Jess Michaels, a survivor of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, said Friday that her meeting this week with acting Attorney General Todd Blanche left her feeling “disappointed, disturbed and undaunted.” The session, which Blanche agreed to only after pressure from Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina, was aimed at addressing survivors’ concerns about the Justice Department’s handling of the Epstein case.
Blanche’s confirmation to become the top U.S. law enforcement official hangs in the balance, as Tillis holds a key vote and had conditioned his support on Blanche meeting with survivors. But Michaels told MS NOW’s Nicolle Wallace that the encounter fell short: “The way we were treated yesterday was no different than any other time. We were hoping it would be something different, and it was not.”
The survivors are demanding that Blanche and the Justice Department continue investigating Epstein’s network and release more documents. The department has already made millions of files public under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, passed last fall, but Blanche declared in February that the review was “over.” Victims have also criticized the rollout, accusing the DOJ of failing to protect their privacy during redactions.
“I can’t even tell you how many times and how many different ways it was explained to Todd Blanche in that meeting the harm that was caused, and it was not acknowledged,” Michaels said Friday. She described Blanche’s demeanor as “patronizing,” adding, “It felt very much like the attempt to appear empathetic, and it came off as condescending and patronizing. It did not come off as I am now applying to be the attorney general of the United States.”
Michaels directly appealed to Tillis, urging him not to confirm Blanche until he works constructively with survivors. “Senator Tillis, that was not a meeting, and I am going to guess that you care about this issue very much … so I can only imagine that you are just as disappointed as we are because I’m sure you asked for that meeting because you want facts too,” she said. “So please do not confirm that man to be attorney general of this country until we actually get to a place that is genuinely productive.”
The meeting comes amid broader scrutiny of Blanche’s nomination. Tillis had previously conditioned his vote on Blanche meeting with Epstein victims, reflecting the political pressure surrounding the case. Separately, Senator Cory Booker blasted Blanche over the transfer of Ghislaine Maxwell, calling it “profoundly offensive.” Blanche also faces opposition from the New York City Bar Association, which declared him “unfit” for the role, and from Democrats like Schumer and Durbin, who have rallied with survivors against his bid.
Michaels’ critique underscores the deep distrust survivors hold toward the Justice Department’s Epstein investigation. With Blanche’s confirmation uncertain, Tillis’ vote remains a pivotal flashpoint in the broader battle over accountability for Epstein’s crimes.
