Senator Tillis Links AG Nominee Blanche's Vote to Epstein Accuser Meetings

Senator Thom Tillis, whose vote is crucial for Todd Blanche's nomination as attorney general, indicated on Thursday that his support is contingent upon Blanche meeting with accusers of Jeffrey Epstein. Tillis, a Republican senator, expressed a "positive predisposition" toward Blanche but has not yet made a final decision regarding his vote.

Tillis' comments followed Blanche's confirmation hearing on Wednesday, where he faced questions about the Justice Department's handling of files related to Epstein's sex trafficking investigation. Blanche had stated during the hearing his willingness to meet with Epstein's accusers. Tillis expects such a meeting to take place before he will "vote out of this committee."

Shortly after Tillis' remarks, Blanche was seen arriving at a Senate office building and told reporters that while he had hoped to meet with the accusers, "it didn't work out" and efforts were underway to reschedule. Blanche affirmed the Department of Justice's commitment to meeting with victims or their representatives and investigating any evidence of criminal activity.

One Epstein accuser, Dani Bensky, testified earlier on Thursday, stating that women harmed by Epstein had repeatedly sought to meet with Blanche "through multiple channels and he never responded." Bensky emphasized that "We deserve to be heard directly, not dismissed and ignored." Blanche has previously defended the Justice Department's actions, stating that officials have engaged with over 30 representatives of the women during a review of the Epstein files and defended the department's staggered release of these documents, which has encountered issues such as redaction errors.