A federal judge is seeking more information before he decides on the Trump administration’s request to release Epstein grand jury testimony.
While Judge Richard Berman intends to rule quickly, he indicated in a Tuesday order that the government needs to supply more legal arguments and clarification on what transcripts should be unsealed before he can proceed.
Exemptions to the general rule that grand jury proceedings remain secret were not invoked in the government’s initial motion, Berman wrote, asking the administration to make these arguments in a 25-page memo due July 29. (RELATED: DOJ Seeks Meeting With Ghislaine Maxwell For ‘All Credible Evidence’ On Epstein)
“In light of grand jury secrecy and victim-related issues and other personal identifying information concerns, the Government is directed to file, on the public record, a redacted version, and to file under seal the memorandum in redacted form,” he wrote.
Berman also requested submissions from a representative of Epstein and from victims stating their positions on disclosure by August 5th.
Judge Paul Engelmayer, who is overseeing Ghislaine Maxwell’s case, also indicated on Tuesday that he would rule “expeditiously” once he receives more information, including submissions from Maxwell and victims.
The DOJ petitioned to unseal the grand jury transcripts on Friday at the request of President Donald Trump.
“Based on the ridiculous amount of publicity given to Jeffrey Epstein, I have asked Attorney General Pam Bondi to produce any and all pertinent Grand Jury testimony, subject to Court approval. This SCAM, perpetuated by the Democrats, should end, right now,” Trump wrote July 17 on Truth Social.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said separately Tuesday that he intends to meet with Maxwell to discuss her affiliation with Epstein.
A DOJ memo released to Axios July 6 stated Epstein had no client list and died by suicide, prompting immediate backlash.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
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