Former President Donald Trump has directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to request the release of grand jury testimony related to Jeffrey Epstein, drawing renewed attention to a case that has long fueled public controversy. Trump made the announcement late Thursday on Truth Social, citing what he described as excessive media coverage and calling the matter a "SCAM" driven by Democrats.
Bondi responded on X shortly after, stating that the government would ask the court the next day to unseal the transcripts. However, any decision to release grand jury material rests with a judge and is unlikely to happen quickly. Federal court rules generally require grand jury proceedings to remain secret unless exceptional circumstances apply.
It's still unclear what specific material the Trump administration intends to make public, or how much of the Epstein case involves grand jury records. Epstein was investigated in Florida in the early 2000s, resulting in a non-prosecution agreement and a state conviction for prostitution. He was later arrested in 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges and died in jail, with the death ruled a suicide. His associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, was later convicted on related charges.
The call for transparency follows a Justice Department memo that concluded Epstein left behind no incriminating client list, did not blackmail powerful people, and died by suicide. The memo was met with skepticism from both political opponents and Trump supporters, some of whom had expected Bondi and others to disclose more about the case.
Legal experts say Trump’s move is highly unusual. Former federal prosecutor Mitchell Epner told CBS News he had never seen anything like it in over 30 years. He noted that the request could involve large volumes of data, including exhibits and testimony. Epner said the process could take weeks or even months.
Some alleged victims or associates may oppose the release, while others may support it. Meanwhile, Trump continues to dismiss conspiracy theories surrounding Epstein’s death, and has denied reports linking him more closely to Epstein, including a disputed letter allegedly signed by Trump.
The final decision on what, if anything, will be released remains with the courts.
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