trump’s supporters feel overlooked in this matter.
Meanwhile, bipartisan efforts in Congress are underway to compel Bondi to make a wide range of Epstein-related materials available, with notable support from figures across the political spectrum, including Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene and Democrat Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
The atmosphere surrounding this evolving situation reflects deep tensions both within Trump’s circle and among the broader political landscape.
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