Schumer Leads Senate Push for Full Release of Epstein Files, Citing DOJ Obstruction
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The Senate is poised to take legal action against the Department of Justice (DOJ) at the behest of Senator Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., demanding the complete release of files related to convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. Schumer announced on December 22, 2025, his intention to introduce a resolution authorizing a lawsuit to compel the DOJ to release all remaining documentation, alleging a deliberate obstruction of transparency.
Lawmakers Condemn Redactions and Delays
The initial, partial release of the Epstein files sparked widespread criticism from both sides of the aisle, with lawmakers decrying the extensive redactions and perceived lack of urgency from the DOJ. Schumer publicly accused the department of “blatant disregard of the law,” asserting that the failure to release the complete files by the December 19 deadline was unlawful.
“The American people deserve full transparency, and Senate Democrats will use every tool at our disposal to ensure they get it,” Schumer wrote on X. “This administration cannot be allowed to hide the truth.” He further stated that the Trump administration “dumped redactions and withheld the evidence, which breaks the law,” referencing reports from CBS News detailing significant redactions, including entire pages of records being blacked out.
[NEWS: I am introducing a resolution directing the Senate to initiate legal action against the DOJ for its blatant disregard of the law in its refusal to release the complete Epstein files. The American people deserve full transparency, and Senate Democrats will use every tool at… pic.twitter.com/jLg6giXKBD — Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) December 22, 2025]
Bipartisan Pressure Mounts for Accountability
The push for full disclosure isn’t limited to Democrats. Representative Thomas Massie, R-Ky., a key figure in the bipartisan effort, criticized the DOJ’s release, stating, “The survivors deserve justice. The DOJ release does not comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act and does not provide what the survivors are guaranteed under the new law.”
Representative Ro Khanna, D-Calif., echoed the sentiment, suggesting even more drastic measures. Khanna revealed that he and Massie are “working on drafting an article of impeachment and inherent contempt” against Attorney General Pam Bondi.
DOJ Defends Slow Release, Cites Victim Protection
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the DOJ’s approach, arguing that the deliberate pace and partial release are intended to “protect victims.” Speaking on NBC’s Meet The Press on December 20, 2025, Blanche explained, “The reason why we are still reviewing documents and still continuing our process is simply that: to protect victims.”
However, this justification has failed to appease survivors. On Monday, December 23, 2025, a group of 18 Epstein survivors issued an open letter condemning the DOJ’s handling of the release, stating that “the public received a fraction of the files, and what we received was riddled with abnormal and extreme redactions with no explanation.”
The escalating pressure from lawmakers and survivors underscores the growing demand for complete transparency surrounding the Epstein case and the individuals connected to it. The Senate’s potential legal action represents a significant escalation in the fight to uncover the full extent of the scandal and hold those responsible accountable.
