GOP Senator Tillis won't back Todd Blanche as Attorney General unless he meets Epstein victims

Topline

Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., announced Thursday he will not vote to advance Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche's nomination unless Blanche meets with victims of Jeffrey Epstein. This comes after Blanche claimed during his confirmation hearing Wednesday that he would meet with Epstein victims "today" if he could—yet one of those victims testified Thursday that Blanche has never made an effort to reach out.

Key Facts

• Tillis stated at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing that he has "not made a final decision" on whether to vote for Blanche's confirmation. He said he "expect[s] that meeting to occur before I'm willing to vote [Blanche] out of this committee," referring to a meeting between Blanche and Epstein victims.
• Blanche's nomination as attorney general must first be approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee before advancing to the full Republican-controlled Senate for a vote.
• Epstein victims have long protested that they have been unable to meet with the Justice Department regarding Epstein and the Epstein files, which victims say included some of their personal information.
• During his confirmation hearing Wednesday, Blanche testified he was willing to meet with victims and their counsel—a reversal after previously claiming during the same hearing that he was legally not allowed to meet with the victims directly.
• Epstein victim Dani Bensky sharply criticized Blanche before the committee Thursday, stating 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, 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 hold only a one-seat majority on the committee following the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., over the weekend, making Tillis' vote crucial to advancing the nomination.

Will Any Other Republican Senators Vote Against Blanche?

In addition to Tillis, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, has also expressed reservations about Blanche. Cornyn, who also sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee, told reporters Wednesday he remains undecided about approving Blanche after questioning the acting AG during his confirmation hearing. Cornyn said 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)