US Senate Democratic leader accuses Trump administration of 'stonewalling' release of Epstein files

​​​​​​​By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US Senate minority leader accused the Trump administration on Tuesday of deliberately withholding records related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, saying it has failed to comply with a legal requirement to release the files.

"It's been 18 days since the administration was required by law to release Epstein files to the American public, and it's been 15 days since the administration has released any documentation on Jeffrey Epstein," Chuck Schumer said on the Senate floor.

His remarks came one day after the Justice Department said it released less than 1% of the files, while more than 2 million additional records remain under review for possible release.

"Less than 1% in 18 days, in two and a half weeks. Are you kidding me?" said Schumer. "They say they were preparing well in advance, and they've only gotten 1% done? It's deliberately stonewalling of the American people."

Schumer described it as “an outlandishly naked attempt to hide the truth and defy the law,” and said Americans are questioning the administration’s motives.

"People across America are wondering, scratching their heads and asking, 'What the hell is (President) Donald Trump hiding,’" he said.

The New York Democrat demanded the full release of the Epstein records without delay.

"The administration must release the truth about Jeffrey Epstein. No dodging, no obfuscation, no hiding," he said, adding the Senate would pursue available options to force compliance.

Last month, the Justice Department said it would release the documents "as soon as possible" after the review as part of its obligations under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which was signed into law Nov. 19, as well as existing federal statutes and court orders.

Epstein was found dead in his New York City jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. He pleaded guilty in a court in the state of Florida and was convicted of procuring a minor for prostitution in 2008, but critics call the relatively minor conviction a “sweetheart deal.”

His victims have alleged that he operated a sprawling sex trafficking network that was used by members of the wealthy and political elite.

The Epstein case has remained a politically charged issue in the US, with lawmakers and victims’ advocates from across the spectrum demanding greater transparency about his network of associates and individuals who may have facilitated his crimes.

Trump has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein. But the pair’s past social and business ties, as well as Epstein’s extensive links to political, business and academic figures in the US and abroad have fueled calls for the broad release of official records.