The extraordinary request by the Trump administration to release grand jury transcripts from the Justice Department’s investigation into Ghislaine Maxwell, the predator and longtime confidante of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, was denied by a federal judge in Manhattan on Monday.
Last month, the Justice Department submitted the request, claiming that there was strong public interest in making the data available to the public. It was generally believed that the action was taken to calm mounting public outrage over the administration’s handling of the so-called Epstein files.
Paul Engelmayer, a U.S. District Judge appointed by President Barack Obama, was not persuaded. He stated in a scathing verdict that there were no exceptional circumstances that warranted the confidential proceedings being made public.
According to Engelmayer, the entire idea that the Maxwell grand jury materials would reveal significant new details regarding Epstein and Maxwell’s crimes or the Government’s investigation into them is blatantly untrue, as reported by NPR. “There were no new revelations about Epstein’s clients, no new leads on the source of his wealth, and no insight into the circumstances surrounding his death,” he continued, referring to the files. The judge came to the conclusion that there was nothing there.
While awaiting trial on sex trafficking allegations, Epstein passed away in a federal prison facility in 2019. His death, which was determined to be a suicide, has stoked years of conspiracy theories regarding his network of associates and his mistreatment of young girls.
These views have long been supported by President Trump and a number of high-ranking members in his administration, including FBI Director Kash Patel. Trump, who was close to Epstein, publicly demanded greater openness in the case. However, the FBI and Justice Department issued a document in July denying a number of widely held allegations and declaring that no more information pertaining to Epstein would be made public. Parts of Trump’s MAGA base were incensed by that decision, which prompted new calls for additional disclosures.
The entire situation is a lie, according to Trump on Epstein. It’s merely a means of drawing attention to something completely ridiculous.Twitter: https://vmag9CUGtJ.
Acyn August 6, 2025 (@Acyn)
Trump instructed Attorney General Pam Bondi to work toward the release of grand jury records from the Epstein and Maxwell cases in order to limit the political repercussions. Three federal judges—two in Manhattan and one in Florida—were then petitioned by the agency to unseal the transcripts.
Citing precedent from the 11th Circuit that prohibits the publication of such documents, U.S. District Judge Robin Rosenberg in Florida categorically denied the request. The 2nd Circuit, which governs Engelmayer’s operations in Manhattan, permits the release of grand jury materials only in very specific, uncommon situations. He decided that this case did not meet the criterion.
Legal experts questioned whether the transcripts would have revealed anything significant even if they had been made public. According to court documents, only one FBI agent provided testimony to the grand jury in Epstein’s case. The only witnesses in Maxwell’s case were the same agent and a detective from the New York Police Department.
Thus far, the publication of Ghislaine Maxwell’s grand jury transcripts has been obstructed by two staunch MAGA Republicans.
The peculiar aspect? Both of them were appointed by Obama.TDiIa9OhkA pic.twitter.com/
Bad Hombre August 11, 2025 (@joma_gc)
For helping Epstein abuse young girls, Maxwell is presently serving a 20-year prison term.
The decision coincides with recent behind-the-scenes developments. Maxwell spoke with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, a longtime Trump personal lawyer, regarding Epstein behind closed doors late last month. The Justice Department has not disclosed what was discussed, who else attended, or whether the meeting produced any new leads.
Judge Engelmayer’s ruling essentially ends Trump’s well-publicized campaign for these records in New York for the time being, depriving the administration of one of the instruments it had intended to employ to calm criticism of its treatment of the Epstein case.
