Todd Blanche meets with Epstein survivors after senator's confirmation demand

Todd Blanche, the acting US Attorney General, met with survivors of Jeffrey Epstein's crimes on July 16 at the Justice Department in Washington. The meeting lasted about one hour. After it ended, Blanche told reporters he had encouraged the survivors to share information with the FBI.

The meeting happened because Republican Senator Thom Tillis put pressure on Blanche. Tillis said he would not support Blanche's nomination for permanent attorney general unless Blanche agreed to meet the survivors and their lawyers.

Earlier that day, survivor Dani Bensky spoke to the Senate Judiciary Committee. She described how the Justice Department had accidentally released documents containing survivors' personal information. The committee is due to vote on Blanche's nomination in two weeks. Tillis said he appreciated Blanche's willingness to meet.