Dani Bensky, who survived abuse by convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, voiced deep disappointment Tuesday over Sen. John Cornyn's (R-Texas) decision to support advancing Todd Blanche's nomination for attorney general. Speaking with The Hill's Mychael Schnell, Bensky said she had held out hope that Cornyn, a longtime advocate for prosecuting sex traffickers, would oppose Blanche.
"There's always a glimmer of hope that somebody will do the right thing," Bensky said. "And I was really hoping that it would be John Cornyn, to be honest, because he has been such a great advocate and proponent for putting those who have abused and [organized] sex trafficking rings away." She added, "To see that this is how he's going to end his career and his legacy, it's really depressing."
Cornyn's vote came during a Senate Judiciary Committee meeting where all 11 Republicans, including Cornyn and Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), advanced Blanche's nomination to the full Senate. The two Republicans had previously withheld support, demanding that the Department of Justice (DOJ) rescind a controversial $1.776 billion fund created as part of a settlement in President Trump's lawsuit against the IRS. Acting Attorney General James McHenry formally rescinded the fund on Sunday, clearing the way for the committee vote.
Cornyn explained his vote by pointing to the written commitment from the DOJ, saying it addressed the concerns he and Tillis had raised. However, the settlement's other provisions remain intact, including broad immunity for Trump, his children, and his businesses from future IRS investigations. Cornyn had earlier noted that Trump did not sign off on the memo rescinding the fund, leaving open the possibility that Trump could sue to revive it.
Bensky's criticism extends beyond the procedural vote. She and other Epstein survivors have blasted Blanche and former Attorney General Pam Bondi for their handling of the release of Epstein-related files. The DOJ has faced backlash for delays in releasing documents required by federal law, for heavy redactions, and for publicizing photos and personal information of victims.
"The DOJ committed its own crime during the release of the Epstein files," Bensky said. "Nude photos were released. All of our information was out there exposed, and there's just no accountability for that."
Blanche met with a group of Epstein victims last month, but the session was widely seen as unproductive. Jess Michaels, another survivor, told The Hill's Alex Witt that the meeting was frustrating. "We were giving him information that he could have talked with us about, but we were gaslit, we were skipped over. It was frustrating, to say the least," Michaels said.
The controversy over Blanche's nomination is part of a broader pattern of concern among Epstein survivors and their advocates. They argue that the DOJ under Blanche's leadership has failed to prioritize transparency and victim protection. The advancement of Blanche's nomination has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats, who see loopholes in the fund rescission, and from victims' advocates who question his commitment to justice.
Cornyn's vote also comes amid wider political maneuvering, with the Texas senator balancing pressure from GOP leadership and conservative constituents. Some Republicans have raised concerns about Blanche's past legal work, but Cornyn's support may be pivotal in securing confirmation. However, the path remains uncertain, with some GOP senators still skeptical.
For Bensky, the vote is a personal betrayal. She had hoped Cornyn would stand with victims, especially given his record on sex trafficking legislation. "I just don't understand how he can look at himself in the mirror," she said. The full Senate is expected to vote on Blanche's nomination in the coming days, but the controversy shows no signs of abating.
