Democrats moved Wednesday to force Donald Trump to release files from the investigation into notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, invoking an obscure law to keep up the pressure on an issue that has roiled the US president’s administration.

The White House has been facing increasingly intense demands to be more transparent about the disgraced financier, who died in federal prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges.

The president raised further questions about his past relationship with Epstein on Tuesday when he told reporters he fell out with his former friend after the disgraced financier “stole” employees from the spa at his Mar-a-Lago resort.

The Justice Department angered Trump supporters earlier this month when it said Epstein had died by suicide and had no “client list” — rebuffing conspiracy theories about the supposed complicity of high-profile Democrats that leading figures in Trump’s MAGA movement had been pushing for years.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and the Democrats on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee wrote to the Justice Department asking for the materials under a section of federal law known as the “rule of five.”

The measure — introduced a century ago but rarely used — requires government departments to provide relevant information if any five members of the Senate’s chief watchdog panel request it.

It is not clear if it could be enforced in court but even if the effort fails it keeps the spotlight on an issue that has upended Trump’s summer, dividing Republicans and leading to the early closure of the House of Representatives.

Trump has urged his supporters to drop demands for the Epstein files, but Democrats in Congress — with limited Republican support — have been seeking a floor vote to force their release.

House Oversight Committee Democrats, backed by some Republicans, approved a subpoena last week for the Justice Department to hand over the documents, although the demand has yet to be sent.

Lawmakers have also been seeking testimony from Epstein’s accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving 20 years in prison for her role in his crimes.

Maxwell’s lawyer has said she would speak to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee if granted immunity for her testimony.

“The Oversight Committee will respond to Ms. Maxwell’s attorney soon, but it will not consider granting congressional immunity for her testimony,” a spokesman for the panel said.

Democrats have also sought to attach votes on the Epstein files to unrelated bills multiple times, prompting Speaker Mike Johnson to send lawmakers home for the summer a day early last week rather than risk them succeeding.

“Donald Trump promised he would release the Epstein files while he was on the campaign trail. He made that promise, and he has yet to do it,” Schumer said in a speech Tuesday on the Senate floor.

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How and why Trump has struggled in dealing with the Epstein files

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Questions about the Epstein files keep coming.

So do bits of information about President Trump’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein, the late financier and convicted sex offender who died by suicide while in prison nearly six years ago.

The White House is employing lots of strategies to try to distract and deflect in an effort to beat back the story. The president said fellow Republicans, people who voted for him, were being “duped” by Democrats, said he doesn’t want their votes and called those continuing to demand the release of the files “weaklings.”

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Trump went on a social media posting spree Monday night, lashing out at familiar foes — former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, as well as his 2016 opponent, Hillary Clinton, while pointing back to the now almost decade-old investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election.

He went after the media for coverage of last month’s bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities, and that came after blasting the Wall Street Journal for reporting last week on a risque birthday letter to Epstein in 2003 that had Trump’s name on it. Trump then sued the paper for $20 billion, contending that “no authentic letter or drawing exists.”

It looked like the blame-the-media strategy might work with his base after that, but his response has been more muted this week after the Journal broke that Trump was briefed by his attorney general in May that his name appears multiple times in the files. A spokesperson called it a continuation of “fake news.” Trump did not directly address the story until Friday evening when a reporter asked if he had been briefed about his name and he said no.

The administration’s recent comments and actions — including releasing more documents on the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. nearly 60 years ago and even wading into the years-old controversies around changed professional sports team names — have done little to quell the controversy.

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Polling has shown that neither Trump’s base nor the public writ large is very satisfied with the amount of information released or how Trump’s administration is handling it, though Trump’s approval with Republicans remains stable.

Law White House under pressure to release documents from the Jeffrey Epstein case White House under pressure to release documents from the Jeffrey Epstein case Listen · 4:17 4:17

All of it represents an ironic turn for Trump. His political career was born out of the false birther conspiracy, and he has peddled lots of others for years, stoking a distrust in expertise and the government to help fuel his runs for office.

But now, he is the government — and dealing with a story in which conclusions were already drawn by many in his base that have roots in the QAnon movement that there is a satanic cabal of high-profile people in government who are also pedophiles.

In many ways, the Epstein files are a self-created perfect storm, and now it’s blowing back.

The calls for releasing the files have impacted all three branches of government this week. Trump said that releasing the files won’t likely quell the conspiracies, but even in that acknowledgment, he deflected, trying to blame Democrats.

“[N]othing will be good enough for the troublemakers and radical left lunatics making the request,” Trump said in a social media post last weekend that began with him calling for the release of grand jury testimony from the Epstein case. “It will always be more, more, more. MAGA!”

Where do things stand and what’s the latest?

Justice Department interview of Ghislaine Maxwell: Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, a former personal attorney of President Trump’s, interviewed Maxwell in prison on Thursday. Maxwell is serving a 20-year sentence for conspiring with Epstein to sexually abuse minors. What new information the DOJ is seeking or what it would learn — and what Maxwell could get out of it, if anything, is unclear.

Whether anyone can believe what Maxwell winds up sharing is another question. Former federal prosecutor Elie Honig told NPR’s Morning Edition that if he were Maxwell’s lawyer he’d advise her to share nothing and invoke the Fifth Amendment, which gives people the right to not self-incriminate.

Law A former federal prosecutor on the Epstein federal investigation A former federal prosecutor on the Epstein federal investigation Listen · 4:38 4:38

“Even though she’s already been tried and convicted and sentenced, she still could at least theoretically have other exposure to additional crimes,” Honig said.

Grand jury transcripts: The government, encouraged by Trump, also sought to release grand jury transcripts from the Epstein case. A federal judge denied one of those requests. Two others are pending.

Getting out of Dodge: In Congress, House Speaker Mike Johnson had Congress get out of town early for its August recess rather than take a vote aiming to force the Trump administration to release the Epstein files.

