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S. 2557: Epstein Files Transparency Act

The Epstein Files Transparency Act is a proposed legislation aimed at ensuring the release of various documents and materials connected to Jeffrey Epstein and associated individuals. Here are the main points of what the bill would do:

1. Requirement for Document Release

The Attorney General is required to make publicly available, within 30 days of the bill's enactment, all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials held by the Department of Justice regarding:

Jeffrey Epstein, including investigations, prosecutions, or custody matters.
Ghislaine Maxwell.
Flight logs and travel records for any vehicle used by Epstein or his associates.
Individuals named in connection with Epstein’s criminal activities, civil settlements, or immunity deals.
Entities linked to Epstein’s trafficking or financial networks.
Immunity agreements or plea bargains involving Epstein or his associates.
Internal communications within the Department of Justice regarding decisions related to Epstein.
Documents concerning the destruction or alteration of records related to Epstein.
Documentation concerning Epstein’s detention and death, including incident reports and autopsy records.

2. Limitations on Withholding Information

The Attorney General cannot withhold or delay the release of any documents on the grounds of embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity, which includes materials related to government officials or public figures.

3. Permissible Withholdings

There are specific conditions under which the Attorney General can withhold or redact documents:

To protect personally identifiable information about victims or child witnesses.
If the material contains child pornography.
If withholding the information is necessary due to an active investigation.
If it involves images of death or physical harm.
If it contains nationally sensitive information classified under executive orders.

4. Justification for Redactions

For any material that is redacted, the Attorney General must document and publish the justification for the redactions in the Federal Register and report to Congress.

5. Declassification Efforts

The Attorney General must aim to declassify as much information as possible that is otherwise eligible to be withheld or redacted and, if certain information cannot be disclosed, provide an unclassified summary of that information to the public.

6. Reporting to Congress

Within 15 days after the release of documents, the Attorney General must submit a report to the Senate and House Judiciary Committees detailing:

The categories of material made publicly available or withheld.
Summaries of redactions and the legal bases for them.
A list of government officials or public figures who are mentioned in the documents without redaction.