Democrats in the Senate are picking up the baton from their colleagues in the House to keep the Jeffrey Epstein saga in the news cycle and stoke GOP divisions.
A small group of Senate Democrats, led by Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), is invoking a nearly century-old law to try to obtain the Epstein files from the Justice Department in a move that could also splinter Republicans in the upper chamber who’ve largely avoided scrutiny from their conservative base.
“We’re just continuing to keep this in the bloodstream and try to get the transparency that people are asking for,” Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ) told the Washington Examiner.
Kim and other Democrats on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee rely on the little-known “Rule of Five” in a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, an arcane law allowing at least five minority members on the panel to compel related documents and information. Bondi has so far rebuffed bipartisan demands, which are most vocal from President Donald Trump’s MAGA base, to release the files that supposedly detail who was connected to the disgraced financier and convicted child sex offender.
Notably, the maneuver appears to be separate from the rest of Senate Democrats. The caucus did not hold a broader discussion about the tactic, according to Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL). It’s also a strategy that Schumer envisions bogging down the DOJ in a precedent-setting legal battle.
“It’s not a stunt. It’s not symbolic. It’s a formal exercise of congressional power under federal law,” Schumer said, adding Democrats expect documents by Aug. 15 and a briefing by Aug. 29. “We have talked to some of our lawyers, and we will — this can be challenged in the courts.”
The DOJ acknowledged receiving Democrats’ letter but declined to comment. The White House did not respond to a request for comment.
Both parties have tried previously to invoke the “Rule of Five” under past administrations, but there remains little legal precedent. Still, with the administration rebuffing bipartisan demands, it’s clear Democrats see an opportunity to place the spotlight on Republicans in the Senate. The GOP-led House left early for its annual August recess last week with efforts to release the Epstein files paralyzing the chamber.
“What gave this some new life was the apocalyptic reaction of the MAGA base and Trump’s inability to shut them up,” Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT) told the Washington Examiner. “I’m not sure it could’ve happened soon. It’s just controlled by the Trump administration.”
Senate Democrats are also weighing avenues to force additional floor action on the subject, such as during the appropriations process that is now underway. One reported option would be for Democrats to attempt to force politically charged amendment votes.
Separately, Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) has twice sought unanimous consent requests to pass a measure to compel the release of the Epstein files. Both were rejected by Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), who countered with his own resolution targeting Epstein-related grand jury information.
As Democrats try to shift more attention to GOP senators, Republicans have generally sided with Trump’s actions after the uproar over the release of the grand jury testimony in court.
‘NOT A STUNT’: SCHUMER INVOKES RARE ‘RULE OF FIVE’ TO FORCE RELEASE OF EPSTEIN FILES
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) called Democrats’ “Rule of Five” tactic a “stunt” but emphasized his belief that the DOJ “should release all the documents.”
“I don’t think this is a hard call,” Hawley told the Washington Examiner. “I understand that the grand jury stuff, that’s sealed … but I’ve made my views clear to DOJ.”