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House Oversight Committee seeks Maxwell interview, too: After a subcommittee vote in which Republicans joined Democrats to approve a subpoena to compel Maxwell to speak to the committee, committee Chairman James Comer, a Republican, issued a subpoena for an interview to occur Aug. 11.

“While the Justice Department undertakes efforts to uncover and publicly disclose additional information related to your and Mr. Epstein’s cases, it is imperative that Congress conduct oversight of the federal government’s enforcement of sex trafficking laws generally and specifically its handling of the investigation and prosecution of you and Mr. Epstein,” Comer wrote in a letter to Maxwell released by the committee. “In particular, the Committee seeks your testimony to inform the consideration of potential legislative solutions to improve federal efforts to combat sex trafficking and reform the use of non-prosecution agreements and/or plea agreements in sex-crime investigations.”

Trump knew his name was in the files in May, according to the Wall Street Journal and others: The Journal reported that Attorney General Pam Bondi and her deputy briefed Trump two months ago, letting him know that his name appeared in the Epstein files.

NPR has not confirmed that reporting, and the appearance of Trump’s name alone is not an indication of wrongdoing. He and Epstein were friends for years; they were seen on video partying together; and Trump was even on flight logs for Epstein’s plane before a falling out over a property dispute.

Honig told Morning Edition that it was highly unusual for an attorney general in the modern era to tell a president the details of an investigation it is conducting, particularly when it involves the president himself.

Politics Why the Jeffrey Epstein case remains a major issue for MAGA Why the Jeffrey Epstein case remains a major issue for MAGA Listen · 5:39 5:39

“Not at all,” it’s not normal for an attorney general to do so, Honig said. “And the question that this begs to me is, why? Why would the attorney general go and tip off the president — ‘Hey, you’re named in these criminal, closed criminal investigative files,’ whatever ‘named’ may mean. That is highly abnormal, and if we look back at the history of attorneys general, through both parties, that would be seen as a breach of the attorney general’s independence.”

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For Trump’s part, a White House spokesperson said in a statement that Trump kicked Epstein “out of his club for being a creep,” dismissed the story as a continuation of “fake news” and pivoted to talking about Russia’s involvement in the 2016 election.

What does the Russia investigation have to do with this?

It’s hard to believe, but the government’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election was almost a decade ago now.

And yet, it’s something Trump continues to point to when asked about Epstein.

On Wednesday, Tulsi Gabbard, director of national intelligence, from the White House Briefing Room podium, alleged a “yearslong coup and treasonous conspiracy” enacted by the Obama administration against Trump.

But there wasn’t much new. In fact, the assessments she referenced largely affirm what’s been known about Russian interference for years — while weaving a newly packaged web with that information.

The charged allegations led Obama’s office to issue a rare response to the Trump administration.

“Out of respect for the office of the presidency, our office does not normally dignify the constant nonsense and misinformation flowing out of this White House with a response,” the statement read. “But these claims are outrageous enough to merit one. These bizarre allegations are ridiculous and a weak attempt at distraction.”

It also noted that bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee findings, a committee then-chaired by Marco Rubio, now Trump’s secretary of state, “affirmed” the intelligence community’s findings.

From “phony stuff” to “whatever’s credible” to “unverified hearsay,” a pattern emerges

The Wall Street Journal reported that Bondi and her deputy, who told the president his name was in the files multiple times, said they felt the files contained “unverified hearsay.”

That might help explain how Trump has talked about this for more than a year.

“Yeah, whatever’s credible, she can release,” Trump said in the Oval Office on July 16, responding to a reporter’s question about whether he wants Bondi to release the full files.

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“If the — if a document is credible, if a document is there that is credible, she can release. I think it’s — I think it’s good,” he said.

The NPR Politics Podcast NPR Politics Podcast: MAGA turns on Trump over handling of Epstein files MAGA turns on Trump over handling of Jeffrey Epstein files Listen · 13:13 13:13

Note him saying whatever is “credible.” He’s used the word “credible” on this story multiple times in the last 10 days.

Here’s a sampling:

“Well, I think in the case of Epstein, they’ve already looked at it and they are looking at it, and I think all they have to do is put out anything credible,” Trump said in an interview on the same day on Real America’s Voice, a conservative media outlet. “But you know, that was run by the Biden administration for four years. I can imagine what they put into files.”

The day before, Trump talked to reporters twice, once before departing the White House and once after returning on Air Force One. Again, multiple times, emphasized the credibility of what’s in the files and deflected to try and shift the focus to Democrats and former FBI Director James Comey.

Before takeoff:

“[T]he credibility is very important,” Trump said. “And you want credible evidence for something like that. And I think the attorney general’s handled it very well.”

He was also asked if Bondi briefed him about his name being in the files — and this was days before the Wall Street Journal report.

“No, no,” he said before adjusting his language. “She’s given us just a very quick briefing, and in terms of the credibility of the different things that they’ve seen. And I would say that, you know, these files were made up by Comey. They were made up by Obama. They were made up by the Biden inform–, you know, uh, we, and we went through years of that with the Russia, Russia, Russia hoax, with all of the different things that we had to go through. We’ve gone through years of it, but she’s handled it very well and it’s gonna be up to her. Whatever she thinks is credible, she should release.”

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After returning, he again addressed it:

“Why they would be so interested in — he’s dead for a long time,” Trump said of Epstein. “He was never a big factor in terms of life. I don’t understand what the interest or what the fascination is. I really don’t. And the credible information’s been given. Don’t forget, we went through years of the Mueller witch hunt and all of the different things.”

He continued: “I think well, really, only pretty bad people, including fake news, want to keep something like that going.

But credible information, let ’em give it. Anything that’s credible. I would say let them have it.”

That tracks with what Trump said during the presidential campaign last year, despite the impression that many in his base were left with — that he would release the files.

