Jeffrey Epstein survivors have voiced significant alarm over the impending confirmation of Todd Blanche, former defence lawyer for Donald Trump, as the new US Attorney General. They contend that a Justice Department under his leadership would severely undermine their ongoing efforts to secure justice and accountability for Epstein's extensive sex-trafficking network.
These concerns were formally communicated in a letter to Republican senators Thom Tillis and John Cornyn, urging them to reject Blanche's nomination. The survivors criticised Blanche's past conduct regarding the Epstein case during his tenure as acting attorney general, alleging a series of missteps. Specifically, they claim that while leading the disclosure of documents mandated by the bipartisan Epstein Files Transparency Act, Blanche permitted the release of survivors' names, photographs, and other identifying details, yet failed to disclose the names of alleged abusers and enablers. They also highlighted that despite over 1,000 girls and women being abused, only Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell have faced charges.
Legal professionals have echoed these worries. Bryan Sullivan, a partner at Early Sullivan Wright Gizer & McRae, suggested that a Blanche-led DoJ would likely result in "more suppression and no active investigations" into Epstein's crimes, attributing this potential outcome to the Trump administration's desire for the issue to subside. Ron Kuby, a prominent civil rights defence lawyer, shared similar sentiments, predicting that no other perpetrators would be held criminally liable. He noted that this would be consistent with the approach seen throughout both the Trump and Biden administrations, where many wealthy individuals linked to Epstein's circle have not faced justice.
The controversy surrounding Blanche's potential appointment has intensified, particularly given broader criticisms of the Trump administration's handling of Epstein-related information. Despite campaign promises to release all Epstein files, the Justice Department initially provided limited disclosures, only releasing more comprehensive information after congressional intervention. Further adding to the outrage, Blanche's meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell in prison last summer, followed by her transfer to a lower-security facility, raised additional questions about the DoJ's transparency and commitment to the case.
Carl Tobias, a law professor at the University of Richmond, cautioned that even without formal Senate confirmation, Blanche could still serve as acting attorney general for the remainder of Trump's term, retaining substantial control over the Epstein case. While formal confirmation would grant him more power, Tobias expressed little optimism regarding any potential actions Blanche might take concerning the Epstein files or in providing comfort to survivors. Despite these challenges, victims' advocates remain resolute, asserting that potential roadblocks under Blanche would not represent a permanent impediment to their pursuit of justice.