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The Senate Minority Leader from New York, Chuck Schumer, has urged the FBI to conduct a counterintelligence threat assessment on the Jeffrey Epstein files.
Schumer emphasized the need for the FBI assessment to achieve three main objectives: evaluate if foreign intelligence agencies could potentially access information in the Epstein files that the president is reluctant to disclose, identify any vulnerabilities that could be exploited by foreign intelligence agencies with access to non-public information in the Epstein files, and ensure that the FBI is actively developing mitigation strategies to protect national security.
Following his remarks on the Senate floor, Schumer criticized what he described as a cover-up regarding the Epstein case. He directed his criticism towards President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson.
“Trump had promised to release the Epstein files during his campaign, but has failed to do so,” Schumer stated during a press conference. “Speaker Johnson chose to shut down Congress and send everyone home on an Epstein recess to avoid addressing the issue. The lack of transparency is concerning, and there are legitimate questions about potential risks to national security.”
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer following the weekly Senate Democrat policy luncheon at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Pete Kiehart/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Expressing concerns about potential cyberattacks, Schumer raised questions about the implications of foreign governments obtaining sensitive information from the Epstein files. He emphasized the importance of releasing the files to prevent such security threats.
Highlighting recent hacking incidents involving government agencies, Schumer stressed the need to safeguard national security interests. He urged for maximum transparency and emphasized the importance of releasing the Epstein files to address public concerns.
While House Republicans supported the release of credible evidence, Johnson highlighted the importance of protecting victims’ identities and ensuring that sensitive information is handled responsibly.
During a meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, President Trump addressed questions about his past interactions with Epstein, stating that he had severed ties with Epstein due to inappropriate behavior.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Donald Trump, during a bilateral meeting at the Trump Turnberry golf course in Turnberry, Scotland, on Monday, July 28, 2025. (Tolga Akmen/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Trump also disclosed that he had declined an invitation to Epstein’s island and mentioned other prominent individuals who had visited the island. He emphasized his decision to reject the invitation and highlighted the need for transparency regarding the Epstein case.
Fox News’ Tyler Olson contributed to this report.
