Luna Proposes Life Sentence for Officials Destroying Federal Records

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., has introduced a new legislative proposal aimed at imposing severe penalties on federal officials who destroy or conceal government records.

The proposed Stopping High-level Record Elimination and Destruction (SHRED) Act of 2025 would mandate a sentence of 20 years to life for any government employee, particularly within the Department of Justice (DOJ) or the intelligence community, found guilty of willfully concealing, removing, or mutilating federal records. Luna’s proposal comes amidst ongoing tensions with the DOJ over the declassification of critical documents related to high-profile cases involving Jeffrey Epstein and the assassination of President John F. Kennedy Jr.

“It’s essential that transparency is upheld within our government, especially regarding issues of significant public interest,” said Luna in a statement. “If we don’t take a stand against the destruction of records, we’re allowing corruption to fester.”

Current federal law provides for penalties of up to 20 years in prison for anyone knowingly destroying or falsifying government records with the intent to obstruct legal investigations. Additionally, public records custodians face fines of up to $2,000 or imprisonment for up to three years for similar offenses.

Luna’s push for enhanced penalties gained urgency due to her frustrations with the DOJ’s responsiveness regarding the Epstein documents. According to Luna, she has not had significant communication with the DOJ concerning her request for transparency. “The DOJ has not been really responsive,” she told Fox News Digital. “Even if they are conducting a criminal investigation, communication is vital.”

Former Attorney General Pam Bondi previously stated that she felt misled about the availability of documents concerning Epstein. She revealed that the Southern District of New York has been holding thousands of pages of documents related to Epstein, which she claims she was not initially made aware of. “The American people have a right to know,” Bondi said during an earlier television appearance.

Bondi addressed the unfinished business surrounding the Epstein files on the popular Fox News program ‘Hannity,’ stating that her office is committed to ensuring the information becomes public, albeit with necessary redactions to protect sensitive information.

In addition to targeting records destruction, Luna’s agenda also includes efforts to declassify information related to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. “We need to ensure that the American public can access information relevant to their history and governance,” she argued.

Meanwhile, increasing pressure from conservative circles for the DOJ to release the Epstein documents is evident, with claims that federal agents working to protect high-profile cases may have obstructed further investigation into the matter.

While Luna seeks accountability through her proposed legislation, the DOJ has not commented on her statements or the status of any ongoing investigations.

Elizabeth Elkind is a politics reporter for Fox News Digital, covering developments in the House of Representatives and reporting on critical national issues.