Judge Berman clears Wednesday release of Epstein 2019 grand‑jury transcripts under new law
U.S. District Judge Richard M. Berman on Wednesday reversed his earlier ruling and cleared the Justice Department to unseal roughly 70 pages of grand‑jury transcripts from the 2019 Jeffrey Epstein probe, concluding the new Epstein Files Transparency Act changes the secrecy calculus while requiring redactions to protect victims and ongoing investigations. DOJ had sought an expedited ruling to meet the law’s Dec. 19 deadline and argued the transcripts—which Berman noted contain mostly hearsay from an FBI agent who testified in June–July 2019—should be produced; the decision comes alongside parallel unsealing orders in New York and Florida.
📌 Key Facts
- Rep. Adelita Grijalva was sworn in after a roughly 50-day delay, immediately became the 218th signer of a bipartisan discharge petition (joined by all Democrats and four Republicans — Thomas Massie, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Lauren Boebert and Nancy Mace) that forced a House floor vote to release Jeffrey Epstein–related records.
- House leaders who initially resisted the effort (including Speaker Mike Johnson and the White House) reversed course after pressure and President Trump’s public shift, and the House passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act overwhelmingly (reported 427–1) before the Senate cleared it by unanimous consent.
- President Trump signed the measure into law; the statute directs the Attorney General, FBI and U.S. Attorneys’ offices to publish within 30 days (statutory deadline cited as Dec. 19 in coverage) unclassified records related to Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, in a searchable format, while allowing narrowly tailored redactions.
- The law prohibits withholding material for reasons of 'embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity' but expressly exempts and permits redactions for victims’ personally identifiable information, child sexual‑abuse materials, classified national‑security information and material that could jeopardize active investigations or prosecutions.
- The Justice Department filed expedited motions in multiple courts arguing the new law overrides grand‑jury secrecy and asked judges to unseal grand‑jury transcripts, discovery and other investigative materials; federal judges (including Paul Engelmayer in the Maxwell matter and Richard Berman in SDNY for the 2019 Epstein case) granted requests to release many categories of records and cleared about 70 pages of 2019 grand‑jury material for public release with required redactions.
- DOJ and prosecutors outlined categories to be released (search warrants, financial records, survivor interview notes, electronic device data, flight logs/travel records, detention/death records, internal communications, and materials about any destruction or concealment), said they will consult survivors and redact identifying information, and estimated the total collection is on the order of tens of thousands to roughly 100,000 pages.
- Survivors, advocates and a bipartisan group of lawmakers pressed for full disclosure throughout; some victims’ attorneys urged transparency while others and Maxwell’s counsel warned broad disclosure could prejudice future proceedings — prompting courts to set briefing schedules (responses due in early December and DOJ replies soon after) before rulings on what will be released.
- Senate Democrats asked the Justice Department Inspector General to audit the chain of custody and handling of the materials before public posting amid allegations about large‑scale internal reviews at DOJ and the FBI; lawmakers and survivor attorneys also warned that new DOJ investigations or protective‑order claims could be used to narrow or delay disclosures under the law’s investigation/national‑security exceptions.
📊 Relevant Data
In a review of suspected human trafficking incidents across the US, 40% of sex trafficking victims were identified as Black women, despite Black people comprising approximately 13.6% of the US population.
Snapshot on the State of Black Women and Girls: Sex Trafficking in the United States — Congressional Black Caucus Foundation
Black children represent 53% of all juvenile prostitution arrests nationally, despite Black people comprising approximately 13.6% of the US population.
Snapshot on the State of Black Women and Girls: Sex Trafficking in the United States — Congressional Black Caucus Foundation
In 2022, 53% of defendants charged with peonage, slavery, forced labor, and sex trafficking in US district courts were Black, despite Black people comprising approximately 13.6% of the US population.
Human Trafficking Data Collection Activities, 2024 — Bureau of Justice Statistics
Black children make up 23% of the US foster care system, despite comprising 14% of the US child population, and foster children are more vulnerable to sex trafficking due to factors like sexual abuse and homelessness.
Snapshot on the State of Black Women and Girls: Sex Trafficking in the United States — Congressional Black Caucus Foundation
📊 Analysis & Commentary (4)
Why Trump can never win on Epstein
"POLITICO's Playbook argues that Trump’s abrupt flip to back releasing the Epstein files has made passage likely but won’t save him politically — legal exceptions and persistent conspiracy beliefs mean the White House will remain exposed even if documents are handed over."
