Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer launched a surprise political maneuver on Tuesday by attaching an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that would force the release of all Jeffrey Epstein-related documents within 30 days. The amendment caught Republicans off guard and triggered immediate backlash, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune calling it a “political sideshow” designed to trap GOP senators into a controversial vote. Schumer announced a full roll call vote to compel every member to take a public stance on whether to support the disclosure of Justice Department files tied to Epstein’s criminal activities.
The amendment revives renewed scrutiny over connections between powerful political figures and Epstein’s network. Democrats are escalating the issue following their release of what they claim is a birthday card from President Trump to Epstein. The Trump White House has denied the authenticity of the card and dismissed the narrative as a partisan hoax. Still, Schumer’s move forces Republicans into a high-stakes decision—support full transparency or risk accusations of protecting elite wrongdoers.
This follows earlier attempts in the House, where Rep. Ro Khanna and Rep. Thomas Massie introduced legislation to mandate Epstein file disclosures. House Speaker Mike Johnson discouraged support for the measure, citing procedural concerns, and most Republicans followed suit. However, Rep. Ralph Norman broke ranks, joining Democrats in a committee vote to advance the bill. These divisions highlight the broader conflict within the Republican Party over how to handle the politically explosive Epstein case.
In the Senate, conservatives like Sen. Marsha Blackburn have called for full, unredacted disclosures from the FBI and IRS, including flight logs, surveillance footage, and Epstein’s “little black book.” Blackburn emphasized the need for justice for victims and transparency for the public. While Thune has previously voiced support for full disclosure, the GOP leadership is wary of tactics seen as politically motivated, especially when tied to must-pass defense legislation.
Schumer’s amendment places political pressure directly on Republicans ahead of a contentious election cycle.
