Schumer, Dems invoke nearly century-old law to force DOJ to release Epstein files

Senate Democrats have turned to a “century-old law” in an effort to “compel” the Department of Justice to release all of the files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) announced Wednesday that he and his committee colleagues were invoking the “Rule of Five” to force President Donald  Trump’s Justice Department to make the “full and complete” Epstein files public.

“Now I come to the floor this morning with some news. Today, Senate Democrats take additional action to try and uncover the truth about the Epstein files,” Schumer said on Wednesday from the Senate floor.

.@SenSchumer: “Today Senate Democrats take additional action to try and uncover the truth about the Epstein files … We expect the Trump administration to provide these documents by August the 15th.” pic.twitter.com/sHeYpuD6sM

— CSPAN (@cspan) July 30, 2025

“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.

“Under federal law, when any five senators on the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee call on the executive branch to 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 continued.

“This includes records and documents related to Epstein and his clients, while ensuring that the private information of any victims is protected. We expect the Trump administration to provide these documents by August the 15th,” the New York Democrat added.

DONALD TRUMP BROKE HIS PROMISE ON THE EPSTEIN FILES.

He’s hiding them.

And his evasions are getting desperate.

Today, we’re taking action.

We’re using a legal tool to force Trump to release the Epstein Files to us. pic.twitter.com/xpuIFREJbg

— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) July 30, 2025

Schumer elaborated on the announcement during a later press conference.

“While protecting the victims’ identities can and must be of top importance, 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, never explaining why he and his colleagues did not press then-President Joe Biden on the matter during the last four years.

“Donald Trump campaigned on releasing the Epstein files. He broke that promise,” the top Senate Democrat continued. “Trump should stop hiding from the truth. He should stop hiding from the American people. So today, Senate Democrats took action. We’re invoking federal law and using our authority as a check on the executive to compel transparency.”

(Video Credit: Associated Press)

“It’s not a stunt. It’s not symbolic. It’s a formal exercise of congressional power under federal law. And we expect an answer from DOJ by August the 15th,”  he said. “That’s what accountability looks like. This is what oversight looks like. And this is what keeping your promises to the American people look like.”

He also had a direct message for Senate Republicans.

“If you believe in transparency, if you believe Congress has a role to play in checking the executive, join us. Join us in calling for more transparency on the Epstein files, because once there’s transparency, the truth emerges,” Schumer said.

The senator has been posting videos and messages on social media focused on the Epstein files.

Chuck Schumer is making the entire Democrat Party agenda about the Epstein files.

The same files Democrats had access to for four years under Biden yet did nothing with them.

Schumer is not a serious person and neither are his Democrat colleagues.pic.twitter.com/nFC85e42Oh

— Paul A. Szypula (@Bubblebathgirl) July 26, 2025

Senior Staff Writer
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.

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