Editing Openai/69683f33-018c-800b-835d-41608d476106 (section)

== gpt-5-2 ==
=== User: What Democrat appointed judge’s have halted the release of the Epstein files? ===
What Democrat appointed judge’s have halted the release of the Epstein files?

=== Assistant: Here’s a clear summary of the Democrat-appointed judges who have blocked or denied efforts to release parts of the Jeff… ===
Here’s a clear summary of the ''Democrat-appointed judges'' who have ''blocked or denied'' efforts to release parts of the Jeffrey Epstein files (especially grand jury materials) in recent actions related to unsealing them:

Epstein Files — Judges Halting Release Attempts (major rulings)PBSJudge won't unseal transcripts of grand jury that indicted Epstein ex-girlfriend MaxwellAug 14, 2025<ref>{{cite web|title=PBSJudge won't unseal transcripts of grand jury that indicted Epstein ex-girlfriend MaxwellAug 14, 2025|url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/judge-wont-unseal-transcripts-of-grand-jury-that-indicted-epstein-ex-girlfriend-maxwell|publisher=PBSJudge won't unseal transcripts of grand jury that indicted Epstein ex-girlfriend MaxwellAug 14, 2025|access-date=2026-01-15}}</ref>Courthouse NewsFlorida judge blocks DOJ access to Epstein filesAug 14, 2025<ref>{{cite web|title=Courthouse NewsFlorida judge blocks DOJ access to Epstein filesAug 14, 2025|url=https://www.courthousenews.com/florida-judge-blocks-doj-access-to-epstein-files/|publisher=Courthouse NewsFlorida judge blocks DOJ access to Epstein filesAug 14, 2025|access-date=2026-01-15}}</ref>ABC NewsJudge denies DOJ's request to unseal Epstein grand jury recordsSep 14, 2025<ref>{{cite web|title=ABC NewsJudge denies DOJ's request to unseal Epstein grand jury recordsSep 14, 2025|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/judge-denies-dojs-request-unseal-epstein-records-criminal/story?id=124818529|publisher=ABC NewsJudge denies DOJ's request to unseal Epstein grand jury recordsSep 14, 2025|access-date=2026-01-15}}</ref>
===== ✅ 1. U.S. District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer =====
* Appointed by: President Barack Obama (Democrat).
* Ruling: Denied the Department of Justice’s request to unseal grand jury transcripts connected with the Ghislaine Maxwell case and broader Epstein-related proceedings, saying the materials did not justify breaking grand jury secrecy rules. The Washington Post<ref>{{cite web|title=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/08/11/new-york-judge-denies-release-epstein-related-grand-jury-transcript/|publisher=The Washington Post|date=2025-08-11|access-date=2026-01-15}}</ref>

===== ✅ 2. U.S. District Judge Robin L. Rosenberg =====
* Appointed by: President Barack Obama (Democrat).
* Ruling: In Florida, she blocked the unsealing of grand jury materials from the 2005/2007 Epstein federal grand juries, finding that strict secrecy rules barred disclosure. ABC7 Los Angeles<ref>{{cite web|title=ABC7 Los Angeles|url=https://abc7.com/post/epstein-files-judge-denies-justice-department-request-unseal-grand-jury-records/17261031/|publisher=ABC7 Los Angeles|access-date=2026-01-15}}</ref>

===== ✅ 3. U.S. District Judge Richard M. Berman (initially denied) =====
* Appointed by: President Bill Clinton (Democrat).
* Ruling: At least in earlier rulings, he denied a DOJ motion to unseal grand jury materials related to Epstein’s 2019 federal case, saying that grand jury secrecy wasn’t overridden. Anadolu Ajansı<ref>{{cite web|title=Anadolu Ajansı|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/us-judge-blocks-release-of-epstein-grand-jury-documents/3664976|publisher=Anadolu Ajansı|access-date=2026-01-15}}</ref> - Note: Subsequent reporting indicates courts later ordered release of many materials under the new Epstein Files Transparency Act — but earlier blocks were from this same judge. The Washington Post<ref>{{cite web|title=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/12/10/epstein-files-release-order/|publisher=The Washington Post|date=2025-12-10|access-date=2026-01-15}}</ref>

===== Important Context =====
* These judicial blocking decisions specifically concerned grand jury transcripts or sealed investigations, which are traditionally protected from disclosure unless extraordinary legal standards are met.
* The Epstein Files Transparency Act, passed by Congress and signed into law in November 2025, now requires most Epstein-related documents to be released to the public. This law has changed the legal landscape and led to newer release orders from some judges despite earlier blocks. Wikipedia<ref>{{cite web|title=Wikipedia|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epstein_Files_Transparency_Act|publisher=en.wikipedia.org|access-date=2026-01-15}}</ref>

===== Summary — Democrat-Appointed Judges That Have Halted Epstein Release Attempts =====

| Judge              | Appointed by     | Action                                                                                           |
| ------------------ | ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Paul A. Engelmayer | Barack Obama (D) | Denied unsealing grand jury transcripts related to Epstein/Maxwell 
The Washington Post          |
| Robin L. Rosenberg | Barack Obama (D) | Blocked DOJ request to unseal older Epstein grand jury materials 
ABC7 Los Angeles               |
| Richard M. Berman  | Bill Clinton (D) | Denied at least one request to unseal grand jury material earlier in the process 
Anadolu Ajansı |

If you’d like, I can also briefly explain how the Epstein Files Transparency Act changes these cases and what has been released so far under it.