In a bold move, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced Monday he is pushing a resolution that would direct the Senate to initiate legal action against the Department of Justice for its refusal to release the complete Jeffrey Epstein files. Schumer said on X that “The law Congress passed is crystal clear: release the Epstein files in full so Americans can see the truth,” and added, “Instead, the Trump Department of Justice dumped redactions and withheld the evidence – that breaks the law.”
The Legal Mandate
The law, signed by President Donald Trump on November 19, requires the attorney general to make publicly available in a searchable and downloadable format all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials in the DOJ’s possession related to Epstein. The statute gives the DOJ 30 days to release the material, covering all investigations, prosecutions, or custodial matters.
Redactions and the DOJ’s Partial Release
On Friday, the DOJ released only a portion of its investigative files on Epstein and co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell. The released documents were heavily redacted, and the public received a fraction of the files. The redactions were described as abnormal and extreme, with no explanation given for the omissions.
Victims Demand Congressional Oversight
A group of Epstein victims issued a statement Monday urging lawmakers to intervene. The statement read, “The public received a fraction of the files, and what we received was riddled with abnormal and extreme redactions with no explanation. At the same time, numerous victim identities were left unredacted, causing real and immediate harm.” The victims also said the DOJ “violated the law,” and urged “immediate congressional oversight, including hearings, formal demands for compliance, and legal action, to ensure the Department of Justice fulfills its legal obligations.”
DOJ’s Response and Redaction Policy
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche acknowledged in a Fox News interview that the DOJ had not met the December 19 deadline to make all the information public. He explained that the department was still working to redact information to protect victims’ identities, as required by the new law. Blanche also said, “The Department is required by law to redact identifying information about the victims, minors, or potential victims, as well as privileged material. NO redactions have been or will be made to protect famous individuals or politically exposed persons.” He added that he expects the entirety of the files to be public in two weeks.
Trump’s Comments and Photo Removal
President Donald Trump said Monday he would support releasing the files and accused Democrats of orchestrating a “hoax” to distract the public from Republican wins. The DOJ defended its rollout of heavily redacted files and the removal of several photographs, one of which included pictures of Trump. The department explained that the photo was temporarily removed after the Southern District of New York flagged it for potential further action to protect victims. “After the review, it was determined there is no evidence that any Epstein victims are depicted in the photograph, and it has been reposted without any alteration or redaction,” the DOJ posted on X.
Congressional Action in the House
Schumer also pushed for a quick vote on the House-passed bill that would force the DOJ to release its records. Representatives Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna, who co-authored the bill, said over the weekend they plan to take action in the House as well. Massie told CBS’s “Face the Nation” that “The quickest way, and I think most expeditious way, to get justice for these victims is to bring inherent contempt against Pam Bondi.”
DOJ’s Review Process
In a fact sheet released by the DOJ, the department said it “has more than 200 lawyers working around the clock reviewing each individual file for release.” The review is described as arduous, as each document and photograph must be individually examined by the DOJ and the Southern District of New York for potential redactions.
Schumer’s Timeline for Senate Action
Schumer will force consideration of the resolution in January when the Senate reconvenes. The Senate returns from recess on Monday, January 5, and Schumer plans to push the measure forward at that time.
Key Takeaways
- Schumer is urging a Senate resolution to compel the DOJ to release the full Epstein files, citing unlawful redactions.
- The DOJ has released only a portion of the files, with heavy redactions and no explanation for omissions.
- Victims and the DOJ have both highlighted the need for full disclosure, with the DOJ promising complete release within two weeks.
The dispute over the Epstein files underscores the tension between congressional oversight and executive agency discretion, with Schumer positioning the Senate to take a decisive legal stance in the coming month.
