Todd Blanche apologizes for mistakes in Epstein file
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche apologized for the error in Epstein’s filing and took a hard look at the mistake made during his confirmation hearing.
Vice President J.D. Vance recently admitted that the Trump administration “completely screwed up” communications surrounding the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files, and acknowledged that the release stoked public distrust. But officials insisted they were not trying to hide information.
Vance made the remarks on “The Joe Rogan Experience” on Wednesday, July 15, when he was pressed about criticism of how the Trump administration handled the long-awaited release of records related to Epstein, the disgraced financier who committed suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges.
“I say this frankly as if we’ve completely messed up the communications of the Epstein file,” Vance said. “But do you think we messed up communications because we were trying to hide something? No.”
The vice president said the administration’s biggest mistake was creating expectations it could not meet, leaving many Americans wondering if important records were being suppressed. He defended President Donald Trump against accusations that his administration was trying to obstruct transparency, insisting there was no deliberate effort to hide information.
Vance claims Bondi overstated what was available
In the interview, Vance pointed to comments from then-Attorney General Pam Bondi earlier this year that suggested additional Epstein material would be released before participating in developments such as distributing a binder she dubbed “The Epstein File: Phase 1” to conservative social media influencers.
“I think Pam was trying to respond to a political moment,” Vance said. “I think she was exaggerating what we have and what we don’t have.”
Mr. Vance said he did not believe Mr. Bondi acted with malicious intent, but acknowledged that the message was counterproductive.
“We don’t know what the purpose was, but we do know that the effect was to make people distrust the whole effort,” he said.
Asked what he would have done differently, Vance said the government should have reviewed records, redacted the victim’s personal information and released documents as soon as possible.
“I think we should have thrown everything away from the beginning,” he said.
Vance defends Trump
Vance also denied claims that Trump tried to block the release of the records or that the files contained credible evidence of wrongdoing by the president.
“If people want to say they mishandled Epstein’s release, they’re guilty,” Vance said. “We mishandled it, especially with communications.”
The Justice Department said it collected about 6 million pages during the Epstein investigation but plans to release only about half of those records. Officials said many of the remaining documents are copies, unrelated to Epstein or protected by legal privilege. Meanwhile, other information is hidden or redacted to protect the victim’s identity and personal information.
Publication of Epstein files sparked criticism over victims’ privacy
The Justice Department’s handling of the Epstein file has come under fire from lawmakers and victim advocates, not only for its transparency but also for its mistakes in revealing the identities of victims.
At a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing this week, Epstein victim Dani Bensky testified that her name, phone number, former address and workplace were listed in several files released, despite repeated requests from her lawyers to protect her identity.
“These documents contain a disturbing but incomplete account of my abuse,” Bensky told senators. “They could be seen not just by the whole world, but by my children, my students, my friends, my employers, my colleagues, my family. It was humiliating.”
Attorney General nominee Todd Blanche apologized during his confirmation hearing for what he said was an error that affected about 1% of the documents released. Mr. Bensky disputed this characterization, telling lawmakers that the identities of some survivors were still being made public and claiming that “hundreds of victims have been exposed.”
The controversy also complicated Blanche’s confirmation. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina) has said he will not support Blanche’s nomination until he meets with women who say they were abused by Epstein, and Republicans currently hold a one-seat majority on the Senate Judiciary Committee, potentially delaying a vote on the committee.
Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@usatodayco.com or X @athompsonUSAT.