Asked on Fox News in June 2024 if he would release them, he said, “Yeah. Yeah, I would. I guess I would. I think that less so [than MLK or JFK files], because you don’t know — you don’t want to affect people’s lives if it’s phony stuff in there, ’cause there’s a lot of phony stuff with that whole world.”

Of course, releasing “credible” information is an important reason, for example, why grand jury testimonies remain sealed with few exceptions — to protect witnesses and the integrity of investigations.

Despite all the controversies Trump has faced in his political career, this is one he hasn’t been able to talk his way out of. That’s particularly true because this is a story influential people in his base have pushed — and some of them are now in his administration directly responsible for handling this.

What the White House has tried to do hasn’t satisfied many, including in his base — and could make for headaches for swing-district Republicans

A CNN survey conducted July 10-13 found half of respondents were dissatisfied with how much information has been released, including 4 in 10 Republicans.

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Reuters/Ipsos asked the question differently in mid-July, connecting it specifically to Trump. In doing so, about half still said they disapproved of Trump’s handling of the Epstein matter — 35% of Republicans were reserving judgment, saying they didn’t know.

What’s more, almost 6 in 10 respondents in the Ipsos polling said they believed the government is probably or definitely hiding information about his death, and 69% said they think it’s hiding information about the alleged clients of the accused sex trafficker.

In both cases that included solid majorities of Republicans.

A CBS/YouGov poll published Sunday found that 9 in 10 think the government should release all of its information on Epstein, and Republicans are split on the Trump administration’s handling of matters related to the case, though self-identified MAGA Republicans are more likely to say they are satisfied.

Republicans appear to be giving Trump a long leash — 89% of them approve of the job he’s doing overall as president, despite his approval slipping to just 42% overall in the survey.

That could be because the Epstein case isn’t the most important issue respondents considered in evaluating the job he’s doing. Top of the list for saying an issue mattered “a lot” in their evaluation was immigration and deportation policies (61%), followed closely by inflation and prices and the tax-and-spending bill that recently passed Congress (both at 56%). About 36% said so of the Epstein case.

Republican members of Congress, though, continue to get questions about it. For example, Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, a Republican from a swing district in Pennsylvania, addressed the administration’s approach at a tele-town hall Wednesday night.

“They have not released as much as I would like to see to date,” he said, per audio from public radio reporter Carmen Russell-Sluchansky of WHYY, who was on the call. “But hopefully they’re going to be doing that, and if not, then Congress should potentially step in and compel them to do that because again, the American people deserve to have full transparency.”

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It’s a reminder that Trump’s not the only one who has to navigate this — and these are exactly the types of members of Congress who will be in races that will likely determine control of the House next year.

From 1h ago 17.20 BST Top Senate Democrat says he expects justice department to respond to Epstein demand by 15 August At the Capitol, Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer is outlining his attempt to force attorney general Pam Bondi to release the files related to the investigation of disgraced financier and accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. “We’re invoking federal law and using our authority as a check on the executive to compel transparency,” Schumer said. “Today’s letter matters. It’s not a stunt, it’s not symbolic, it’s a formal exercise of congressional power under federal law, and we expect an answer from DoJ by August the 15. That’s what accountability looks like. This is what oversight looks like, and this is what keeping your promises to the American people look like.” He noted that both Bondi and Donald Trump had previously said they want the case file’s released: This is not complicated. After promising full transparency for years, every single time Trump, his administration, Republican leaders have had a chance to be transparent about the Epstein files, they’ve chosen to hide. The evasions, the delays, the excuses, they are not just odd, they’re alarming. It begs the question, if there’s nothing to hide, why all the evasiveness? Trump should stop hiding from the truth, he should stop hiding from the American people. Share Updated at 18.13 BST

3m ago 18.30 BST US imposes sanctions on Brazilian judge overseeing Bolsonaro case The Treasury Department announced sanctions today against Alexandre de Moraes – the high court judge overseeing the investigation into disgraced Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro – who is on trial for allegedly attempting to launch a coup after losing the 2022 Brazilian election. Earlier this month Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on social media that he ordered a visa revocation for the judge De Moraes. The US accuses De Moraes of “arbitrary pre-trial detentions and suppress freedom of expression.” In a statement treasury secretary Scott Bessent added: De Moraes is responsible for an oppressive campaign of censorship, arbitrary detentions that violate human rights, and politicized prosecutions—including against former President Jair Bolsonaro. Share

23m ago 18.09 BST First day of DC plane collision hearing begins Today marks the first of three days of hearings investigating the plane collision in DC that killed 67 people in January. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is holding the hearings after an American Airlines passenger jet collided midair with a Black Hawk helicopter earlier this year. The crash killed all aboard both aircrafts. It is also the US’s deadliest air disaster since November 2001. NTSB chair Jennifer Homendy said the three days will be a “fact finding proceeding”, and today’s hearing opened with a video animation of where both aircrafts were leading up to the collision. View image in fullscreen National Transportation Safety Board Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy at the hearing. Photograph: Ümit Bektaş/Reuters Share Updated at 18.16 BST

52m ago 17.41 BST At the press conference, when asked about whether Democratic senators would be comfortable with redactions, minority leader Chuck Schumer said lawmakers “wouldn’t force any agreements that have been broken”, but added that he believes “almost everything can come out”. Schumer also said that he wants the files to be made available to the public and members of Congress, and that Democratic members are working to get some Republican colleagues on board to help make the files public. “It should be bipartisan,” he said. “But if not, there’s recourse in the courts. This is the law.” Share Updated at 18.15 BST

1h ago 17.25 BST Gary Peters, the top Democrat on the Senate homeland security committee, shared more about how the letter works, and what it demands. “We are using very unique statutory authority that is granted only to our committee, to homeland security and government affairs. The statute that we are invoking requires the administration to hand over documents … requested by any five members of the Senate committee,” Peters said. “This letter demands that the justice department produce documents that attorney general Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel have publicly already confirmed they have in their possession. We all know in fact that the attorney general said, quote, she said they’re sitting on her desk. It should be pretty easy to turn over documents that are sitting on the attorney general’s desk.” Share Updated at 18.14 BST

