Epstein Victims Condemn DOJ Effort to Unseal Grand Jury Testimony
Two victims of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse have submitted impassioned letters to a federal court, sharply criticizing the U.S. Justice Department’s (DOJ) request to unseal grand jury testimony related to the so‑called “Epstein Files.” Both women, who remain anonymous, say the government’s actions have shown a lack of respect for survivors, and they accuse officials of using the case for political purposes.
The letters, filed Monday, come in response to the DOJ’s July 18 request for a federal judge to authorize the release of grand jury transcripts from the Epstein investigation. Victims in the case were asked to submit their views by August 5.
‘Not Some Pawn in Your Political Warfare’
One victim described the DOJ’s handling of the records as “political warfare,” writing, “Dear United States, I wish you would have handled and would handle the whole ‘Epstein Files’ with more respect towards and for the victims. I am not some pawn in your political warfare. What you have done and continue to do is eating at me day after day as you help to perpetuate this story indefinitely.”
Her statement reflects deep frustration over how the case has been managed in the years since Epstein’s arrest and death, with continued public speculation and political infighting overshadowing the victims’ experiences.
Focus on Protecting ‘Wealthy Men’
The second victim alleged that the DOJ and FBI appear more concerned with shielding influential individuals than supporting survivors. “I feel like the DOJ’s and FBI’s priority is protecting the ‘third-party,’ the wealthy men by focusing on scrubbing their names off the files of which the victims know who they are,” she wrote.
Both letters stop short of explicitly asking Judge Richard Berman of the Southern District of New York to block the release. However, each urges the court to ensure that victims’ identities remain fully protected if the transcripts are made public.
One survivor proposed appointing a neutral third party to review the documents before release to confirm that no information could identify victims. The other called it an “utmost priority” to redact any personal details.
Emotional Appeals to the Court
The letters convey clear exasperation toward the federal government’s actions, though both women emphasized that their frustrations were not directed at Judge Berman personally.
“I appreciate your time reading my short thoughts and feeling and my anxiety and frustration is NOT aimed at you, obviously,” one wrote. “It is aimed at the very government here, the ones asking to release these transcripts, exhibits, etc., of which the victims are not privy to while they have concluded that there is nothing more to see on the files they hold. Yet no one has seen them, but them. I am beside myself.”
Mounting Pressure on the Trump Administration
The push to release the Epstein Files has been a persistent problem for the Trump administration, as calls for transparency have intensified over recent months.
Both the DOJ and FBI have faced logistical and political challenges in deciding how to handle sensitive materials from the investigation. Officials acknowledge that any release would require extensive redactions to protect victims and witnesses.
In February, then–Attorney General Pam Bondi publicly promoted the release of some Epstein documents, distributing binders of material to right‑wing media influencers at the White House. Those recipients criticized the information, claiming much of it was old news.
Despite early promises to release more files, the administration became increasingly silent. CNN later reported that in May, Bondi had briefed President Trump on the contents of the files, telling him his name appeared multiple times.
On July 7, the DOJ released an unsigned memo declaring it would not provide additional information and stating there was no “client list” among the files. That position drew sharp criticism from members of Congress, segments of Trump’s political base, and the public at large.
Court Battles Over Grand Jury Material
The DOJ’s July 18 filing with the Southern District of New York sought to unseal grand jury testimony from the Epstein probe. A similar request in the Southern District of Florida was swiftly denied.
Grand jury proceedings are typically kept secret under federal law, and exceptions are rare. Judges weigh potential public interest against the need to protect witnesses, victims, and the integrity of the judicial process.
Judge Berman has requested that the DOJ provide further justification by Tuesday for why the transcripts should be unsealed. His decision could set an important precedent for how high‑profile cases involving powerful figures are handled when it comes to public disclosure.
Victims’ Fears of Re‑Traumatization
For Epstein’s survivors, the fear is not only about privacy breaches but also the emotional toll of seeing their experiences politicized and sensationalized. The two women who wrote to the court say they have already endured years of public scrutiny, media coverage, and online speculation.
By their account, the government’s approach risks compounding their trauma while benefiting political actors and shielding influential associates of Epstein.
As the legal wrangling continues, the letters stand as a stark reminder that behind the public debate and legal filings are real people whose lives have been profoundly shaped by Epstein’s crimes — and who now feel they are being used as pawns in a broader political chess game.
