17 Attorneys General Push New Law to Sue DOJ Over Withheld Epstein Files

A coalition of 17 state attorneys general is urging Congress to pass a new Epstein files law that would let states, survivors and lawmakers sue the Justice Department over records they say were withheld, delayed or heavily redacted.

New York Attorney General Letitia James announced the push on October 15, 2026, joining 16 other attorneys general in backing the Epstein Files Transparency Act II, a bill aimed at enforcing disclosure requirements Congress imposed under the original Epstein Files Transparency Act.

Under the proposal, state attorneys general, certain other state officials, members of Congress and Epstein survivors could bring federal lawsuits over allegedly withheld or improperly redacted records. Survivors would also gain access to unredacted records concerning themselves or the harm they suffered, including relevant FBI FD-302 interview reports.

Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., and Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández, D-N.M., introduced the measure in July, with Sens. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., and Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., leading the Senate version.

State and local prosecutors would also gain access to unredacted Epstein-related records needed for investigations, prosecutions and court proceedings, including secure access to classified material when necessary. The bill would also limit the government’s use of certain common-law privileges, including deliberative process privilege, to withhold covered records.

Federal officials who knowingly conceal or manipulate covered records could face existing criminal penalties. DOJ and FBI employees could be prosecuted for knowingly concealing, destroying, falsifying, withholding or misrepresenting material required to be disclosed.

James and the coalition argue that DOJ has fallen short of the first law’s disclosure requirements and want states and survivors to have their own enforcement route in federal court.

Congress enacted the original Epstein Files Transparency Act in November 2025. DOJ has since released millions of pages of Epstein-related material, while disputes over redactions and withheld records have continued.

Now, the attorneys general are pressing congressional leaders to advance the second measure so states and survivors can bring their own challenges over Epstein records they believe remain improperly withheld.

If enacted, the measure would open a new path for litigation over Epstein files and expand access to records held by DOJ and the FBI.

The bill remains pending in Congress.