Senators Press Acting Attorney General Over Unkept Promise to Meet Epstein Survivors

Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Patty Murray (D-WA) sent a formal letter to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche demanding that he honor a commitment made two months earlier to meet with survivors of the late sex-trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. The senators set a deadline of July 28, 2026 for Blanche to confirm a meeting date, accusing him of prioritizing the protection of President Donald Trump over delivering justice to the victims.

HuffPost

During a May hearing before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, Blanche told lawmakers he would “absolutely” meet with Epstein survivors and claimed he had already spoken with several of them. A separate group of 17 survivors publicly stated that none of them had ever met with Blanche. Reporting by *The New York Times* indicates that Blanche and other senior Trump advisers convened in the White House Situation Room last June to discuss strategies for limiting political damage from the Epstein files, including proposals to release sealed grand-jury testimony or to have conservative media personalities interview co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell.

HuffPost

• Todd Blanche (May hearing): asserted his intention to meet survivors and suggested he had already done so.

HuffPost

• Senators Van Hollen and Murray (letter): emphasized the Attorney General’s duty to “pursue justice, not to shield the President,” and demanded a concrete response by the July 2026 deadline.

HuffPost

The senators argue that Blanche’s participation in the Situation-Room discussion demonstrates a conflict of interest, suggesting he is “more interested in minimizing damage to the President relating to his personal friendship” with Epstein than in addressing the survivors’ calls for accountability. They contend that any effort to delay or deflect the release of sealed grand-jury testimony serves to protect Trump’s reputation rather than advance the investigation.

HuffPost

• “Your responsibility as Acting Attorney General is to pursue justice, not to shield the President,” — Senators Chris Van Hollen and Patty Murray, letter

HuffPost

• “We therefore expect a response no later than July 28, 2026, confirming a date for the meeting with survivors you committed to hold.” — Senators Chris Van Hollen and Patty Murray, letter

HuffPost

• “A group of 17 survivors said none of them had ever met with Blanche.” — survivors’ statement (reported)

HuffPost

• “According to The New York Times, Blanche and other top Trump advisers met in the White House Situation Room last June to discuss ways to minimize the damage the Epstein files had done to the Republican party and Trump himself.” — reporting description

HuffPost

The senators’ demand underscores ongoing tensions between the Justice Department’s leadership and victims seeking accountability, while highlighting broader concerns about political interference in high-profile investigations.

HuffPost