Schumer warns Trump against 'funny business' as Epstein files bill heads to White House
'Once the president signs the bill, he must apply and execute it faithfully,' says Senate Democrat leader
WASHINGTON
US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer reiterated his demand Wednesday for full transparency from the White House as Congress prepares to send a bill related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein to President Donald Trump.
"After months of waiting, months of Republican delay, after so many failed attempts from Donald Trump to hide the truth, the Epstein Files Transparency Act is headed to his desk," Schumer said from the Senate floor.
Congress passed legislation to compel the Justice Department to release its records related to Epstein.
Schumer called it "a shame" that Republican leaders "tried for months to prevent the truth from coming out."
"But I want to be very clear, the job is not done. The vote is not the end. It's only the beginning. Once the president signs the bill, he must apply and execute it faithfully. There must be no funny business from Donald Trump.
"He must not use the excuse of frivolous investigations to release some Epstein documents while intentionally hiding others that deserve to be seen by the American public," he added.
Schumer insisted the law requires complete transparency and does not allow the president to selectively disclose information.
"This is not an invitation for Donald Trump to pick and choose his version of the truth. This bill is a command for the president to be fully transparent, to come fully clean and to provide full honesty to the American people, even if he doesn't want to," he said.
The minority leader made clear that Democrats plan to closely monitor the administration’s compliance.
"If Donald Trump refuses to comply, if he refuses to obey the law, Senate Democrats will hold him accountable. We will exercise oversight. We'll demand transparency," Schumer added.
Epstein was found dead in his New York City jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial. He pleaded guilty and was convicted in 2008 of procuring a minor for prostitution.
His survivors have demanded accountability and legal support to face their abusers and achieve justice.
