{"id":2469002,"date":"2025-07-31T07:12:01","date_gmt":"2025-07-31T11:12:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/senate-democrats-make-late-epstein-files-push-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2025-07-31T07:14:17","modified_gmt":"2025-07-31T11:14:17","slug":"senate-democrats-make-late-epstein-files-push-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/senate-democrats-make-late-epstein-files-push-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Senate Democrats make late Epstein files push &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fsenate-democrats-make-late-epstein-files-push-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2469002&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Senate Democrats, led by minority Leader Chuck Schumer, are intensifying efforts to obtain files related to Jeffrey Epstein from the Justice Department by invoking a rarely used law known as the &#8220;rule of Five.&#8221; This maneuver allows at least five minority members on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee to compel the release of documents. The move aims to keep the epstein case in the public eye and highlight divisions among Senate Republicans, many of whom have largely avoided confronting their conservative base on the issue.<\/p>\n<p>Despite bipartisan demands, Attorney General Pam Bondi has so far refused to release the files, which are believed to detail connections to Epstein, the disgraced financier and convicted sex offender. The tactic is seen as a formal and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/exclusive-free-to-learn-president-theres-no-way-education-is-going-to-go-away-in-2022\/\" title=\"Exclusive \u2014 Free to Learn President: &#039;There&#039;s No Way&#039; Education Is &#039;Going to Go Away&#039; in 2022\">potentially precedent-setting<\/a> use of congressional power, with Democrats expecting documents and briefings by mid-to-late August.Although this strategy is not endorsed by the entire Senate Democratic caucus,it signals a push to pressure Republicans and the Department of Justice.<\/p>\n<p>The initiative follows stalled efforts in the GOP-controlled House, where the release of the Epstein files has caused legislative gridlock. Some Republicans, including Sen. Josh Hawley, have criticized the Democrats&#8217; &#8220;Rule of five&#8221; approach as a political stunt, while also expressing support for transparency. Democrats are also exploring other parliamentary tactics to force action on the matter.<\/p>\n<p>Senate Democrats are using procedural tools to escalate demands for transparency about Epstein-related data, attempting to politically corner Republicans and maintain public focus on the issue.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Senate Democrats make late push to drive GOP&rsquo;s Epstein files headache<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2184536\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Democrats in the Senate are picking up the baton from their colleagues in the House to keep the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/3485462\/trumps-story-of-epstein-fall-out-doesnt-quell-opponents\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Jeffrey Epstein saga\">Jeffrey Epstein saga<\/a> in the news cycle and stoke GOP divisions.<\/p>\n<p>A small group of Senate Democrats, led by Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), is invoking a nearly century-old law to try to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3486462\/schumer-jeffrey-epstein-files-rule-of-five\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"wrangle the Epstein files\">obtain the Epstein files<\/a> from the Justice Department in a move that could also splinter Republicans in the upper chamber who&rsquo;ve largely avoided scrutiny from their conservative base.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3487199\/royalty-transparency-act-approved-by-senate-committee\/\">Royalty Transparency Act approved by Senate committee<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3487181\/senate-defeats-growing-democratic-bid-restrict-israel-military-aid\/\">Senate defeats growing Democratic bid to restrict Israeli military aid<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3486885\/trump-josh-hawley-congressional-stock-trading-ban-pelosi-act\/\">Trump blasts Hawley over <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-stays-out-of-congressional-stock-trading-debate\/\" title=\"Biden Stays Out of Congressional Stock Trading Debate\u00a0\">congressional stock trading ban<\/a>: &#8216;Second-tier Senator&#8217;<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;We&rsquo;re just continuing to keep this in the bloodstream and try to get the transparency that people are asking for,&rdquo; Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ) told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>Kim and other Democrats on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee <span style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3486462\/schumer-jeffrey-epstein-files-rule-of-five\/\" target=\"_blank\">rely on the little-known<\/a>&nbsp;&ldquo;Rule of Five&rdquo; in a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, an arcane law allowing<\/span> at least five minority members on the panel to compel related documents and information. Bondi has so far <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/not-a-stunt-schumer-invokes-rare-rule-to-push-epstein-files-release\/\" title=\"...Not a stunt...: Schumer invokes rare rule to ... ... ...