[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 131 (Wednesday, July 30, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Page S4858]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                            Jeffrey Epstein

  Mr. President, 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. This morning, I join all of my 
Democratic colleagues on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs 
Committee in invoking a century-old law known as the ``rule of 5'' 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 and 
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 the possession of the 
Department of Justice or the FBI related to the case of 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 15.
  The situation with the Epstein files is very simple. Donald Trump 
promised transparency, and he has broken that promise. As a candidate, 
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 5 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 will release the Martin Luther King files, which no one asked for; 
he will accuse President Obama of treason; he will say one wild thing 
after another, but he won't touch the Epstein topic with a 10-foot 
pole. It begs the question: If there is nothing to hide, why all of the 
evasiveness?
  So, today, Senate Democrats take action. We are 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.