Trump Pushes for Court Approval to Unseal Epstein Grand Jury Records
Former President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social on July 17 that he has instructed Attorney General Pam Bondi to request the unsealing of grand jury testimony related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, pending court approval.
“Given the absurd level of public attention surrounding Jeffrey Epstein, I’ve asked Attorney General Pam Bondi to seek the release of all grand jury testimonies—if the court permits. This Democrat-fueled hoax must end immediately,” Trump stated.
Shortly after the announcement, Bondi confirmed that the Justice Department is prepared to submit the request to the court within the day. Authorities reiterated that Epstein died by suicide in a Manhattan jail in August 2019, dismissing widespread conspiracy theories that he was murdered. They also stated no additional details from the investigation would be disclosed.
Trump has recently intensified efforts to downplay the Epstein case, urging Republican voters not to be distracted by what he describes as politically motivated misinformation. This stance has drawn criticism from parts of his support base, many of whom had expected Trump to confirm various conspiracy theories upon returning to the presidency.
Before last year’s election, Trump pledged to declassify files related to Epstein if re-elected. Pam Bondi also previously vowed to reveal significant details, including names and flight logs linked to the case.
Epstein’s alleged crimes, involving the abuse of underage girls, became public in 2006. He was arrested and later reached a controversial plea deal in 2008 in Florida. Epstein was arrested again in 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges, but was found dead in his jail cell just weeks later.
Although Trump once associated with Epstein socially, he has denied ever visiting the financier’s private estate in the Virgin Islands, where many of the crimes allegedly occurred.
Meanwhile, CNN reports that the Department of Justice does have the authority to ask the court to unseal such documents, but the process could take time due to privacy concerns and other legal considerations.
Trump has also come under pressure following a DOJ and FBI memo that found no evidence supporting claims that Epstein maintained a “client list” or blackmailed high-profile individuals—debunking a widely circulated narrative in political circles.
