Epstein victims criticize Todd Blanche after meeting, calling it a ‘check-the-box’ effort amid DOJ attorney general confirmation

Todd Blanche, President Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general, met with Epstein victims who are seeking greater accountability from the Department of Justice, according to a report Friday from CNBC Politics. Epstein survivor Dani Bensky described the meeting as ineffective, saying Blanche treated the exchange as a routine step in the confirmation process rather than a substantive effort to address the survivors’ concerns.

Bensky, an Epstein survivor, said she told Blanche about her views and experiences related to the case, and she criticized the way the meeting was conducted. In the CNBC report, she characterized the interaction as a “check-the-box” exercise aimed at securing votes for confirmation, rather than engaging with the substance of what survivors want from the Justice Department.

The report places the meeting in the broader context of Blanche’s candidacy to lead the DOJ, a role that includes oversight of federal criminal prosecutions, DOJ investigative practices, and the department’s handling of complex public-safety and civil-rights matters. As attorney general, Blanche would also set priorities across DOJ components, including the U.S. Attorneys’ offices that bring cases on behalf of the federal government.

CNBC reported that Bensky’s remarks reflect the survivors’ scrutiny of DOJ leadership and the attorney general nomination process. Survivors have long argued that law-enforcement accountability and institutional reforms are necessary after cases involving Jeffrey Epstein, and the meeting with a prospective attorney general nominee became another focal point for that dispute.

The report does not describe new enforcement actions or policy announcements by Blanche as a result of the meeting. It also does not indicate that Blanche agreed to specific changes, released timelines, or committed to particular initiatives during the meeting, at least as reflected in the CNBC account.

In the weeks ahead, Blanche’s nomination would continue moving through the normal confirmation process in the Senate, where senators can ask questions and hold hearings. For victims and other stakeholders, the meeting underscores continued demands for DOJ leadership to address how the justice system responds to allegations and ensures due process and accountability.

CNBC’s report is based on statements by Epstein survivor Dani Bensky following the meeting, and it reflects the survivors’ characterization of the interaction rather than an official description of the meeting from Blanche or the Trump administration.