A federal judge on Friday ordered the grand jury transcripts in convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's trial be unsealed.
Why it matters: The move comes after Congress passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which President Trump signed in November despite his initial opposition.
What they're saying: "The United States seeks to unseal the grand jury materials in this case and publicly release them, as well as lift any preexisting protective orders that would prevent the Department of Justice from releasing the materials," the government argued in the motion, which federal Judge Rodney Smith granted.
The intrigue: The government is typically prohibited from releasing grand jury transcripts to protect victims and maintain case secrecy.
- The administration has pushed to get the records released multiple times this year, but judges have previously blocked those efforts because the "Government failed to show that disclosure was appropriate under any of the exceptions" outlined under federal law, according to Friday's filing.
- However, under the new Epstein Files Transparency Act, Attorney General Pam Bondi is required to make public "'all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials in the possession of the Department of Justice' that relate to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell."
Between the lines: The transcripts could provide additional insight into Epstein's crimes, but the president has the power to release a cache of Epstein-related documents whenever he wants.
- Trump's refusal to do so briefly created a rift between the president and his MAGA base, which has demanded more information about Epstein for years.
What we're watching: The order doesn't specify when the transcripts may be released, but they will be subject to redactions before the public is able to review them.
Go deeper: Dems release never-before-seen images and videos of Epstein Island