\">rebuffed bipartisan demands<\/a>, which are most vocal from President Donald Trump&rsquo;s MAGA base, to release the files that supposedly detail who was connected to the disgraced financier and convicted child sex offender.<\/p>\n<p>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&rsquo;s also a strategy that Schumer envisions bogging down the DOJ in a precedent-setting legal battle.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s not a stunt. It&rsquo;s not symbolic. It&rsquo;s a formal exercise of congressional power under federal law,&rdquo; Schumer said, adding Democrats expect documents by Aug. 15 and a briefing by Aug. 29. &ldquo;We have talked to some of our lawyers, and we will &mdash; this can be challenged in the courts.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The DOJ acknowledged receiving Democrats&rsquo; letter but declined to comment. The White House did not respond to a request for comment.<\/p>\n<p>Both parties have&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2025\/07\/30\/us\/politics\/democrats-trump-epstein-files.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&amp;referringSource=articleShare\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">tried previously<\/a>&nbsp;to invoke the &ldquo;Rule of Five&rdquo; under past administrations, but there remains&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2025\/07\/30\/us\/politics\/democrats-trump-epstein-files.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&amp;referringSource=articleShare\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">little legal precedent<\/a>. Still, with the administration rebuffing bipartisan demands, it&rsquo;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 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/3478445\/epstein-files-paralyze-house-johnson-cancel-votes-recess\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">paralyzing the chamber<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;What gave this some new life was the apocalyptic reaction of the MAGA base and Trump&rsquo;s inability to shut them up,&rdquo; Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT) told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m not sure it could&rsquo;ve happened soon. It&rsquo;s just controlled by the Trump administration.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), center, is joined by Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI), left, and Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), right, during a press conference on the Jeffrey Epstein files in Washington, D.C., on July 30, 2025. (Graeme Jennings\/Washington Examiner)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Senate Democrats are also weighing avenues to <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >force additional floor action<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n<p>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.<\/p>\n<p>As Democrats try to shift more attention to GOP senators, Republicans have generally sided with Trump&rsquo;s actions after the uproar over the release of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/rose-mcgowan-lawsuit-against-harvey-weinstein-dismissed\/\" title=\"Rose McGowan ...suit Against Harvey Weinstein Dismissed\">grand jury testimony<\/a> in court.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3486462\/schumer-jeffrey-epstein-files-rule-of-five\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">&lsquo;NOT A STUNT&rsquo;: SCHUMER INVOKES RARE &lsquo;RULE OF FIVE&rsquo; TO FORCE RELEASE OF EPSTEIN FILES<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) called Democrats&rsquo; &ldquo;Rule of Five&rdquo; tactic a &ldquo;stunt&rdquo; but emphasized his belief that the DOJ &ldquo;should release all the documents.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I don&rsquo;t think this is a hard call,&rdquo; Hawley told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>. &ldquo;I understand that the grand jury stuff, that&rsquo;s sealed &hellip; but I&rsquo;ve made my views clear to DOJ.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_2184536\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"2184536\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Senate Dems renew push to expose GOP Epstein files<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3108,"featured_media":2469003,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/senate-democrats-jeffrey-epstein-1024x683.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[44093,51209,60320,33619,32076],"class_list":["post-2469002","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-congressional-investigation","tag-epstein-files","tag-late-push","tag-senate-democrats","tag-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/senate-democrats-jeffrey-epstein-1024x683.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2469002","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3108"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2469002"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2469002\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2469006,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2469002\/revisions\/2469006"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2469003"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2469002"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2469002"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2469002"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}