Senator Gallego Pressed Senate Colleagues to Demand DOJ Release the Epstein Files
WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) spoke on the Senate floor on his resolution calling on the Justice Department to release its files related to the investigation of Jeffrey Epstein.
Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) objected and blocked unanimous consent of the resolution.
Watch Senator Gallego’s speech HERE.
Read the speech below:
“Mr. President,
“I am introducing this resolution to require the Department of Justice to release its files related to Jeffrey Epstein.
“For years, Donald Trump and the MAGA movement have railed on about the Epstein files. They’ve told the American people that they were going to release the files and expose the elites. Pam Bondi has said she has the files on her desk and they’re ready to go public. The names of these shady elites who had abused children were just sitting there, and she was ready for it to be released.
“But now, a complete reversal. Trump is straight up gaslighting the American public. Does he think the American people are that dumb? Did he really think the American people would not forget what he had said for years on the campaign trail?
“Just yesterday we learned that the Trump Administration abruptly fired one of the lead prosecutors in the Epstein case. No explanation. No warning. Just gone.
“So what happened? It’s really easy to run a campaign to rile up people. But when it was Trump’s turn to actually expose the elites, Trump has chickened out. And it’s because he is one of those elites—and he is taking care of his own.
“It’s all connected—just look at his legislative agenda. Tax breaks for his rich buddies, subsidizing private jet purchases. Again and again, he rigs the system against everyday Americans.
“And that’s what this resolution is about. To show the American people that they deserve the truth. No more shady coverups. If there is any evidence of a coverup in the Epstein case, the public has a right to know. If there’s a list, the public deserves to see it. And Americans deserve to see the truth—even if it’s not what Donald Trump and his elite friends want.
“If the Department of Justice has these files and there’s nothing to hide, then release them and prove it. Trump’s own people have told us a million times that they have it, and that they’ve promised to make it public, so bring it out. It doesn’t matter who is implicated in that. The American people are done with these games, these lies, and the two systems of justice—one for the elites, and one for everyone else.
“Enough with the secrets, the American people deserve the truth.
“So I’m calling on my fellow Senators to join me in demanding the Department of Justice release the Epstein files to restore public trust, affirm institutional accountability, and to prevent the politicization of justice.”
7/17/25