Epstein Victims Urge Senators to Reject Trump's AG Nominee

WHO:

NBC News - A group of Jeffrey Epstein survivors, including Liz Stein and Joanna Harrison, is involved in urging the Senate to oppose Todd Blanche’s nomination.

Alternet - Todd Blanche is the Acting U.S. Attorney General nominated by Trump to take over the position permanently.

WHAT:

Alternet - During the confirmation hearing, Democrats intend to highlight Blanche's role in an Epstein-related meeting with Trump officials, emphasizing that the Epstein scandal may be Blanche's greatest vulnerability.

Alternet - Judge Kathleen Williams has referred Todd Blanche to the Bar for possible disciplinary action, stating that his actions may have attempted to defraud the court.

Alternet - Blanche has been accused of illegally suppressing Epstein files and has conceded that the Department of Justice violated the Epstein Files Transparency Act.

CNN - Blanche's confirmation hearing is critical as he faces tough questions about his handling of the Epstein scandal and his relationship with Trump.

CNN - Blanche has faced criticism for a string of contentious moves, including indictments against James Comey and the Southern Poverty Law Center, and rollbacks of gun control measures.

Alternet - Blanche has been called out by Judge Kathleen Williams for possible disciplinary action related to a ruling involving the Justice Department.

Alternet - Blanche has been accused of treating the Justice Department as Trump's personal law firm and has assured White House officials of moving quickly against Trump's targets.

CNN - Blanche's team has developed a focused effort to shore up support from Republicans through private meetings on Capitol Hill, where he attempted to personally assure lawmakers about his commitment to their concerns.

CNN - Blanche has been prepping for the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing for more than a week and has participated in at least one practice run of the hearing.

Alternet - Blanche personally interviewed Ghislaine Maxwell in prison before her transfer to a minimum-security facility.

NBC News - A dozen Epstein survivors released a PSA urging senators to vote against Todd Blanche, claiming he is responsible for releasing personal information that should have been redacted.

Alternet - During the confirmation hearing, Democrats plan to highlight Blanche's role in an Epstein-related meeting with Trump officials.

Alternet - Judge Kathleen Williams has called for possible disciplinary action against Todd Blanche, stating that his actions may have attempted to defraud the court.

Alternet - Blanche has been accused of illegally suppressing Epstein files and has conceded that the Department of Justice violated the Epstein Files Transparency Act.

Alternet - Blanche signed a "Release Order" that immunizes Trump and his family from future prosecutions.

CNN - Blanche's confirmation hearing is critical as he faces tough questions about his handling of the Epstein scandal and his relationship with Trump.

Alternet - Newly discovered emails show that Blanche encouraged Trump's use of the DOJ against political foes, which will be a focal point during his confirmation hearing.

Alternet - During the confirmation hearing, Democrats intend to use their limited ability to call witnesses to have at least one Epstein survivor appear, which could be a highlight of the hearing.

CNN - Blanche has been prepping for the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing for more than a week and has participated in at least one practice run of the hearing.

CNN - Blanche announced that “we are not moving forward with the fund, period,” regarding the nearly $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund.

CNN - Blanche has faced criticism for a string of contentious moves, including indictments against James Comey and the Southern Poverty Law Center, and rollbacks of gun control measures.

NBC News - Epstein survivors released a PSA asking senators to vote against Todd Blanche for attorney general.

Alternet - Blanche's nomination is complicated by the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham and Sen. Mitch McConnell's illness.

Alternet - Blanche has been called out by Judge Kathleen Williams for possible disciplinary action related to a ruling involving the Justice Department.

Alternet - Blanche has been accused of illegally suppressing Epstein files and has conceded that the Department of Justice violated the Epstein Files Transparency Act.

Alternet - Blanche signed a "Release Order" that immunizes Trump and his family from future prosecutions.

WHERE:

NBC News - The confirmation hearing is taking place in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Alternet - An emergency meeting involving Todd Blanche occurred in the White House Situation Room.

WHEN:

Alternet - Blanche's confirmation hearing is scheduled for July 15 and July 16.

Alternet - A year ago, on July 17, 2025, Todd Blanche attended an emergency meeting regarding the Epstein investigation.

Alternet - On June 2, 2026, Todd Blanche testified before the United States House of Representatives.

WHY:

CNN - Concerns over Blanche's chances in the Senate peaked in late May, when a closed-door meeting on the anti-weaponization fund ended with multiple lawmakers publicly criticizing him.

NBC News - Epstein survivors claim Blanche is responsible for releasing personal information about them that should have been redacted.

Alternet - The Epstein scandal is viewed as a significant vulnerability for Blanche during his confirmation hearing.

HOW:

Alternet - Blanche has been accused of treating the Justice Department as Trump's personal law firm and has assured White House officials of moving quickly against Trump's targets.

Alternet - Blanche personally interviewed Ghislaine Maxwell in prison before her transfer to a minimum-security facility.

(UPDATED July 14, 2026 17:22 UTC)

Todd Blanche's confirmation hearing is set for July 15 and July 16, where Democrats plan to spotlight his involvement in an Epstein-related meeting with Trump officials, which they believe could be his biggest vulnerability. Judge Kathleen Williams has referred Blanche to the Bar for potential disciplinary action, citing concerns that he may have attempted to defraud the court and has been accused of illegally suppressing Epstein files. As he prepares for the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Blanche has been working to gain support from Republicans through private meetings on Capitol Hill, while facing scrutiny over his controversial actions, including his handling of the Justice Department.

(UPDATED July 14, 2026 13:23 UTC)

A dozen survivors of Jeffrey Epstein have released a public service announcement urging senators to vote against Todd Blanche, citing his responsibility for improperly releasing personal information that should have been kept confidential. During Blanche's confirmation hearing, Democrats plan to emphasize his involvement in an Epstein-related meeting with Trump officials, while Judge Kathleen Williams has suggested potential disciplinary action against him for actions that may have attempted to defraud the court. Additionally, newly uncovered emails reveal that Blanche encouraged Trump to use the Department of Justice against political adversaries, making this confirmation hearing a critical moment as he faces tough scrutiny over his handling of the Epstein scandal and his ties to Trump.

(UPDATED July 14, 2026 09:32 UTC)

During the upcoming Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Democrats plan to call at least one Epstein survivor as a witness, which could become a significant moment in the proceedings. Blanche has been preparing for this hearing for over a week and has already participated in a practice run, but he recently announced that “we are not moving forward with the fund, period,” regarding the nearly $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund. Facing criticism for various contentious decisions, including indictments against James Comey and the Southern Poverty Law Center, Blanche's team is working to gain support from Republicans through private meetings on Capitol Hill.

(UPDATED July 14, 2026 00:12 UTC)

A group of Jeffrey Epstein survivors, including Liz Stein and Joanna Harrison, is urging the Senate to oppose Todd Blanche’s nomination as the permanent U.S. Attorney General, a position nominated by Trump. The confirmation hearing is set for July 15 and July 16, and it comes amid serious allegations against Blanche, including accusations of illegally suppressing Epstein files and treating the Justice Department as Trump's personal law firm. Survivors claim that Blanche is responsible for releasing personal information that should have been redacted, adding to the scrutiny he faces during this critical hearing.