Overview
- U.S. District Judge Rodney Smith directed the Justice Department to produce specified Epstein-related materials, including federal grand jury transcripts, by December 19.
- The ruling cites a recently enacted federal law that supersedes traditional grand jury secrecy rules to allow disclosure.
- The Justice Department sought unsealing after Congress passed the measure, which President Donald Trump signed on November 19.
- The materials cover proceedings involving Jeffrey Epstein and his alleged accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, with the breadth of release still unclear.
- Political stakes remain high as the files could shed light on Epstein’s connections to influential figures, including questions about ties to Trump.