Topline
Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., won’t vote for Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s nomination to move forward unless Blanche meets with victims of Jeffrey Epstein, Tillis said Thursday, after Blanche claimed to lawmakers Wednesday he would meet with Epstein victims “today” if he could—but one of those victims testified Thursday he’s never made an effort to reach out.
Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., questions Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche during his confirmation hearing to be Attorney General on July 15.
CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
Key Facts
Tillis said at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing he has “not made a final decision” on whether to vote for Blanche’s confirmation and, referring to Blanche meeting with Epstein victims, said he “expect[s] that meeting to occur before I’m willing to vote [Blanche] out of this committee.”
Blanche’s nomination as attorney general has to first be approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee before going to the full Republican-controlled Senate for a vote.
Epstein victims have long protested they’ve been unable to meet with the Justice Department about Epstein and the Epstein files, which victims complained included some of their information.
Blanche testified during his confirmation hearing Wednesday he was willing to meet with victims and their counsel, flip-flopping after previously claiming during the hearing he legally wasn’t allowed to meet with the victims directly.
Epstein victim Dani Bensky sharply criticized Blanche to the committee Thursday for not communicating with her and other survivors, saying the acting AG has “simply ignored us for the last eight months” and “been radio silent.”
The Justice Department has not yet responded to a request for comment.
Crucial Quote
“I’m trying to get to yes, but this is a very important part of getting to yes,” Tillis said Thursday about his condition that Blanche meet with Epstein victims, noting he has a “positive predisposition” toward the nominee. “If he said he could do it today, then he can certainly do it over the next two weeks,” Tillis added about Blanche meeting with victims.
What to Watch for
The Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to vote on Blanche’s confirmation in two weeks. Republicans only hold a one-seat majority on the committee after Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., died over the weekend, making Tillis’ vote crucial to moving the nomination forward.
Will Any Other Republican Senators Vote Against Blanche?
In addition to Tillis, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, also expressed reservations about Blanche. Cornyn, who also sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee, told reporters Wednesday he still remained undecided about approving Blanche after questioning the acting AG during his confirmation hearing, saying he still needs better assurances from Blanche that the DOJ will not move forward with its $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund for political allies of President Donald Trump.
Further Reading
Todd Blanche Says ‘Sorry’ To Epstein Victims—But Defends DOJ—In Testy Confirmation Hearing (Forbes)