A group of politicians from both major parties announced the introduction of the Epstein Files Transparency Act II (EFTA II) on 15 July, seeking to address what legal observers have characterized as enforcement gaps in the original Epstein Files Transparency Act signed into law on 19 November.
The original EFTA mandated that the justice department release investigative files within 30 days with limited exceptions. However, Epstein survivors and their supporters have reported encountering missed deadlines and what they describe as incomplete disclosures. Critics have also alleged that the justice department disclosed survivors’ personal information while withholding the names of individuals involved in Epstein’s alleged crimes.
The proposed EFTA II would grant state attorneys general, local district attorneys, survivors, and Congress members the authority to pursue court action against the justice department for non-compliance with disclosure requirements. The legislation would entitle survivors to unredacted records concerning themselves and their experiences, including FBI interview transcripts. State and local prosecutors would receive access to unredacted materials necessary for investigations and prosecutions. The bill would also subject justice department and FBI officials to federal criminal penalties for knowingly concealing, destroying, falsifying, withholding, or misrepresenting files.
Legal experts have indicated the proposal could advance transparency goals, though practical challenges remain. A law professor at the University of Richmond noted questions about legislative viability, including whether the measure could secure 60 votes in the Senate and whether the administration would sign it. Several legal observers acknowledged that even strengthened statutory language may not resolve delays or refusals if the agency continues resisting compliance.
Supporters of the bill, including lawmakers who have long advocated for transparency, argue the measure is necessary because Trump’s Department of Justice has not complied with existing requirements. The Trump administration has stated it has cooperated extensively with disclosure efforts and pursued investigations into individuals connected to Epstein. The Department of Justice did not respond to requests for comment on the proposed legislation or the criticisms surrounding its implementation of current law.
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