Senate passes Epstein Files Transparency Act unanimously as DOJ releases partial file but Rule 6(e) shields grand jury materials

The U.S. Senate passes the Epstein Files Transparency Act unanimously, directing the Department of Justice to release records from its Epstein investigations. DOJ releases a partial file including FBI reports and correspondence, but withholds grand jury materials under Rule 6(e) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, which prohibits disclosure of grand jury proceedings, testimony, and records without a court order. MuckRock and the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press challenge classification of internal Office of Professional Responsibility records, arguing they are being improperly shielded as grand jury materials when they are in fact attorney work product subject to FOIA. The disclosures reveal internal DOJ emails showing awareness of the scope of Epstein's conduct during the 2007 NPA negotiations.