Tuesday discussion post
"The Slow Boring post comments on the House’s near‑unanimous 427–1 passage of a bill forcing release of Epstein‑related records (noting Clay Higgins as the lone dissenter) and contrasts that accountability moment with President Trump’s high‑profile meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, framing the vote as a major bipartisan push for transparency amid competing presidential priorities."
Is Trump Starting to Correct His Course?
"Karl Rove’s brief commentary highlights President Trump’s about‑face on the bipartisan Epstein‑records bill as a welcome example of ‘correcting course,’ framing the reversal as a positive, pragmatic political turn."
Jeffrey Epstein: A comprehensive timeline
"A Slow Boring timeline and deep‑dive that welcomes the Epstein Files Transparency Act but warns Trump’s signature and the 30‑day deadline won’t necessarily produce full, unredacted public records—context, redactions, and political spin will determine what the public actually learns."
📰 Sources (62)
Democrats ask for audit to determine if Epstein files haven't been "tampered with"
New information:
- Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats, including Sen. Adam Schiff and Sen. Dick Durbin, asked the DOJ Inspector General to audit the Epstein files’ chain of custody to ensure no tampering before release.
- The lawmakers requested the IG publicly release the audit’s results by Jan. 19 and answer how many individuals have had custody of the materials.
- The letter cites allegations that AG Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel ordered a large-scale review of Epstein records, involving around 1,000 FBI personnel working 24-hour shifts to identify mentions of President Trump.
- Survivor attorney Spencer Kuvin urged third‑party verification to confirm records have not been altered or removed before public release.
- DOJ and the IG’s office declined to comment to CBS News.
Fox News Politics Newsletter: DOJ cleared to release Epstein grand jury materials
New information:
- U.S. District Judge Richard Berman reversed an earlier decision and cleared DOJ to release roughly 70 pages of 2019 Epstein grand‑jury transcripts on Wednesday.
- Berman had cautioned the materials contain little new information.
- Separately, Judge Paul Engelmayer granted DOJ’s motion to unseal grand‑jury transcripts and exhibits in Ghislaine Maxwell’s case (identifying the judge overseeing that NY unsealing).
Judge says Justice Department can unseal records from Epstein’s 2019 sex trafficking case
New information:
- Judge Richard M. Berman reversed his earlier decision and approved unsealing of about 70 pages from the 2019 Epstein grand jury under the new law.
- DOJ informed the court the only grand jury witness was an FBI agent whose testimony was mostly hearsay; the agent testified on June 18 and July 2, 2019.
- The July 2, 2019 grand jury session ended with a vote to indict Epstein.
- Berman’s order stresses compliance with the law’s privacy provisions and redaction of victims’ names and identifying information.
- Contextual update: a separate Manhattan judge ordered release of Maxwell 2021 records on Tuesday; a Florida judge approved unsealing of 2000s Epstein grand jury transcripts last week.
Federal judge orders unsealing of more Epstein files in New York
New information:
- U.S. District Judge Richard Berman (SDNY) ordered unsealing of grand-jury materials and investigative records from DOJ’s 2019 Epstein probe.
- Berman’s ruling makes him the third federal judge in a week to grant DOJ requests under the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
- A separate New York judge on Tuesday ordered unsealing of a 'voluminous' set of Maxwell grand-jury transcripts and evidence.
- All orders require redaction of victims’ identities; DOJ faces a Dec. 19 statutory deadline to release specified files.
Judge grants Justice Department request to release Ghislaine Maxwell records in sex trafficking case
New information:
- Judge Paul A. Engelmayer granted the DOJ’s request to publicly release investigative materials from the Ghislaine Maxwell case under the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
- Records may be released within 10 days to meet the law’s Dec. 19 public-release deadline.
- This is the second judicial green light; a Florida judge last week allowed release of transcripts from an abandoned 2000s Epstein grand jury probe, while a request to release records from Epstein’s 2019 case remains pending.
- DOJ outlined 18 categories of materials (e.g., search warrants, financial records, survivor interview notes, electronic device data) and said it will consult survivors and redact identifying information.