1h ago 17.20 BST Top Senate Democrat says he expects justice department to respond to Epstein demand by 15 August At the Capitol, Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer is outlining his attempt to force attorney general Pam Bondi to release the files related to the investigation of disgraced financier and accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. “We’re invoking federal law and using our authority as a check on the executive to compel transparency,” Schumer said. “Today’s letter matters. It’s not a stunt, it’s not symbolic, it’s a formal exercise of congressional power under federal law, and we expect an answer from DoJ by August the 15. That’s what accountability looks like. This is what oversight looks like, and this is what keeping your promises to the American people look like.” He noted that both Bondi and Donald Trump had previously said they want the case file’s released: This is not complicated. After promising full transparency for years, every single time Trump, his administration, Republican leaders have had a chance to be transparent about the Epstein files, they’ve chosen to hide. The evasions, the delays, the excuses, they are not just odd, they’re alarming. It begs the question, if there’s nothing to hide, why all the evasiveness? Trump should stop hiding from the truth, he should stop hiding from the American people. Share Updated at 18.13 BST

1h ago 17.16 BST Newsom warns California ‘won’t sit back’ if Texas Republicans redo congressional maps California’s Democratic governor Gavin Newsom has indicated he may push to redraw his state’s congressional maps if Texas Republicans approve new maps that could net the GOP five more House seats. Writing on X after Texas Republicans released their proposal for redistricting the state’s House seats, Newsom said: Donald Trump asks for 5 seats and Greg Abbott automatically bends the knee. The 2026 election is being rigged. California won’t sit back and watch this happen. If California Democrats want to redraw their congressional maps in the party’s favor, they will first have to ask voters to cancel a constitutional amendment that created an independent redistricting commission – potentially a tall ask. Share

2h ago 16.57 BST Senate Democrats to make case for legal motion that would release Epstein files Top Senate Democrats will hold a press conference in a few minutes about their attempt to use a rarely-invoked law to force attorney general Pam Bondi to hand over the Epstein files. Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer is due to speak, as well as Gary Peters, the ranking member of the homeland security committee, and other Democrats on the panel. We will let you know what they have to say. Share

2h ago 16.42 BST The day so far Here’s a rundown of the news so far today: We’re preparing for an interest-rate decision from the Federal Reserve at 2pm, and a press conference with chair Jerome Powell 30 minutes after the announcement. It comes as Donald Trump continued to urge Powell to cut the rate on social media.

Trump also announced a 25% tariff on India , writing on Truth Social that the US has done “relatively little business” with the country. Trump also said that India would be subject to a further penalty for buying substantial amounts of Russian military equipment and energy .

Senate Democrats will at noon hold a press conference after writing a letter to attorney general Pam Bondi to release the full and unredacted Epstein files. They’re invoking a rare and obscure law known as “rule of five”, which states that a government agency must provide information if five or more Senate committee members request it.

Beyond Washington, Texas Republicans released a proposed new congressional map for the state. This comes at the urging of Trump, and much earlier than usual. Typically, the state redraws their map every 10 years.

House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries is talking with Democratic legislators in Texas amid the redistricting battle ensuing in the state. He’s expected to hold a press conference tomorrow as Democrats try to stave off a rewritten map that would cost them a House majority. Share

2h ago 16.25 BST Texas GOP issue new proposed congressional map Texas Republicans have released their new proposed congressional map today. It could add up to five Republican seats if passed. Donald Trump has pressured lawmakers in the state to redraw the map in order to protect the slim majority that Republicans hold in the House as the 2026 midterms loom. Currently, Republicans hold 25 of Texas’s 38 congressional seats, while Democrats hold 12. Democratic strongholds like California and Maryland have threatened to redraw their maps in response. Share Updated at 16.36 BST

3h ago 15.59 BST Democratic Texas congressman Greg Casar, chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, has responded to a proposed redistricting map published by Punchbowl News. He issued the following statement: Merging the 35th and the 37th districts is illegal voter suppression of Black and Latino Central Texans. By merging our Central Texas districts, Trump wants to commit yet another crime— this time, against Texas voters and against Martin Luther King’s Voting Rights Act of 1965.

United, we will fight back with everything we’ve got. Share Updated at 16.02 BST

3h ago 15.34 BST Democratic leadership in Texas for redistricting strategy talks While Senate Democrats are on Capitol Hill and pressing for the Epstein files release, House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries is in Austin, Texas, for closed-door meetings with state Democrats, according to Politico. This comes as Donald Trump pushes Republican legislators in Texas to redraw their congressional district map earlier than usual. Normally, Texas would reconfigure its map every 10 years – aligned with the census. Per Politico, Jeffries will hold a press conference in Texas tomorrow, along with a number of media appearances across cable TV. Share Updated at 16.00 BST

3h ago 15.10 BST Later today we’ll find out the Federal Reserve’s interest-rate decision, and we can also expect to hear from chair Jerome Powell shortly after. Earlier today, Donald Trump pushed again for the Fed to lower the interest rate on Truth Social: “No Inflation! Let people buy, and refinance, their homes!” Share Updated at 15.26 BST

4h ago 14.45 BST US hits India with 25% tariff and further penalties Announcing the tariff on Truth Social today, Donald Trump said that “while India is our friend, we have, over the years, done relatively little business with them.” Trump added that India will also pay a “penalty” for their role as a substantial buyer of Russian military equipment and energy. “At a time when everyone wants Russia to STOP THE KILLING IN UKRAINE,” he wrote. Our colleagues are providing live updates here. Share Updated at 18.10 BST

4h ago 14.25 BST US GDP growth exceeds expectations The US GDP grew at a faster rate than expected this quarter – 3%. That’s higher than the 2.3% Dow Jones estimate for this April to June period. For more up-to-date news, follow our Business Live blog here. Share Updated at 15.00 BST

Washington — Senate Democrats are trying to force the Justice Department to release the Jeffrey Epstein files using a little-known law that directs executive agencies to turn over information to congressional oversight committees, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer announced Wednesday.

