Jeffrey Epstein survivors have raised alarm that Todd Blanche's confirmation as attorney general would derail their pursuit of justice, citing mishandling of the case and suppression of investigations.
Survivors' Letter to Senators
In a letter urging Republican senators Thom Tillis and John Cornyn to reject his nomination, the survivors said that Blanche's handling of the Epstein case as acting attorney general was characterized by misstep after misstep. They noted that Blanche allowed the disclosure of survivors' names, photos and identifying information—but omitted the names of accused abusers and enablers.
While more than 1,000 teenage girls and women were abused, not a single person other than Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell faced charges, they said. In a recent sit-down with survivors at Tillis's urging, survivors “received an hour of deflection, interruption and gaslighting,” they said.
Legal Experts' Predictions
Legal veterans told the Guardian that a Blanche-led DoJ would likely derail efforts for accountability. Bryan Sullivan, a partner with Early Sullivan Wright Gizer & McRae, said a confirmation would mean “more suppression and no active investigations” into Epstein's sex-trafficking. “I think it's because that's what Trump wants. He wants this to go away,” Sullivan said.
Ron Kuby, a defense lawyer focused on civil rights, said: “It means that no other perpetrators will be held criminally liable for their misconduct. That's no different from the way it's been throughout the Trump administration and the Biden administration.”
Political Context
Trump's justice department only released dribs and drabs of information until Congress forced its hand following embarrassing disclosures. Blanche's meeting with Maxwell in prison last summer, followed by her transfer to a lower-security facility, further heightened outrage.
Carl Tobias, the Williams chair in law at the University of Richmond School of Law, said that even if Blanche were not confirmed, he could serve as acting attorney general for the rest of Trump's term. “I can't be very optimistic about what he might do – if anything – about the Epstein files, or to give much comfort to the survivors.”
Legal Avenues and Challenges
While legal avenues exist outside the DoJ, attorneys cautioned of uphill battles. Sullivan noted that Foia requests and lawsuits are lengthy processes. “Courts are grossly underfunded [and] understaffed,” he said. Kuby added that litigation against federal authorities over the Epstein investigation is “exceptionally difficult to win.”
Asked for comment, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said: “Todd Blanche has done an excellent job as acting attorney general and will continue doing so as attorney general.” A justice department spokesperson said Blanche and officials “met with Epstein victims last week and had a productive, initial discussion,” encouraging them to meet with FBI investigators.
Survivors' Advocates Remain Hopeful
Gretchen Carlson and Julie Roginsky expressed hope despite setbacks. Carlson said she was disappointed in Republicans but added, “We don't know who's going to potentially step up to the plate.” Roginsky called a Blanche confirmation a “slap in the face” but noted advances in the movement: “If you think about how far our movement has come just in the last decade, we've seen tremendous advances.”
