Full Breakdown
Todd Blanche’s Attorney General Nomination Faces Survivor Opposition Over Epstein Files
7/15/2026, 4:20:56 AM
Core Event: Survivors Urge Senators to Reject Nomination
A coalition of women who survived Jeffrey Epstein’s sex-trafficking operation released a video through the advocacy group World Without Exploitation, urging Senate members to vote against Todd Blanche’s permanent appointment as U.S. attorney general. Blanche, who has served as acting attorney general since President Donald Trump dismissed Pam Bondi in April, is slated for a confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee this week.
Background & Context: Epstein Files Transparency Act and Redaction Failures
Congress passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act on Nov. 19, 2025, mandating the Department of Justice (DOJ) to create a searchable database of all investigative material related to Epstein and his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell within 30 days. The DOJ released roughly 3.5 million documents in three batches during December 2025 and January 2026, but only half of the six million files collected have been made public. Redaction errors exposed victims’ names, nude photographs, and personal details while shielding the identities of powerful individuals mentioned in the records.
Key Figures & Groups
- Todd Blanche – Acting attorney general, former deputy attorney general, and longtime Trump defense attorney.
- Liz Stein and Joanna Harrison – Epstein survivors featured in the video and interviewed by NBC News.
- Danielle Bensky – Survivor invited by Senate Judiciary Democrats to testify.
- Liz Oyer – Former DOJ pardon attorney slated to appear alongside Bensky.
- Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) – Recipient of a letter signed by 31 advocates and survivors.
- Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) – Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Democratic side, who announced the witness list.
- World Without Exploitation – Campaign group that produced the survivors’ video.
Data & Statistics
- More than 1,200 Epstein victims have been identified; only two individuals have faced criminal charges.
- The DOJ released approximately 3.5 million documents, representing roughly half of the 6 million files amassed.
- The released files contain over 38,000 references to President Trump.
- 31 advocates and survivors wrote to Sen. Tillis; over 1,200 former DOJ employees have cited a “culture of fear” under Blanche.
Official Statements & Responses
Sen. Dick Durbin said, “Dani Bensky is a brave survivor of Jeffrey Epstein’s horrific crimes… her name has been included in multiple batches of released Epstein Files, due to Todd Blanche’s failures.” Blanche told Fox News in April, “I think that, to the extent that the Epstein files was a part of the past year of this Justice Department, it should not be a part of anything going forward.”
Criticism & Opposition
Survivors argue that Blanche’s department “exposed nude pictures of victims” and jeopardized family safety, violating the duty to protect victims. Their letter to Sen. Tillis asserts that “crime victims… deserve an attorney general whose allegiance is to the rule of law alone.” Advocates also highlight that the DOJ “withheld key information about alleged perpetrators and other powerful individuals” while releasing identifying details of victims.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the total volume of released material: one account cites “around 3.5 million documents” in three tranches, while another notes that “only half of the 6 million documents collected” have been disclosed. Additionally, the DOJ has not provided a clear accounting of investigative leads despite survivors’ claim of a “mountain of evidence.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “We were exposed. Nude pictures of victims were released. Our family safety was put at risk. Now Todd Blanche wants to be the attorney general of the United States,” — World Without Exploitation video
- “Todd Blanche had a duty to protect us. Instead, he protected the people who committed crimes against us,” — World Without Exploitation video
- “beyond concerning to us,” — Liz Stein, NBC News interview
- “I think that, to the extent that the Epstein files was a part of the past year of this Justice Department, it should not be a part of anything going forward,” — Todd Blanche, Fox News interview
What’s Next
The Senate Judiciary Committee will hold Blanche’s confirmation hearing this week, followed by testimony from survivor Danielle Bensky and former DOJ attorney Liz Oyer on Thursday. Senators are expected to scrutinize Blanche’s handling of the Epstein files before casting their votes on his permanent appointment.