- Maxwell took no position but warned broad disclosure could prejudice a potential retrial if a future habeas petition succeeded; the Epstein estate took no position; accuser Annie Farmer signaled caution about how releases proceed.
Ghislaine Maxwell plans to ask judge to free her from prison, and she'll represent herself, lawyer says
New information:
- Maxwell plans to file a habeas corpus petition pro se (self‑represented) seeking release from prison, according to a letter from her attorney David Oscar Markus to Judge Paul Engelmayer.
- In the letter, Maxwell does not take a position on DOJ’s request to unseal grand jury transcripts under the new Epstein Transparency Act but argues releasing those materials now could prejudice a fair retrial if her habeas succeeds.
- The article reports Maxwell was transferred to Federal Prison Camp Bryan in Texas earlier this year after agreeing to be interviewed by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.
- Victim Annie Farmer, via attorney Sigrid McCawley, filed support for the government’s move to unseal grand jury transcripts and other evidence.
A vocal Jeffrey Epstein accuser is urging judges to unseal his court records
New information:
- Epstein accuser Annie Farmer, via attorney Sigrid S. McCawley, filed a letter urging judges to grant DOJ’s request to unseal records, arguing 'only transparency is likely to lead to justice' and warning against orders that could be used as a pretext to withhold information.
- Ghislaine Maxwell’s lawyer David Markus told the court Maxwell 'does not take a position' after passage of the transparency law but argues unsealing now would cause 'undue prejudice' to a potential retrial and noted he is preparing a habeas petition.
- Judge Paul A. Engelmayer set the schedule: victims and Maxwell responses due by Wednesday, Dec. 3; DOJ responses due by Dec. 10, with a ruling to follow 'promptly thereafter.'
- The article reiterates the Transparency Act’s Dec. 19 statutory deadline for DOJ, FBI and federal prosecutors to release Epstein-related records.
Dozens of Epstein Victims’ Names Exposed in Files Released by Congress
New information:
- Victims' attorneys asked two federal judges tied to the Epstein/Maxwell prosecutions to ensure privacy safeguards as DOJ prepares additional releases.
- The move underscores a legal dispute over the scope and redactions for upcoming DOJ document disclosures.
Government push to unseal court records offers clues about what could be in the Epstein files
New information:
- DOJ filed its letter listing categories it seeks to unseal from Maxwell’s case: search warrants, financial records, survivor interview notes, electronic device data, and material from prior Florida investigations.
- DOJ says it is conferring with survivors and will redact to protect identities and prevent dissemination of sexualized images.
- The four-page filing is signed by U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton, AG Pam Bondi, and Deputy AG Todd Blanche.
- Judge Richard M. Berman gave DOJ until Monday to provide detailed descriptions of records he will review in camera.
- DOJ is asking judges to reconsider August denials of unsealing grand jury materials, arguing the new law requires publishing grand jury and discovery materials.
- The Epstein Files Transparency Act requires a searchable public release of files by Dec. 19.
Judge gives Justice Department a day to detail Ghislaine Maxwell trial materials to be released
New information:
- Judge Paul A. Engelmayer ordered DOJ to file by noon Wednesday (Nov. 26) a letter detailing which Maxwell case materials under prior secrecy orders it intends to make public.
- Engelmayer reiterated briefing: victims/Maxwell responses due Dec. 3 and DOJ reply due Dec. 10, with a ruling to follow promptly.
- In the separate Epstein case, Judge Richard M. Berman set a parallel schedule: victims and Epstein’s estate must respond by Dec. 3, and DOJ must reply by Dec. 8.
- DOJ’s request covers grand jury records, exhibits, and discovery materials and is aimed at meeting the Epstein Files Transparency Act’s Dec. 19 deadline for searchable releases.
DOJ files motion to unseal Epstein docs in latest step toward release
New information:
- In the Maxwell case, the judge set a briefing schedule: Maxwell’s position due Dec. 3; victims may submit letters by Dec. 3; DOJ response due Dec. 10.
- DOJ is also asking to lift or modify protective orders blocking release of discovery materials, not just grand jury records.
- DOJ argues the new Epstein Files Transparency Act expressly overrides grand jury secrecy provisions and prior court denials.
- The judge acknowledged the law’s 30‑day deadline for Attorney General Pam Bondi to release unclassified materials.