“Today Senate Democrats take additional action to try and uncover the truth about the Epstein files,” Schumer said on the Senate floor, and he proceeded to describe the nearly century-old law the minority would use to try to compel the release of the “full and complete Epstein files.”

The federal law, known as Section 2954 and referred to as the “Rule of Five,” allows five members on the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs to submit an information request on matters within its jurisdiction to a federal agency. Enacted in 1928, the obscure law is part of Congress’ ability to wield influence over executive branch agencies, and gives minority members of the oversight committees the ability to request information without the help of the committee chairman.

The move comes as controversy has swirled around the Epstein files in recent weeks, after the Justice Department issued the findings of an internal review that was met with anger from many of Mr. Trump’s supporters. The review found no “client list” or evidence that Epstein, a well-connected financier who was convicted of sex trafficking and died in federal custody in 2019, had blackmailed prominent figures. But the issue has divided Mr. Trump’s base, with many in both parties calling for more transparency as the president has called the controversy a “hoax.” And Democrats have sought to capitalize on the GOP infighting.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer conducts a news conference after the senate luncheons in the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. / Credit: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

“The situation with the Epstein files is very simple — Donald Trump promised transparency and he has broken that promise,” Schumer said. “As a candidate, Trump said on many occasions he would release the Epstein files if elected, and yet he has refused to do so.”

Schumer accused Republicans of choosing to “hide” on the Epstein files, saying, “if there’s nothing to hide, why all the evasiveness?”

The rule has rarely been used. In 2017, Democrats tried to force the release of documents relating to the leasing of the Old Post Office building in Washington, D.C., which became the site of a Trump hotel. And in 2001, Democrats under former President George W. Bush attempted to compel documents about the 2000 census. Still, with infrequent use, whether the rule could be enforced in court remains to be seen.

Schumer said the request covers “all documents, files, evidence or other materials in the possession of the Department of Justice or the FBI related to the case of United States v. Jeffrey Epstein.” He noted the request includes records related to Epstein and his clients, while “ensuring that the private information of any victims is protected.” The minority leader said the Democrats expect the Justice Department to provide the information by Aug. 15.

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President Donald Trump arrives to speak at an AI summit at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

President Donald Trump on Thursday signed a bill to rescind close to $9 billion in federal funding previously approved for public broadcasting and foreign aid, after Trump’s request to claw back the funds was approved by Republicans in the House and the Senate this month.

The bulk of the spending cuts is for foreign assistance programs. About $1.1 billion was destined for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which provides funding to NPR and PBS, though most of that money is distributed to more than 1,500 local public radio and television stations around the country.

Some Republicans were uncomfortable with the cuts but supported them rather than cross Trump or his agenda. Democrats unanimously opposed the cuts but were powerless to stop them.

Also Thursday, Trump visited the Federal Reserve headquarters in Washington a week after indicating that Fed chair Jerome Powell’s handling of an extensive renovation project on two Fed buildings could be grounds for firing.

Here’s the latest:

Nancy Pelosi says Democrats ‘fully intend’ to win back the House

The former speaker said “everything is on the table” as House Democrats work to counter Trump’s redistricting push in Texas with their own plans to redraw congressional maps in California. The San Francisco Democrat believes her home state could pick up more seats for her party.

“We fully intend to win the House in this next election, there’s no question about that,” Pelosi told AP in an interview.

“I don’t like redistricting in the middle of a decade,” she said, but if that’s what the party needs “to win, we will do that. Everything is on the table.”

California Democrats discussed the matter issue during a private meeting Wednesday, and Pelosi joined an emergency call the following day with others in the state.

Pelosi also said Democrats are mobilizing against Republicans for passing Trump’s big tax breaks and spending cuts bill: “They know they’re going to lose, because their policies are so bad. It is a stinking, lousy, rotten bill.”

DOJ’s No. 2 official meets with Ghislaine Maxwell

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche has met with Maxwell, the imprisoned former girlfriend of financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The meeting is part of a Justice Department effort to cast itself as transparent following backlash from parts of Trump’s base over an earlier refusal to release additional Epstein records.

A lawyer for Maxwell said she “answered all the questions truthfully, honestly and to the best of her ability.” David Oscar Markus said the meeting was “very productive” but declined to comment on “the substance.”

On Tuesday, Blanche said in a social media post that Trump “has told us to release all credible evidence” and that if Maxwell has information about anyone who has committed crimes against victims, the FBI and DOJ “will hear what she has to say.”

Maxwell was convicted of helping Epstein sexually abuse underage girls. Epstein died in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial.

White House deputy chief of staff says Fed chair was ‘splitting hairs’ over the cost of renovations

James Blair said budget officials still have questions about the costs of renovations at the Fed’s headquarters. “There’s no way around it, the cost overrun is massive,” he told reporters.

Trump visited the Fed on Thursday in an attempt to publicly shame Jerome Powell, its chair, over the renovation costs. When Trump said they had increased from $2.5 billion to $3.1 billion, Powell said the president was including work on a separate Fed building.

“We still want to get to the bottom of the plans that were submitted and how they have changed,” Blair said.

Institute of Peace’s request for full appellate court hearing is denied

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit rejected the the request for a hearing of the full court on lifting the stay of a three-judge panel last month.

The institute said in a statement that would put its efforts into winning its case before the three-judge panel and “regain control of the organization and its assets — including its headquarters — and to fulfill its congressionally mandated mission.”

In March, the Department of Government Efficiency took over the headquarters of the 300-employee institute and its board and acting president were fired, part of a government downsizing under a Trump executive order.

