Survivors of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's network are mobilizing against acting Attorney General Todd Blanche's confirmation, urging the Senate to reject his nomination ahead of key hearings this week. In a coordinated push Monday, advocacy group World Without Exploitation released a video compilation featuring victims and family members calling on lawmakers to block Blanche from leading the Justice Department permanently.
Blanche is set to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday and Thursday for his confirmation hearings. The opposition centers on the Department of Justice's handling of Epstein-related documents, which critics say prioritized protecting powerful names over shielding victims.
DOJ's Epstein File Release Sparks Outcry
Under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, Congress mandated the DOJ to publish all records from its investigation into Epstein's sex trafficking ring. The department released its final batch of documents in January, adding 3 million files to a public database. But the rollout was marred by delays and complaints about redaction choices.
World Without Exploitation, an anti-trafficking organization, detailed the fallout in its social media campaign. "Under Blanche's leadership at the Department of Justice, Epstein survivors' personal information—including their names, phone numbers, and home addresses—was exposed, while the names of many alleged abusers and other powerful individuals connected to Epstein remained redacted," the group wrote in an Instagram post. "The disclosure revictimized the very people the justice system was supposed to protect and put their safety at risk."
Victims' Families Speak Out
The video features Virginia Giuffre's family. Giuffre, one of Epstein's most prominent accusers, died by suicide last year. Her brother Sky Roberts and sister-in-law Amanda Roberts held up a photo of Giuffre as they spoke. "Our family's safety was put at risk," Amanda Roberts said, referencing the document release.
The organization also pointed to millions of unreleased DOJ files tied to Epstein's operations, alleging the government has failed to pursue complicit individuals. "Stand with survivors," the group wrote. "Tell the Senate to vote NO on Todd Blanche for AG."
Blanche has tried to distance himself from the controversy. In a Fox News interview last month, he told host Jesse Watters that the Epstein files "should not be a part of anything going forward." He defended the DOJ's compliance with the transparency act, saying, "The Department of Justice has now released all the files with respect to the Epstein saga." Blanche and former Attorney General Pam Bondi previously briefed the House Oversight Committee on the investigation.
This push comes as former DOJ staff also urge the Senate to reject Blanche, adding institutional weight to survivors' demands. Meanwhile, the DOJ has refused to release additional Epstein records, citing legal exemptions, fueling further criticism.
Blanche's confirmation hearings are expected to be contentious, with survivors and their advocates vowing to keep pressure on senators. The outcome could shape the DOJ's approach to high-profile cases and victim protections for years to come.
