politics
Judges Grant Defense Access to Grand-Jury Records in Trump-Era Cases
Federal judges have begun ordering the release of grand-jury transcripts in several criminal cases brought by the Justice Department. The rulings mark a departure from the traditional presumption that prosecutors act in good faith.
Jun 11, 11:05 AM·1m read1 source
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Federal judges have ordered the release of grand-jury transcripts in multiple criminal cases brought by the Justice Department under the second Trump administration. The orders allow defense lawyers to review sealed records that prosecutors normally keep private. Judges cited concerns over investigative conduct and political pressure when granting the requests.
Fitzpatrick ordered the release of grand-jury materials in the case of James Comey in November 2025. The decision followed a finding of investigative missteps by the prosecutor assigned to the matter. Lawyers for journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort later cited the Comey ruling when they sought similar records in their own cases.
The Southern Poverty Law Center made the same request after facing fraud charges.
In the Broadview Six prosecution, Judge April Perry reviewed grand-jury transcripts after prosecutors reduced charges and dropped two defendants. " The government later dismissed the remaining charges. Judge Perry stated during a hearing that prior trust in government attorneys had been broken.
Selective-Prosecution Ruling Judge Waverly D.
Crenshaw Jr. dismissed charges against Kilmar Abrego Garcia the day after the Broadview Six hearing. The ruling found the charges were likely filed to address an earlier detention error. The Southern Poverty Law Center filed a notice of the Abrego Garcia decision in its own case. Additional motions citing these rulings remain pending before other judges.
