Attorney General Pam Bondi has made a significant move in the ongoing Epstein and Maxwell cases. On Friday, she filed a request in federal court to unseal grand jury testimony related to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. This request is now in the hands of Judge Richard M. Berman, who was overseeing Epstein’s case when he died in jail in August 2019.
In the court filing, Bondi emphasized the growing public interest in the investigations. She stated that while the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the FBI stand by their previous conclusions, transparency is crucial. The DOJ is asking the court to release the grand jury transcripts, with certain personal information about victims redacted to protect their identities.
The request follows a directive from President Donald Trump, who urged Bondi to gather all relevant grand jury testimony, pending court approval. Recently, the DOJ concluded that there was no credible evidence to support claims that Epstein maintained a client list or blackmailed influential individuals involved in his crimes. They also reaffirmed that Epstein’s death was ruled a suicide.
Public opinion on the handling of the Epstein case is notably low, with only 17% of Americans approving of Trump’s actions. A recent poll indicated that more than two-thirds of the public believes the government is withholding information about the case. Despite this, Trump continues to enjoy strong support among Republicans, even as Democrats criticize his administration’s approach to the Epstein situation.
Bondi faced backlash after the DOJ’s findings were released, especially after she previously claimed to have Epstein’s client list on her desk. She later clarified that she was reviewing files related to Epstein. Trump has also criticized those focusing on the Epstein matter, suggesting it is a "hoax" pushed by his political opponents.
As the case unfolds, Ghislaine Maxwell is actively pursuing an appeal against her conviction and 20-year prison sentence. The developments in this case continue to attract significant media attention and public scrutiny.