WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, Senate Democrats initiated a relatively obscure legal process aimed at compelling President Donald Trump’s administration to disclose the investigation file pertaining to Jeffrey Epstein, the deceased financier who was also a known Florida sex offender.
In a letter addressed to Attorney General Pam Bondy, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat involved with the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs, requested a “complete Epstein File” by August 15.
“Given your department’s past failures regarding these files, it’s crucial for the Trump administration to ensure full transparency,” the letter stated. In 2024, President Trump had pledged to declassify the Epstein files, and this request was led by Senator Gary Peters from Michigan, who holds a prominent position on the committee.
“I urge you to uphold our commitment to transparency,” the letter continued.
Schumer was joined by co-signers including Senators Richard Blumenthal from Connecticut, Maggie Hassan from New Hampshire, John Fetterman from Pennsylvania, Elissa Slotkin from Michigan, Andy Kim from New Jersey, and Reuben Gallego from Arizona.
Five Senators
Schumer explained that, based on legal provisions, at least five senators must endorse the demand to obligate the committee to act, as discussed during a press conference on Wednesday.
“While it’s vital to protect the identity of victims, the public deserves to know who was involved in one of the most notorious sex trafficking operations in history,” Schumer remarked.
Blumenthal noted that a note and recording from Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche had surfaced and should accompany a request for publication in Tallahassee, Florida related to Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted in 2021 and is currently serving a 20-year sentence for conspiracy involving sex trafficking alongside Epstein.
Along with seeking all investigation materials by mid-August, the senators also asked for briefings from committee staff by August 29.
Schumer mentioned that Democratic members of the committee were “still talking” with their Republican counterparts.
“That might help advance things, but if not, we may need to rely on the courts, which is the law,” Schumer added.
A spokesperson for the Justice Department confirmed receipt of the letter, though they opted not to provide any additional comments.
Ghislaine Maxwell has been summoned
The Justice Department’s recent decision to keep the Epstein files under wraps spurred considerable debate and division among lawmakers and officials linked to Trump’s administration.
James Comer, a Republican congressman from Kentucky, announced that a deposition has been scheduled with Maxwell for August 11, but the committee’s leadership declined to grant her immunity despite requests made earlier this week.
This ongoing discussion led House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana and an ally of Trump, to suggest that the August 6 recess might be cut short to address votes related to the Epstein files.
An unsigned memo from the Justice Department issued on July 7 failed to disclose any pertinent “client list” and stated that further sharing of the investigation materials was not guaranteed.
Subsequent reporting revealed that Bondi had informed Trump in May that his name was mentioned within Epstein’s files, although the specifics of that mention remain unclear.
Additionally, reports surfaced about Trump having sent birthday wishes to Epstein, which depicted a controversial image. Trump, however, has denied the claims and is pursuing legal action against the publication reporting them.
These revelations have intensified calls for the release of the files.
Trump’s Connection to Epstein
Trump told reporters that he distanced himself from Epstein as soon as he became aware of disturbing behavior, referring to a financial operator who reportedly began “taking” workers from a spa.
Virginia Giuffre, who has made allegations against Epstein, claims that she was trafficked as a teenager to notable figures, including Prince Andrew of England, who later settled with her and stepped back from royal duties.
Giuffre has since become a voice for victims of sex trafficking but tragically passed away in April.
The Justice Department concluded that Epstein had victimized over a thousand individuals during his lifetime.
Epstein died by suicide in a New York City jail in August 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.
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