Leader Schumer Floor Remarks On Joining All Senate Democrats On The Homeland Security And Governmental Affairs Committee In Invoking The “Rule Of Five” To Compel The Department Of Justice To Release The Epstein Files And Be Transparent With The American People
Washington, D.C. – Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) today spoke on the Senate floor on invoking a little-known federal law called the “rule of five,” alongside all Democrats on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, which gives the Senate the power to compel the Department of Justice and FBI to release the complete and total Epstein files. Below are Senator Schumer’s remarks, which can also be viewed here:
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.
This morning, I join all of my Democratic colleagues on the Homeland Security & Governmental 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.
Under federal law, when any five Senators on the Homeland Security & Governmental 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 possession of the Department of Justice or the FBI related to the case United States v. Jeffrey Epstein. 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 15th.
The situation with the Epstein files is very simple: Donald Trump promised transparency, and he has broken that promise.
As a candidate, Donald Trump said, on many occasions, he would release the Epstein files if elected, and yet he has refused to do so.
Over the past few months, FBI Director Kash Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi said they would ensure transparency and release the documents, but they have not done so.
And five months later we have zero answers, only a slew of denials.
Donald Trump was asked earlier this month if he ever had been informed whether or not he was mentioned in the Epstein files, and now we know he lied. He said no, but in fact he was told by the Attorney General in May that he was mentioned.
And when the House of Representatives had an opportunity this month to take a vote on the Epstein files, Speaker Johnson sent everyone scrambling home on an “Epstein Recess,” adjourning the House early.
The pattern is undeniable: every single time Donald Trump, or his administration, or Republican leaders have had a chance to be transparent about the Epstein files, they have chosen to hide.
The president's refusal to be straight with the American people is very disturbing.
His rather desperate-sounding evasions are, frankly, odd. He’ll release the Martin Luther King files, which no one asked for, he’ll accuse President Obama of treason, he’ll say one wild thing after another, but he won’t touch the Epstein topic with a ten-foot pole.
It begs the question: if there's nothing to hide, why all the evasiveness?
So today, Senate Democrats take action. We're invoking federal law and using our authority as a check on the executive to compel transparency.
I urge Republicans to stand up for the oversight powers of Congress and join us in calling for more transparency on the Epstein files.
Because once there is transparency, we can have the truth, and so can the American people.
Donald Trump should stop hiding from the truth. He should stop hiding from the American people.
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