A district judge overturned those actions in May, and the institute, which focuses on peace initiatives and conflict resolution around the world, regained control of its headquarters.

The appeals court stayed Howell’s ruling June 27 and forced the turnover of the headquarters for a third time.

Trump on the cost of renovations at Federal Reserve HQ: ‘It is what it is’

The president made the comment on his Truth Social platform after visiting the central bank and attempting to publicly shame Fed Chair Jerome Powell over renovation costs. Still, he said, he hopes the project is finished “ASAP.”

“The cost overruns are substantial but, on the positive side, our Country is doing very well and can afford just about anything — Even the cost of this building!” the president said.

Trump said he hopes to lend his expertise to the project, citing his experience renovating the Old Post Office building.

US envoy meets with Syria and Israel on de-escalation

Trump’s special envoy to Syria says he met with representatives from Syria and Israel to discuss de-escalation and “we accomplished precisely that.”

Tom Barrack, who is also U.S. ambassador to Turkey, said on social media that the parties met in Paris on Thursday and committed to further those efforts.

Israel intervened during the latest outbreak of sectarian violence in Syria, which the White House said this week caught Trump off guard.

Barrack told AP this week that Israel’s actions were poorly timed and complicated efforts to stabilize the region following years of civil war in Syria.

Trump has sought to support Syria’s new government.

College industry group rejects Columbia deal as a roadmap

A higher education industry group is rejecting the Trump administration’s suggestion that its deal with Columbia University can be a roadmap for other colleges facing federal investigations.

Columbia said Wednesday that it agreed to pay more than $220 million to restore federal research money that was canceled in the name of combating antisemitism on campus.

Ted Mitchell, president of the American Council on Education, said the deal “cannot be a template for the government’s approach to American higher education.”

“Columbia was put in an untenable position by the outrageous actions of the executive branch of the government,” he said.

? Read more about Trump and higher education

Trump signs executive order seeking to clarify college athletes’ employment status

The order addresses whether college athletes can be considered employees of their schools and aims to clarify national standards for the NCAA’s name, image and likeness program.

The decision follows a surge in money flowing through college athletics and court victories for athletes seeking compensation. In 2021 the NCAA allowed athletes to profit from NIL deals after a Supreme Court ruling against its restrictions.

The shift has led to schools paying athletes directly and sparked debates over collective bargaining and labor laws. The NCAA continues to push for antitrust protections, even amid these changes.

? Read more about the executive order and NIL

Trump signs bill to cancel $9 billion in foreign aid, public broadcasting funding

President Donald Trump signed a bill Thursday canceling about $9 billion that had been approved for public broadcasting and foreign aid as Republicans look to lock in cuts to programs targeted by the White House’s Department of Government Efficiency.

The bulk of the spending being clawed back is for foreign assistance programs. About $1.1 billion was destined for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which finances NPR and PBS, though most of that money is distributed to more than 1,500 local public radio and television stations around the country.

The White House had billed the legislation as a test case for Congress and said more such rescission packages would be on the way.

? Read more about budget cuts

Trump says Fed spending too much money to protect historic features in renovation

The president said the Federal Reserve spent too much money on plywood to protect the historic features of its central bank.

“It’s a very luxurious situation taking place,” Trump told reporters. “Let’s put it that way.”

Trump said his goal is to get the renovation project done. He noted that it was a very expensive project with building underground parking lots and opening up the basement, causing the Fed to build a “reverse bathtub.”

Trump said he didn’t want to put Powell in a situation of being fired, but he said his renovation of the Old Post Office in Washington into a hotel with its marble bathrooms only cost $200 million. The Fed renovations are expected to cost roughly $2.5 billion.

Trump scorns Powell in meeting over Federal Reserve construction spending

Trump sought to publicly shame Fed Chair Jerome Powell over the cost of renovating the central bank’s headquarters, suggesting that the cost was $3.1 billion instead of the $2.5 billion cited by the Fed.

“This came from us?” Powell said, later figuring out that Trump was including the renovation of the Martin Building that was finished five years ago.

“Do you expect any more additional cost overruns?” Trump asked.

“Don’t expect them,” Powell said.

Trump said in his career as a real estate developer he would fire someone for cost overruns.

The president joked that he would back off Powell if he lowered interest rates.

Trump says he’ll meet with Fed Chair Jerome Powell as part of construction site tour

Trump has lambasted the Federal Reserve for its $2.5 billion renovation of its headquarters and another building ahead of a Thursday tour of the site.

He posted on Truth Social that Jerome Powell, the chair of the U.S. central bank, will also be “present” to an event in which the president is expected to attack the cost of the project. Trump has been publicly pressuring Powell to cut interest rates and has tried to pillory him on social media.

Also attending the site tour are Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., White House budget director Russ Vought and Bill Pulte, director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

White House looking to push redistricting beyond Texas

Talk about mid-decade redistricting has been centered around Texas, but the White House signals it’s looking at other states, too.

Officials are looking to redraw lines in states like Missouri, according to a person familiar with conversations but unauthorized to speak publicly about them.

Texas’ Republican-controlled legislature convened a special session this week with the aim of considering House district maps in ways that favor their party in next year’s midterm elections.

State Dept. remains mum on what ‘alternative options’ US will use for Israeli hostage release after breakdown in talks

At a news briefing Thursday, State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott would not offer details on what the “alternative options” the U.S. is considering to release hostages in Gaza after Trump envoy announced a breakdown in negotiations.

When pressed for clarity on whether and how the U.S. would proceed, Pigott did not offer clarity and said, “This is a very dynamic situation.”

He said there’s never been a question of the U.S. commitment to reaching a ceasefire, but Hamas’ commitment.

Journalists get rare tour of Fed building renovations before Trump visit

On Thursday, reporters wound through cement mixers, front loaders, and plastic pipes as they got a close-up view of the active construction site that encompasses the Fed’s historic headquarters.

