A federal judge in Manhattan has rejected the Trump administration’s request to unseal grand jury transcripts from the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, upholding the principle of grand jury secrecy due to a lack of special circumstances. This decision represents a significant setback for efforts to increase transparency in the high-profile sex trafficking case.
U.S. District Judge Richard Berman, who presided over aspects of the Epstein case, issued the ruling in response to a motion from the Justice Department under President Trump. The department sought the release to address public and political pressure, particularly from Trump’s supporters who have accused the government of a cover-up.
The ruling, delivered on August 20, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, denied the unsealing of transcripts and exhibits from the 2019 grand jury that indicted Epstein. Judge Berman emphasized that grand jury proceedings are traditionally kept confidential to protect victims, prevent targets from fleeing, and maintain investigation integrity, with such requests rarely granted.
This event follows a similar denial on August 11 by another judge regarding grand jury materials in the case of Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s associate who was convicted in 2021. The consistency in these rulings underscores the judiciary’s commitment to grand jury secrecy norms.
Judge Berman justified the decision by stating that the Justice Department failed to demonstrate any ‘special circumstances’ that would override the long-standing precedent of secrecy. He noted that the transcripts contain limited information—hearing from only one witness, an FBI agent—and pale in comparison to the extensive investigation materials already held by the DOJ, which includes documents and interviews promised for public release.
The impact of this ruling is multifaceted: it frustrates the Trump administration’s transparency initiatives and may fuel further speculation and criticism from conspiracy theorists and political bases. However, it reinforces legal protections for sensitive proceedings and individuals involved, upholding judicial norms.
In terms of what’s next, the Justice Department may consider appeals, but given the firm judicial stance, success is unlikely. Attention may shift to other aspects of the Epstein investigation, such as the DOJ’s commitment to releasing additional documents, while the case continues to be a focal point in legal and political discourse.