A federal judge on Wednesday denied the Trump administration’s request to unseal grand jury transcripts related to Jeffrey Epstein’s earlier criminal investigations in South Florida.
U.S. District Judge Robin Rosenberg ruled that the Justice Department’s motion did not meet the legal threshold to override grand jury secrecy protections. The case stems from federal probes into Epstein’s conduct in 2005 and 2007, when the disgraced financier first faced allegations of sexual abuse involving minors.
JUST IN: Obama appointed federal judge Robin L. Rosenberg in Florida has DENIED the DOJ's request to unseal Epstein grand jury files.
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) July 23, 2025
From the NYT: Judge Robin L. Rosenberg wrote that the court’s “hands are tied.” The government had not requested the grand jury’s findings for… pic.twitter.com/VDLHpyf2Wh
The ruling marks the first setback in President Donald Trump’s effort to bring long-sought transparency to the Epstein case. The Justice Department has similar requests pending in New York, where Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell were later charged.
The DOJ argued the disclosures are in the public interest. However, Judge Rosenberg found no exception that would allow release under federal rules.
The administration has vowed to continue pursuing unsealing efforts in other jurisdictions.
