The confirmation process of acting Attorney General Todd Blanche faced significant hurdles on its second day of testimony. The proceedings were interrupted after Republican Senator Thom Tillis pledged to block the process until Blanche agreed to meet with women claiming abuse by Jeffrey Epstein. This decision tightened the balance on the Senate Judiciary Committee, where Republicans currently have a slim one-vote majority. Without unanimous support from GOP members, Blanche’s nomination cannot proceed.
Senator Insists on Survivor Meetings
Senator Thom Tillis, representing North Carolina and the Republican Party, announced he would not vote for Blanche’s nomination unless he meets with Epstein’s survivors. With the Republicans maintaining a delicate 11-10 majority on the committee following Senator Lindsey Graham’s passing, Tillis’ firm stance effectively suspends the nomination.
“I’m trying to get to yes, but this is a very important part of getting to yes,” Tillis stated, suggesting Blanche could plan the meeting within two weeks. Agreeing with Tillis, Senator Dick Durbin from Illinois emphasized that Blanche “should not get a vote” until survivor meetings are held.
DOJ Criticized for Privacy Violations
Jeffrey Epstein survivor Dani Bensky recounted to senators how the Department of Justice failed to protect her identity in various releases of the Epstein files. She criticized Blanche for his meetings with Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s acquaintance.
As Blanche seeks a permanent appointment, his pathway becomes increasingly uncertain. Several survivors, alongside lawmakers, insist that Blanche’s reluctance to meet with victims could halt his nomination.
Bensky’s account was particularly poignant, underscoring the issue for survivors whose personal information, such as names and contact details, was publicly exposed in DOJ documents. “These documents contain disturbing yet incomplete accounts of my abuse,” noted Bensky. “This exposure was not only humiliating but put my personal relationships at risk.”
In particular, Bensky highlighted how unredacted documents featured her name multiple times, with repeated legal efforts failing to prevent future disclosures. She mentioned the DOJ did not address these breaches until months after Blanche testified the issue had been “rectified immediately.” “That is entirely not true,” Bensky clarified, revealing some personal information remains available online.
The hearing featured emotional moments as survivors held childhood photos, showing their young ages during Epstein’s alleged abuses. The event drew in family members, including Virginia Giuffre’s family, who opposed Blanche’s nomination.
Survivors Criticize Meetings with Maxwell
Bensky condemned Blanche’s interactions with Maxwell and his failure to engage with survivors. “He spent about nine hours with Maxwell but not even nine minutes with a survivor,” she remarked. The testimony highlighted how survivors discovered news of Maxwell’s transfer to a low-security facility only through media reports. “Imagine being a survivor—left with no explanation or transparency,” Bensky expressed.
Her assertion contradicted Blanche’s earlier claim of legal restrictions preventing meetings with represented survivors—a statement criticized as false by Democratic senators.
Calls for DOJ Accountability
Bensky also accused the DOJ of blocking a local investigation in New Mexico, where Attorney General Raul Torrez awaits key records on Epstein’s Zorro Ranch for over 130 days. “It’s obstruction. They are obstructing,” she lamented.
Blanche faces added scrutiny from figures like former DOJ pardon attorney Liz Oyer, who accused him of dishonesty under oath and promoting threats against judges through his criticism of courts opposed to the Trump administration.
Future of Blanche’s Confirmation
Blanche’s confirmation now hangs in the balance. Republican Senator John Cornyn from Texas remains undecided, pointing to concerns regarding the Trump administration’s $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund. A potential no vote from Cornyn—and unity among Democrats—would further confine Blanche’s nomination in committee.
Epstein survivors demand accountability, transparency, and genuine engagement from leading law enforcement officials. “We deserve to be heard directly, not dismissed and ignored,” stated Bensky.
As developments unfold, further updates are anticipated.