This week saw the Department of Justice (DOJ) seek the release of grand jury evidence from a 20-year-old investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Yet in a twist which is sure to disappoint the White House, a federal judge appointed by former President Barack Obama has denied the request. 

Judge says that her "hands are tied"

According to Breitbart, that decision was handed down on Wednesday in the Southern District of Florida by Judge Robin Rosenberg.

In her ruling, Rosenberg pointed to an unrelated 2020 ruling from the Eleventh U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, arguing that it "does not permit" her to proceed.

"Eleventh Circuit law does not permit this Court to grant the Government’s request; the Court’s hands are tied," she maintained.

The Southern District of Florida is not the only place where the DOJ is seeking to have grand jury records made public, as Breitbart reported that Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche filed a similar motion in New York last week.

New York federal judge asks for Blanche for more justification

"At the direction of the Attorney General, the Department of Justice hereby moves the Court to release grand jury transcripts associated with the above referenced indictment," Breitbart quoted the motion as reading.

What's more, Breitbart noted how the deputy attorney general also asked that grand jury material from Ghislaine Maxwell's case be unsealed as well.

In 2022, Maxwell was given a two-decade-long federal prison sentence for her role in helping Epstein to abuse underage girls.

However, Fox News observed that Judge Paul A. Engelmayer responded to Blanche's motion on Tuesday by arguing that the legal standard for unsealing grand jury testimony had not been met and asking him to provide additional justification. 

Report: Blanche met with Maxwell

Meanwhile, the New York Post reported that Blanche met with Maxwell at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Tallahassee, Florida on Thursday.

Blanche indicated earlier this week that he wanted to speak with her in a statement which was posted to social media by Attorney General Pam Bondi.

Statement from @DAGToddBlanche:

This Department of Justice does not shy away from uncomfortable truths, nor from the responsibility to pursue justice wherever the facts may lead. The joint statement by the DOJ and FBI of July 6 remains as accurate today as it was when it was…

— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) July 22, 2025

"President Trump has told us to release all credible evidence," Blanche asserted. "If Ghislane Maxwell has information about anyone who has committed crimes against victims, the FBI and the DOJ will hear what she has to say."