{"id":2630102,"date":"2026-07-15T12:36:02","date_gmt":"2026-07-15T16:36:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/todd-blanche-confronts-democrats-questions-over-epstein-files\/"},"modified":"2026-07-15T12:36:42","modified_gmt":"2026-07-15T16:36:42","slug":"todd-blanche-confronts-democrats-questions-over-epstein-files","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/todd-blanche-confronts-democrats-questions-over-epstein-files\/","title":{"rendered":"Todd Blanche confronts Democrats\u2019 questions over Epstein files"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ftodd-blanche-confronts-democrats-questions-over-epstein-files%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2630102&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Todd Blanche, President Trump&#8217;s nominee for attorney general, addressed questions regarding his potential interactions with Jeffrey Epstein&#8217;s victims.Blanche stated he could meet with victims but must communicate thru their attorneys if they are represented. Senator Dick Durbin emphasized the importance of personally hearing from victims within 30 days, pressing Blanche for a commitment to do so under oath. Blanche assured that the Department of Justice (DOJ) has professionals prepared to meet with victims promptly and has already engaged with over 30 attorneys representing Epstein&#8217;s victims.<\/p>\n<p>The hearing also covered concerns over the handling of Epstein-related records. durbin responded to Republican criticisms by explaining efforts to obtain pertinent records and denied claims that there was a lack of cooperation. Blanche highlighted that the DOJ reviewed more than six million pages under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, corrected any improperly disclosed data, and provided unredacted documents to Congress for oversight. He emphasized that he has never refused to meet with victims and committed to doing everything possible to prosecute those responsible for crimes against Epstein\u2019s victims. The session underscored ongoing debates about transparency, victim engagement, and accountability in Epstein-related investigations.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\">Donald Trump\u2019s<\/a> nominee for attorney general, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/Todd-Blanche\/\">Todd Blanche<\/a>, said Wednesday that he could meet with disgraced and convicted sex offender <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/jeffrey-epstein\/\">Jeffrey Epstein\u2019s<\/a> victims but could not directly approach survivors represented by lawyers, responding to Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/Dick-Durbin\/\">Dick Durbin\u2019s<\/a> (D-IL) demands that he personally hear from 10 victims within 30 days, among other Epstein-related questions the Justice Department nominee faced on Capitol Hill.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During Blanche\u2019s Senate Judiciary Committee <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4648627\/todd-blanche-hearing-test-senate-gop-support\/\">confirmation hearing<\/a>, Durbin said the victims in attendance had repeatedly sought a meeting with the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/department-of-justice\/\">Justice Department<\/a> or the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/fbi\/\">FBI<\/a>.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4649228\/byron-york-warns-fallout-democrats-eliminate-filibuster-2028\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Democrats nixing the filibuster in 2028 could trigger \u2018bad series of events\u2019: Byron York<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4649175\/tom-cotton-obstacle-permanent-daylight-saving-time-legislation\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Why Tom Cotton is a major obstacle to daylight saving time<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4648655\/tillis-shaheen-recommend-mike-rounds-angus-king-senate-nato-observer-group\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Senate\u2019s NATO group leaders float Mike Rounds and Angus King as successors<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">FILE \u2013 Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., speaks as Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, listens during an oversight hearing at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, March 3, 2026. (AP Photo\/J. Scott Applewhite, File)<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; data-large-file=&#8221;https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2026\/07\/localimages\/AP26142653845956.jpg?w=696&#8243; &#8220;https:><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) speaks as Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) listens during an oversight hearing at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, March 3, 2026. (J. Scott Applewhite\/AP Photo, File)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cCan I get your word under oath that within the next 30 days you will personally sit down with these 10 victims and hear their case?\u201d the Illinois Democrat asked.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Blanche said the department had officials prepared to meet with the women immediately, but communications with represented clients must go through their attorneys.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThey have lawyers, as you know. I\u2019m prohibited from meeting directly with them,\u201d Blanche said. \u201cBut if they are represented by counsel, we will work with their counsel.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Abhishek Kambli, the DOJ\u2019s former deputy associate attorney general, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/AbhiKambli1984\/status\/2077397974104080672\">chimed in on X<\/a> that Blanche\u2019s legal assessment of his authority to meet with victims was correct.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe DOJ (and any other attorney) is prohibited from meeting with someone when they are represented by counsel without going through their counsel first,\u201d Kambli said. \u201cDoes not mean a meeting can\u2019t occur but they have to go through attorneys to make that happen.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche appears before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, July 15, 2026.\u00a0 (AP Photo\/Mark Schiefelbein)<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; data-large-file=&#8221;https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2026\/07\/localimages\/AP26196502061952.jpg?w=696&#8243; &#8220;https:><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche appears before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (Mark Schiefelbein\/AP Photo)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He said DOJ officials had already met with more than 30 attorneys representing Epstein victims and said the department could arrange a meeting \u201cas soon as today.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sen. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/marsha-blackburn\/\">Marsha Blackburn<\/a> (R-TN) argued Democrats\u2019 new urgency over the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/epstein-files\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"17582\">Epstein files<\/a> contrasted with their handling of the matter while they controlled the Senate. Blackburn said she had repeatedly sought subpoenas for Epstein-related banking records and flight logs during the previous Congress, when Durbin chaired the Judiciary Committee.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Durbin disputed that account, saying he had repeatedly sought to recognize Blackburn so she could offer an amendment related to Epstein flight logs, but Republican senators prevented it through a filibuster and by invoking other procedural maneuvers to stop her. He also said many records, including flight logs, had been public for years and that his staff later contacted Blackburn to identify any records she believed remained unreleased. Durbin said she never responded.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Blackburn pushed back, saying video and transcripts supported her account and that she would forward them to Blanche.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The exchange came as Democrats accused Blanche and the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/trump-administration\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"339\">Trump administration<\/a> of mishandling the release of Epstein-related records and of failing victims.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Blanche rebutted those claims by pointing to the DOJ\u2019s review of more than 6 million pages under the Epstein Files Transparency Act. He acknowledged that some victim information was improperly disclosed but said the department removed and corrected the records once notified and made unredacted versions available to members of Congress for oversight. Blanche said the review occurred under statutory deadlines and court-ordered victim protections.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4649115\/todd-blanche-congress-attorney-general-confirmation\/\">WATCH LIVE: TODD BLANCHE TESTIFIES BEFORE CONGRESS AT ATTORNEY GENERAL CONFIRMATION HEARING<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI have never said I will not meet with survivors,\u201d Blanche said.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-5\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-26\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-5\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhen it comes to the victims of this horrible man, we will never, never not talk to victims,\u201d he added. \u201cWe will never not do everything we can to prosecute anybody that committed any crimes against any of these women. So that narrative is false. We have spoken with over 30 representatives of dozens and dozens of victims since this process started.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Trump\u2019s nominee Todd Blanche can meet Epstein victims but not directly with their lawyers<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2633,"featured_media":2630103,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AP26196474409849.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[9006,3976,4431,5894],"class_list":["post-2630102","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-epstein","tag-investigation","tag-legal","tag-politics"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AP26196474409849.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2630102","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2633"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2630102"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2630102\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2630105,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2630102\/revisions\/2630105"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2630103"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2630102"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2630102"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2630102"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}