ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — Representative Anna Paulina Luna, representing Pinellas County, is at the helm of the Task Force on the Declassification of Federal Secrets, having been named its chair earlier this year.
The purpose of the task force is to oversee and ensure that federal agencies are disclosing information that holds public interest, particularly concerning the assassinations of political figures and the notorious financier Jeffrey Epstein.
“For whatever reason, it felt like sometimes I was the only one screaming about this on the Hill,” Luna said.
In February, Rep. Luna revealed that a whistleblower had reported the destruction of Epstein-related documents by a federal employee. This allegation is currently under investigation.
“Although I can’t share information about the individual that has been implicated in this, I will tell you that part of my job is ensuring that there is no government corruption,” Luna said.
After that, Luna introduced The Shred Act to prevent intelligence agencies from destroying documents for personal or political reasons.
“To address destruction. I don’t care which administration it is but to ensure that some of these agents, and also, too, these intelligence agencies, were not able to do that,” Luna said.
At the same time, Luna was pushing for the release of documents involving Epstein.
“Look, I was calling out my own people because I felt they weren’t taking this seriously, but I do now have an open line of communication.” Luna said.
That includes speaking with her fellow Tampa Bay resident, Attorney General Pam Bondi.
“I’ve been able to actually talk with her. I was very happy to see that she is going to be moving forward with asking for those grand jury testimonies to be unsealed,” Luna said.
That request came after the direction of President Trump, who the congresswoman doesn’t suspect is named in any criminal activity.
“I believe that the president was not engaged in crimes of trafficking in regards to Jeffrey Epstein,” Luna said.
The Pinellas County Republican said if President Trump was involved, then he would’ve likely been charged already.
As voices have grown alongside Luna demanding more transparency, while also protecting sex trafficking victims, the congresswoman has advice for the federal agencies involved with releasing details.
“The best way to handle this is the same way the DOJ handled the release of the JFK files, and they will be handling the release of the MLK files, which are not fully out yet,” Luna said.
Luna said any of the declassified documents released, the task force will ensure they’re uploaded onto the National Archives website so that taxpayers can read the information.
As for Ghislaine Maxwell, who was found guilty of heinous crimes helping Epstein, Luna said Maxwell should remain locked away. Recently, she offered to testify before Congress on the sex trafficking case. Luna said she believes that’s a push for a pardon.
