Trump Seeks Release of Grand Jury Documents in Epstein Case

A photo of Jeffrey Epstein on a television screen at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on July 16.

Photographer: Alex Wroblewski/AFP/Getty Images

US President Donald Trump authorized the Justice Department to seek the release of grand jury testimony from the prosecution of Jeffrey Epstein, bowing to mounting pressure from his supporters for more transparency about the late, disgraced financier.

Trump’s move on Thursday came after the Wall Street Journal published a story alleging that he once sent a suggestive birthday letter to Epstein. The president said the letter was “FAKE” in a social media post. He threatened to sue the paper, its parent company News Corp. and owner Rupert Murdoch, calling the story “false, malicious, and defamatory.”