Todd Blanche faces confirmation hearing scrutiny over Epstein case handling

Todd Blanche appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday for a hearing to confirm him as permanent attorney general. He has held the role in a temporary capacity since April.

Senators questioned Blanche about how the Justice Department handled files related to Jeffrey Epstein. The department released those files after the president signed a transparency law. However, survivors of Epstein's crimes have spoken out against Blanche's confirmation. They say the released documents exposed their personal details, while the names of people accused of abuse were hidden.

Democratic senators had asked Blanche to meet with survivors before the hearing. He had previously said he would meet them if they got in touch. A court also refused to speed up the release of records about his work on the Epstein case.