Tillis withholds Blanche vote until AG pick meets Epstein survivors

The confirmation of Todd Blanche as the next U.S. Attorney General faces a significant hurdle after Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) announced he will not support the nomination unless the acting attorney general meets with survivors of the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Blanche, who currently serves as acting attorney general, appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee on July 15 for a confirmation hearing. His path to the top Justice Department post remains uncertain, as the committee is currently balanced with an 11-10 Republican majority following the July 11 death of Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.). With Democrats expected to oppose the nomination unanimously, a single Republican defection could prevent the nomination from reaching the Senate floor.

A Conditional Path to Confirmation

Senator Tillis, a member of the Judiciary Committee, stated on July 16 that while he is “trying to get to yes,” he views the meeting with Epstein survivors as a mandatory prerequisite for his support. “I expect that meeting to occur before I’m willing to vote him out of committee,” Tillis said.

During the hearing, Blanche expressed openness to the meeting but noted legal constraints regarding direct contact. “I’m prohibited from meeting directly with them,” Blanche told the committee, explaining that because the survivors are represented by attorneys, the Justice Department must coordinate through their counsel. Blanche emphasized that the department has already been in communication with more than 30 attorneys representing Epstein victims.

Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas), another key member of the committee, has not committed to supporting the nominee. When asked about the request for a meeting with survivors, Cornyn noted, “I think it would be good to do that, yeah.”

Controversy Over the Epstein Files

The nomination has been clouded by questions regarding the Justice Department’s handling of records related to Jeffrey Epstein. Under the Epstein Files Transparency Act passed in 2025, the DOJ was ordered to create a searchable database of files regarding Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell.

Former Attorney General Pam Bondi, who was fired by President Trump in April, previously testified that Blanche—then her deputy—was in charge of the process and the release of these files. While the department has reviewed more than 6 million pages, it has been accused of withholding documents related to President Trump, who once described himself as Epstein’s “closest friend.” Blanche defended the department’s record, acknowledging that some information was improperly disclosed but stating that errors were corrected upon notification.

Scrutiny of the “Anti-Weaponization” Fund

Beyond the Epstein files, Blanche faced intense questioning regarding his role in a $1.776 billion settlement between the Department of Justice and the Trump family. The settlement, which aimed to end a lawsuit over leaked tax returns, included an “anti-weaponization” fund that critics alleged could be used to benefit supporters who attacked the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

A federal judge recently criticized the settlement, describing it as an attempt to use the court to “earmark billions of dollars from American taxpayers to redress grievances not defined in the law.” While Blanche maintained that he did not negotiate the deal directly, he confirmed that the settlement remains an enforceable contract.

To address concerns regarding the fund, Tillis suggested that Congress should codify the end of the anti-weaponization fund into law—a proposal Blanche indicated the DOJ could support.

Independence and Professional History

Blanche’s confirmation has also been challenged by his former role as President Trump’s personal defense attorney in multiple criminal cases, including the federal classified documents and election obstruction proceedings. Democratic senators, including Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.), questioned whether Blanche’s past relationship with the president compromises his ability to lead the DOJ independently.

Blanche defended his tenure as acting attorney general, citing efforts to combat violent crime, fraud, and drug cartels. Additionally, an open letter signed by approximately 1,200 former DOJ employees has called on the Senate to reject his nomination.

As the committee weighs its next steps, the nomination remains stalled. If the seat vacated by the late Sen. Graham is not filled before the panel vote, Tillis’s demand effectively ensures that the meeting with survivors must take place for the nomination to advance.

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