Fed staff pointed out new blast-resistant windows and seismic walls that were needed to comply with modern building codes and security standards set out by the Department of Homeland Security.

Sensitivity to the president’s visit later Thursday among Fed staff was high during the tour. Reporters were ushered into a small room outside the Fed’s boardroom, where 19 officials meet eight times a year to decide whether to change short-term interest rates. The room is oval-shaped, and someone had written “oval office” on plywood walls.

The Fed staff downplayed the inscription as a joke. When reporters returned to the room later, it had been painted over.

? Read more about Fed headquarters

CISA nominee won’t say whether he’d bend to Trump on false election security claims

Trump’s pick to run the nation’s cybersecurity agency, Sean Plankey, evaded some questions about election security in his confirmation hearing with a Senate committee on Thursday morning.

When Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) asked him if the 2020 election was rigged and stolen, the nominee said he had not reviewed that election’s cybersecurity and his personal opinions weren’t relevant. He acknowledged that President Joe Biden was confirmed by the electoral college and sworn in.

Blumenthal then pressed Plankey on what he would do if Trump later pushed him to falsely claim the 2026 or 2028 elections were rigged.

“Senator, as a cybersecurity professional, these are state-run elections,” Plankey answered. “I have not reviewed the cybersecurity posture of all 50 states. That’s like a doctor who’s diagnosing somebody over the television because they saw him on the news.”

“No, it’s like a doctor who has a patient come to him and is responsible for doing the diagnosis,” Blumenthal replied. The senator called Plankey’s answers “unsatisfactory” and accused him of “undermining the confidence of the nation in the election apparatus.”

The uncomfortable exchange reflects partisan tensions over the role CISA should play in combating the rise of election fraud claims that have frayed the nation’s trust in election officials and voting machines. CISA is tasked with protecting the nation’s critical infrastructure, from dams and power plants to banks and voting systems.

Trump signed an executive order earlier this year directing the Justice Department to investigate former CISA head Chris Krebs and strip his security clearances. Krebs became a target of the president’s ire after he insisted the 2020 election was secure and ballot counts were accurate.

Obama heading to fundraiser for Democrats’ redistricting efforts

Former President Barack Obama is attending a fundraiser next month for a group that advocates for Democrats in an effort to push back toward congressional maps they see as unfairly drawn to favor Republicans.

Obama spokesperson Patrick Rodenbush said Thursday that the former Democratic president would be attending an August event on Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts.

The event, first reported by Politico, is hosted by the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, a group headed up by Obama’s former attorney general, Eric Holder. It has filed and supported litigation in several states over GOP-drawn district maps.

President Donald Trump mourns ‘a great friend,’ Hulk Hogan

Trump offered condolences to Hogan’s wife and family on his social media platform Thursday.

Using Hogan’s “Hulkster” nickname, Trump said the pro wrestling star was “strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart.”

He said Hogan “MAGA all the way” and praised his speech at the Republican National Convention as “one of the highlights of the entire week.”

Where do gaps remain in Gaza ceasefire talks?

The talks have been bogged down over competing demands for ending the war.

Hamas says it will only release all hostages in exchange for a full Israeli withdrawal and end to the war. Israel says it will not agree to end the war until Hamas gives up power and disarms — a condition the militant group rejects. The militant group says it is prepared to leave power but not surrender its weapons.

The U.S. plan called for an initial 60-day ceasefire and partial hostage release, with pledges from the U.S. that Israel would not resume the fighting after that.

Hamas is believed to be holding the hostages in different locations, including tunnels, and says it has ordered its guards to kill them if Israeli forces approach.

Senate Republicans quash Democratic bid to force release of Epstein files

It was the latest attempt by Democrats on Capitol Hill to force Republicans to vote for greater disclosure of the Epstein files, yet notably, the first time many Republicans in the Senate had to take a stand on the issue. For now, they voted against forcing the release of the case files.

The vote unfolded Thursday morning with tense exchanges as the Senate Judiciary Committee prepared to advance a bill meant to address opioid trafficking.

Democratic Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey offered an amendment to the bill that would have kept it from going into effect until the Epstein files are released. But Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas successfully stymied that effort by offering a separate amendment that nullified Booker’s while also adding language to address criminals who entered the country illegally.

While some Republicans have indicated they’re open to a debate on forcing more disclosure, Cornyn said he trusted Attorney General Pam Bondi to handle the matter.

Republicans on the committee all voted for Cornyn’s amendment, while Democrats voted against, saying, “No on concealing the Epstein files.”

Trump envoy Witkoff says US cutting short Gaza ceasefire talks, bringing home negotiating team

President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff said Thursday the U.S. is cutting short Gaza ceasefire talks and bringing home its negotiating team from Qatar for consultations after the latest response from Hamas “shows a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire in Gaza.”

“While the mediators have made a great effort, Hamas does not appear to be coordinated or acting in good faith,” Witkoff said. “We will now consider alternative options to bring the hostages home and try to create a more stable environment for the people of Gaza.”

He said it was “a shame that Hamas has acted in this selfish way” and that the U.S. is “resolute” in seeking an end to the conflict in Gaza.

? Read more about Gaza ceasefire

The Senate Judiciary Committee advances Fox News host Jeanine Pirro as federal prosecutor for DC, again

The party-line committee vote, which advances Pirro’s nomination to the Senate floor, was a do-over after the Judiciary panel approved her nomination last week when Democrats had walked out of the room to protest

Emil Bove’s nomination to become a federal appeals court judge. The Judiciary committee scheduled the second vote to ensure there was a sufficient quorum of senators after consulting with the Senate parliamentarian.

Pirro has served as acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia since May. President Donald Trump nominated her to replace his previous nominee, Ed Martin Jr., amid concerns among some Republican senators about his outspoken support for rioters who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 and were later pardoned by Trump. Democrats have criticized Pirro, as well, for defending the rioters.

