Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche faces questions at his Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation process about the Justice Department’s handling of Jeffrey Epstein-related matters and transparency with survivors. During the hearing, Sen. Dick Durbin pressed Blanche on whether he would meet with Epstein survivors, and asked for a commitment regarding future meetings.
Blanche initially indicated he would ensure the DOJ meets and talks to victims as part of the department’s prosecutorial responsibilities. However, when Durbin pressed on why Blanche had not met with survivors yet, Blanche said he could not meet directly with survivors if they are represented by counsel, adding that he has met with survivors’ counsel and that DOJ staff have done so as well. Blanche also stated that meetings could occur soon, describing the department as available to meet.
Other reporting and survivor accounts dispute aspects of his statements. One source reports that survivors previously said Blanche had not met with them, and pointed to earlier remarks and public claims about prior meetings involving Blanche and DOJ officials. Survivors have also raised concerns about the release and redaction of Epstein files, including privacy and safety issues.
