Law-fare in this country has gotten out of hand. Politicians are no stranger to it.
And now Donald Trump is fuming mad after Chuck Schumer threatened to meet him in court.
Senate Democrats’ Push for Epstein Files Faces Obstacles as Deadline Passes
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and fellow Democrats on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee invoked a 1928 law, known as the “Rule of Five,” to demand the release of Jeffrey Epstein-related files from the Trump administration, setting an August 15 deadline.
The Justice Department and White House have not complied, prompting Schumer to threaten legal action, though the enforceability of the law remains uncertain.
Democrats Invoke Obscure Law
On July 30, Schumer, alongside Sens. Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and other committee Democrats, sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, citing the “Rule of Five,” which mandates federal agencies to provide information if requested by any five members of a relevant committee. The letter demanded all documents, evidence, and materials related to U.S. v. Jeffrey Epstein, emphasizing the need for “full transparency” amid prior promises by Trump and Bondi to release the files.
Schumer stated on X on August 15, “They’re now breaking the law to hide the files,” urging Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) to appoint legal counsel to pursue the matter in court, adding, “If he chooses complicity—we’ll take them to court ourselves.”
Procedural and Legal Challenges
The Justice Department declined to comment, and the White House and Thune’s office did not respond to inquiries, per Fox News Digital.
A senior GOP aide clarified that appointing legal counsel requires a two-thirds vote from the Senate Joint Leadership Group, which includes Thune, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Schumer, and Judiciary and Homeland Security committee leaders, or a Senate resolution with similar approval.
Uncertain Legal Standing
The “Rule of Five,” rarely invoked since its 1928 enactment, has uncertain legal standing, as seen in a 2017 attempt by Democrats to access documents related to the lease of the Old Post Office for a Trump hotel, which yielded limited results.
The current demand follows heightened scrutiny of Epstein’s case, fueled by a Justice Department review finding no “client list” or evidence of blackmail, despite earlier claims by Bondi.
Trump, who has distanced himself from Epstein, calling him a former friend who “stole” Mar-a-Lago staff, has urged supporters to move on from the issue, which has caused GOP infighting.
Political Context and Criticism
Democrats’ push, amplified by Schumer’s public statements, has drawn criticism for leveraging the Epstein controversy for political gain, especially as the House recessed early due to related disputes.
Some Republicans, like Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.), have joined calls for transparency, subpoenaing Ghislaine Maxwell’s records, but the Senate’s procedural barriers and the law’s untested nature may stall Schumer’s efforts.
