WASHINGTON
US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Wednesday that Senate Democrats will invoke a century-old law to force the release of the full files of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
"Today, Senate Democrats take additional action to try and uncover the truth about the Epstein files.
"This morning, I join all of my Democratic colleagues on the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee in invoking a century-old law known as the 'Rule of Five' to compel the Department of Justice to release the full and complete Epstein files, which to date, of course, they have refused to be transparent about," Schumer said from the Senate floor.
Schumer said that under federal law, when any five senators on the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee demand that the executive branch release investigative documents, "they must comply."
"Our request covers all documents, files, evidence, or other materials in the possession of the Department of Justice or the FBI related to the case of United States versus Jeffrey Epstein," he added.
The senators expect the Trump administration to provide the documents by Aug. 15, said Schumer.
He said President Donald Trump repeatedly assured voters he would release the files but has done nothing in the months since taking office.
He also slammed Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel for failing to follow through -- and criticized House Speaker Mike Johnson for abruptly adjourning the lower chamber rather than allowing a vote to compel transparency.
"It begs the question, if there's nothing to hide, why the evasiveness?
"Today, Senate Democrats take action. We're invoking federal law and using our authority as a check on the executive to compel transparency," Schumer said, urging Republicans to join the call for more transparency on the Epstein files.
"Donald Trump should stop hiding from the truth. He should stop hiding from the American people," he added.
- 'One of the most heinous sex trafficking operations in history'
The Justice Department's public determination earlier this month that Epstein was not murdered in his jail cell in 2019, and its claim that he had no "client list," has set off the largest rift with Trump's MAGA, or Make America Great Again, base.
While his base and much of the public favor a full release of the Epstein case files, masking the names of his victims, Trump has brushed aside such demands, calling the matter unimportant.
Epstein mingled with the wealthy and powerful, including prominent politicians, for decades before he pleaded guilty in 2008 to felony solicitation and procuring a person under the age of 18 for prostitution.
Trump's MAGA allies have for years loudly clamored for the release of the government's Epstein records as they speculate that the files incriminate high-profile individuals.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the Justice Department has a “truckload” of documents related to Epstein in its possession.
Later, speaking at a news conference, Schumer said the public has a right to know "who enabled, knew of, or participated in one of the most heinous sex trafficking operations in history."
Schumer said their letter to the Department of Justice requested it turn over all documents related to Epstein "matters."
"Today's letter matters. It's not a stunt, it's not symbolic, it's a formal exercise of congressional power under federal law," he said.
Sen. Gary Peters, for his part, said American people want and deserve "transparency" from their elected officials on the campaign trail.
"This letter demands that the Justice Department produce documents that Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel have already publicly confirmed they have in their possession," Peters told the reporters.
It should be "pretty easy" to turn over documents that are sitting on Bondi's desk.
"It's certainly disappointing that we have to take this action to hold President Trump to his word, but we believe that providing this transparency is what is best for the American people," he added.