DOJ renews request to unseal Jeffrey Epstein grand jury materials
New information:
- SDNY U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton signed the renewed submission in Manhattan federal court seeking an expedited ruling.
- DOJ argues Congress’s new law overrides existing grand jury secrecy rules and compels release within 30 days of the president’s signature.
- Judge Richard Berman’s August denial is detailed: DOJ already has ~100,000 pages of files versus roughly 70 pages of grand jury materials; he called the GJ content a hearsay snippet.
- Specifics of the 2019 grand jury: the only live witness was an FBI agent with mostly hearsay testimony on June 18 and July 2, 2019; the presentation also included a PowerPoint and a call log; grand jurors voted to indict on July 2.
Trump signs bill to release Epstein files, but it's not clear how much will be made public
New information:
- CBS reiterates the statute requires DOJ to release all unclassified Epstein-related materials within 30 days, not just court-sealed grand jury items.
- Adds that AG Pam Bondi can redact material that could identify victims or jeopardize ongoing investigations, clarifying the redaction scope beyond victim identities.
DOJ revives push to release Epstein grand jury records
New information:
- DOJ filed a Friday motion arguing the Epstein Files Transparency Act does not exempt all grand jury transcripts and requires their public production.
- Assistant U.S. Attorney Manolo Reboso is the filer, asserting disclosure is mandated, with appropriate redactions for victims and PII.
- DOJ requested an expedited ruling to meet the mid-December 30-day deadline set by the Act.
- The filing follows earlier defeats in Florida and New York where judges said DOJ hadn’t met the high bar to unseal grand jury materials; DOJ now says the new law changes the calculus.
- Trump publicly urged AG Pam Bondi to produce pertinent grand jury testimony, subject to court approval.
Trump caps week of surprises — signing release of Epstein files, embracing unlikely allies at White House
New information:
- Trump’s Truth Social post claims DOJ has already turned over 'close to fifty thousand pages' of Epstein-related documents to Congress.
- Trump publicly credits Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune for swift passage at his request.
- Confirms House vote tally (421–1) and that the Senate cleared the measure by unanimous consent on Tuesday.
WATCH LIVE: White House holds news briefing after Trump signs release of Epstein files
New information:
- The law bars DOJ from withholding Epstein records due to 'embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity.'
- Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.) was the lone House 'no' vote, citing concerns about releasing information on innocent people.
- The White House summoned Rep. Lauren Boebert to the Situation Room last week to discuss the bill; she did not change her support.
- White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt scheduled a briefing for 1 p.m. ET following the signing.
- Trump posted that Democrats were using the issue as a distraction and said he reversed course to keep focus on GOP 'victories.'
Fighting it for months, Trump signs bill to release Jeffrey Epstein case files
New information:
- Identifies Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.) as the lone House 'no' vote on the bill (427–1).
- Reports the administration summoned Rep. Lauren Boebert to the Situation Room last week to discuss the measure before passage.
- Includes Trump’s stated rationale for his U‑turn in social posts, saying the issue had become a distraction from GOP priorities.
- Specifies the law compels release of all Epstein-related files and communications, including information about the 2019 prison‑death investigation.
Trump signs Epstein files bill, but some key details could be withheld
New information:
- CBS reports the administration has launched investigations that could allow DOJ to withhold or delay some information under the law’s exceptions.
- Specifies potential release contents including flight logs, witness interviews, and details of immunity deals.
- Reiterates Attorney General Pam Bondi’s 30‑day deadline to release unclassified records and investigative materials.
What's next now that Trump has signed a bill releasing the Epstein files
New information:
- Sen. Chuck Schumer said the law is a 'command' for full transparency and warned Democrats will push back against any noncompliance.
- Attorney General Pam Bondi said DOJ will follow the law with 'maximum transparency' while protecting victims.
- A federal judge has estimated the records total around 100,000 pages.
- President Trump reversed prior opposition and signed the bill, and framed Democrats as exploiting the issue in a social media post.
- Article specifies exemptions including victims' personally identifiable information, child sexual abuse materials, classified national security information, and materials that could jeopardize active investigations/prosecutions.
Trump says he's signed bill to release Epstein files
New information:
- President Trump says he has signed the Epstein files bill into law.
- The law requires DOJ to release Epstein-related files within 30 days of enactment.
- Trump announced the signing in a Truth Social post and referenced prominent Democrats.
+ 42 more sources