Before she replaced Martin, Pirro cohosted the Fox News show “The Five” on weekday evenings. She was elected as a judge in New York’s Westchester County Court in 1990 before serving three terms as the county’s elected district attorney.

Trump takes to social media to support Musk’s embattled car company.

The Thursday morning post on Truth Social — “I want Elon, and all businesses within our Country, to THRIVE” — is a startling development given the bitter public feud between the two.

The post came about an hour before Tesla’s stock opened sharply lower after the company reported another quarter of lackluster financial results. The stock was down 9% in midday trading.

Musk blasted Trump’s budget bill for adding to U.S. debt and said he will form a new political party. Trump has threatened to cut contracts and subsidies for Musk’s businesses, including Tesla.

Trump meets with Rose Garden construction workers in Oval Office

A Trump aide posted a photo on social media of the president sitting at the Resolute Desk with about a dozen men in orange shirts facing him.

The photo was accompanied with a message that Trump had invited the workers in to sign hats for them.

Trump has ordered the grass in the Rose Garden to be paved over.

Mike Waltz UN nomination advances out of committee with bipartisan support

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee advanced Mike Waltz’s nomination Thursday to be the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

The bipartisan vote came after the initial vote was pulled Wednesday over concerns by Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky. The top Democrat on the committee, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, voted with all Republicans except Paul to push the nomination to the Senate floor.

Shaheen’s support came as a surprise as many thought that Paul’s opposition would tank Waltz’s nomination, dealing another blow to the White House over a position they have failed to fill for the past six months. The New Hampshire lawmaker defended her decision, saying in a statement that while she disagrees with Waltz on some issues, the alternatives to his nomination could fare worse for U.S. foreign policy.

“He represents a moderating force within the administration. He has a distinguished record of military service, and he has an extensive background in national security policy,” Shaheen said.

Senate Republicans quash Democratic bid to force release of Epstein files

It was the latest attempt by Democrats on Capitol Hill to force Republicans to vote for greater disclosure of the Epstein files, yet notably, the first time many Republicans in the Senate had to take a stand on the issue. For now, they voted against forcing the release of the case files.

The vote unfolded Thursday morning with tense exchanges as the Senate Judiciary Committee prepared to advance a bill meant to address opioid trafficking.

Democratic Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey offered an amendment to the bill that would have kept it from going into effect until the Epstein files are released. But Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas successfully stymied that effort by offering a separate amendment that nullified Booker’s. While some Republicans have indicated they’re open to a debate on forcing more disclosure, Cornyn said he trusted Attorney General Pam Bondi to handle the matter.

Republicans on the committee all voted for Cornyn’s amendment, while Democrats voted against, saying, “No on concealing the Epstein files.”

A replica Oval Office on display near the White House just got a Trump makeover

The replica Oval Office now looks exactly like President Trump’s. But it’s not the blingy version he’s currently using.

Visitors starting Thursday will experience the mock Oval Office as it was in the Republican president’s first term, until it’s redecorated again next year to incorporate the golden touches and other flourishes Trump brought to the workspace after he returned to power in January.

“Just like the White House itself, our Oval Office is a living space, so it changes and evolves as the actual Oval Office changes,” Stewart McLaurin, president of the White House Historical Association, said Wednesday as he led on a tour of the space as it was being revamped.

The mock-up is inside “The People’s House: A White House Experience,” an educational center the association opened last year one block west of the Executive Mansion.

? Read more about the replica Oval Office

House subcommittee voted to subpoena Justice Department for Epstein files

A House subcommittee voted to subpoena the Department of Justice for files in the Epstein case after Democrats successfully goaded GOP lawmakers to defy Trump and Republican leadership to support the action.

The vote showed the intensifying push for disclosures in the Epstein investigation even as House Speaker Mike Johnson — caught between demands from Trump and clamoring from his own members for the House to act — was sending lawmakers home a day early for its August recess.

Meanwhile, Democrats on a subcommittee of the powerful House Oversight Committee made a motion for the subpoena Wednesday afternoon. Three Republicans on the panel voted with Democrats for the subpoena, sending it through on an 8-2 vote tally.

Democrats cheered the action as proof that their push for disclosures in the Epstein investigation was growing stronger. The committee agreed to redact information on victims, yet Democrats successfully blocked a push by Republicans to only subpoena information that was deemed to be “credible” — language that Trump has also used when discussing what he would support releasing.

?Read more about the subpoena

Bondi facing Democratic calls to testify following report she told Trump he was in Epstein files

Bondi is facing Democratic calls to testify before Congress after the Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday that she told Trump his name was among many high-profile figures mentioned in the files, which the Justice Department this month said it would not be releasing despite a clamor from online sleuths, conspiracy theorists and members of Trump’s base.

Trump’s personal ties to Epstein are well-established and his name is already known to have been included in records related to the wealthy financier.

Sen. Adam Schiff responded to the report by calling on Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

The Justice Department declined to comment on the report but issued a joint statement from Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche saying that investigators had reviewed the records and “nothing in the files warranted further investigation or prosecution.”

The mere inclusion of a person’s name in Epstein’s files does not imply wrongdoing and he was known to have been associated with multiple prominent figures, including Trump.

? Read more about the calls for Bondi to testify

Senate Democratic Leader calls for closed-door briefing on the Epstein files

Democrats aren’t letting up on their calls for disclosure from the Trump administration on the sex trafficking investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer started the morning off with a speech calling for a closed-door briefing for senators from the Trump administration on the Epstein files. While the administration is unlikely to comply with the New York Democrat’s demand, Democrats are pouncing on the issue and have found some success this week by daring Republicans to join them in votes to demand disclosure of the files.

“A good number of people voted for Trump because he promised to be their voice against the so-called deep state. But now they’ve seen he’s very much part of that deep state. He’s right in the middle of it,” Schumer said.