Justice Department asks court to unseal Jeffrey Epstein grand jury records

Jul 18, 2025, 2:35 PM | Updated: 4:22 pm

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche speaks to the media, Friday, June 27, 2025, in the briefing room of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS

(AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

BY ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON (AP) 鈥� The Justice Department asked a federal court on Friday to unseal grand jury transcripts in Jeffrey Epstein鈥檚 case amid a firestorm over the Trump administration鈥檚 handling of records related to the wealthy financier.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche filed a motion urging the court to release the transcripts a day after President Donald Trump directed the Justice Department to do so.

The Trump administration has been embroiled in controversy since the Justice Department last week announced that it would not be releasing any more evidence in its possession from Epstein鈥檚 investigation.

Trump鈥檚 demand to release the grand jury transcripts came after The Wall Street Journal reported on a sexually suggestive letter that the newspaper says bore Trump鈥檚 name and was included in a 2003 album for Epstein鈥檚 50th birthday.

Trump denied writing the letter, calling it 鈥渇alse, malicious, and defamatory.鈥�

Please follow our Community Guidelines

National News

Gwen Baumgardner

Washington rep. questions Zelenskyy exclusion from US-Russia summit

Debate sparked over Zelenskyy's exclusion from crucial talks between Trump and Putin in US-Russia summit.

1 day ago

Associated Press

Trump says he鈥檚 placing DC police under federal control and deploying National Guard

President Donald Trump聽said Monday he鈥檚 placing the Washington, D.C., police department under federal control and deploying the National Guard to make the nation鈥檚 capital safer.

1 day ago

Associated Press

5 soldiers shot before arrest made at Army鈥檚 Fort Stewart in Georgia

Five soldiers were shot Wednesday at Fort Stewart in Georgia, leading to a lockdown at the Army base before the shooter was arrested, officials said.

6 days ago

Associated Press

Titan sub disaster was caused by weak safety and oversight, Coast Guard says

The Coast Guard said the Titan sub disaster was caused by weak safety and oversight.

7 days ago

Associated Press

Why dozens of Democrats left Texas and how Republicans want to punish them

Dozens of Democratic state lawmakers in Texas have scattered to points across the country.

8 days ago

The U.S. Capitol, Wednesday, July 16, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)Credit...

Associated Press

August recess can’t hide tensions ahead for Congress on spending and Trump nominations

WASHINGTON (AP) 鈥� Lawmakers have left Washington for the annual August recess, but a few weeks of relative quiet on the U.S. Capitol grounds can’t mask the partisan tensions that are brewing on government funding and President Donald Trump’s nominees. It could make for a momentous September. Here’s a look at what’s ahead when lawmakers […]

8 days ago