The Trump administration expressed disappointment after a federal judge denied the Justice Department's request to unseal grand jury materials from Ghislaine Maxwell's sex trafficking case.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt characterized the judicial decision as "unfortunate" during Tuesday's briefing with reporters. According to Fox News, U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer rejected the Justice Department's motion on Monday, ruling that the documents do not contain significant undisclosed information about crimes or investigations.
Leavitt emphasized that the administration sought to unseal the information because President Trump has publicly stated his desire to see credible evidence released. She deferred questions about potential appeals to the Department of Justice while reaffirming the White House's commitment to transparency in the Epstein case.
Judge Engelmayer detailed his reasoning in a comprehensive 31-page opinion that outlined two key features of the grand jury evidence. The judge explained that the grand juries were not used for investigative purposes and did not hear testimony from firsthand witnesses to relevant events.
The grand jury proceedings included no testimony from victims, eyewitnesses, suspects, or even records custodians, according to the judicial ruling. Instead, the grand juries met for the routine purpose of returning indictments after hearing evidence for only one day each.
Law enforcement officers served as the only witnesses during the grand jury proceedings. The judge noted that the evidence presented to Maxwell's grand juries is already part of the public record with only minor exceptions.
President Trump previously expressed support for Attorney General Pam Bondi releasing credible files from Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking case. The president indicated that decisions about releasing information would ultimately rest with Bondi, stating she should release whatever evidence she considers credible.
The administration's push for transparency represents a continuation of Trump's campaign promises to expose details about the Epstein network. The Justice Department's unsuccessful motion to unseal grand jury materials reflected this broader transparency initiative.
White House officials emphasized their commitment to providing the American public with access to credible evidence related to the high-profile case. The administration's criticism of the judicial ruling signals potential future efforts to obtain similar disclosures through alternative legal channels.
Ghislaine Maxwell received a 20-year federal prison sentence in June 2022 for her role in helping Jeffrey Epstein recruit and abuse underage girls. Her conviction covered activities that occurred between 1994 and 2004 as part of Epstein's extensive sex trafficking operation.
Both Epstein and Maxwell faced federal sex trafficking charges stemming from years of systematic abuse of minors. Epstein died by suicide in federal custody in 2019 before his case could proceed to trial.
The Justice Department had also sought to unseal additional evidence presented as exhibits to the grand jurors. These materials were expected to include more names than have been publicly associated with the case in criminal and civil proceedings.
Judge Engelmayer denied the government's request for exhibits in addition to rejecting the motion for grand jury transcripts. The ruling effectively blocks public access to potentially significant evidence that could reveal new details about the Epstein network.
Legal experts suggest the administration may explore alternative avenues for obtaining disclosure of Epstein-related materials. The White House's public criticism of the judicial decision indicates continued pressure for transparency in high-profile cases involving public figures.
The denial of the unsealing request represents a setback for transparency advocates seeking comprehensive disclosure of evidence related to the Epstein case. However, the administration's stated commitment to releasing credible evidence suggests ongoing efforts to provide public access to relevant information through other legal mechanisms.
