Senate Democrats Use Rare Law to Demand Epstein File Release

• Jul 30, 2025

Senate Democrats are pushing the Justice Department to release all Jeffrey Epstein-related files using a rarely invoked federal law, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced on Wednesday.

Speaking on the Senate floor, Schumer said the move is aimed at forcing transparency from the executive branch regarding the Epstein case. He explained that Democrats will invoke Section 2954, a nearly 100-year-old law also known as the “Rule of Five,” to demand the release of what they call the “full and complete Epstein files.”

Section 2954, enacted in 1928, allows any five members of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs to formally request information from a federal agency about matters within the committee’s jurisdiction. This rule gives minority party members the power to make such requests without needing approval from the committee’s leadership. Although rarely used, it provides a tool for congressional oversight—even when a party is in the minority.

The renewed push comes in the wake of a controversial internal review by the Justice Department, which concluded there was no client list or proof that Epstein blackmailed powerful individuals. That report angered many supporters of former President Donald Trump and sparked calls from both Democrats and Republicans for greater transparency.

Schumer directly criticized Trump, accusing him of breaking past promises to make the Epstein files public. “The situation with the Epstein files is very simple—Donald Trump promised transparency and he has broken that promise,” Schumer said. “As a candidate, Trump said on many occasions he would release the Epstein files if elected, and yet he has refused to do so.”

He also accused Republicans of avoiding the issue: “If there’s nothing to hide, why all the evasiveness?”

The “Rule of Five” has only been used a handful of times, including a 2017 attempt to obtain records related to Trump’s lease of the Old Post Office building in Washington, D.C., and a 2001 effort to access documents about the 2000 census under President George W. Bush. Legal experts remain uncertain whether courts would enforce this law if the Justice Department refuses to comply.

According to Schumer, the request seeks “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 v. Jeffrey Epstein.” He emphasized that the request also aims to protect the private information of victims.

Democrats expect a response from the Justice Department by August 15.