Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche just put the world on notice: the Justice Department isn’t done with Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes.
“There are no closed investigations,” Blanche told senators Wednesday. “If we learn today, if we learn next week, if we learn next month that there’s an individual that we can investigate, indict and prosecute out of the Epstein files, you better believe it, we will.”
“If we learn today, if we learn next week, if we learn next month that there’s an individual that we can investigate, indict and prosecute out of the Epstein files, you better believe it, we will.”
The promise came during Blanche’s Senate confirmation hearing July 15, as scrutiny of the Trump administration’s handling of the Epstein files continues to mount.
The DOJ and FBI concluded a review in July 2025 that found no evidence of a so-called “client list” belonging to Epstein and no basis for further public disclosures. The findings sparked renewed calls — including from some of President Trump’s supporters — for the full release of the remaining Epstein files.
Blanche drew a sharp distinction between the department’s completed review of existing files and its authority to pursue new criminal cases. While prosecutions of Epstein, who allegedly took his own life in federal custody in 2019, and his longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell have concluded, the DOJ remains willing to investigate and prosecute any additional individuals if credible evidence emerges.
He also rejected suggestions that the department has neglected Epstein’s victims. DOJ officials have met with representatives of more than 30 victims since the review began and would continue speaking with anyone who comes forward, Blanche said.
“We will never not talk to victims,” Blanche said. “We will never not do everything we can to prosecute anybody that committed any crimes against any of these women.”
He encouraged any victims or their attorneys with additional information to contact the FBI, reiterating that the department would “100%” investigate any new evidence that could support criminal charges.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., pressed Blanche to apologize directly to Epstein’s victims for the Justice Department’s handling of the file release after roughly 1% of released documents required corrected redactions.
“Any mistake that we made should not have been made,” Blanche said. “Yes, I am sorry that in about 1% of the documents mistakes were made.”
He added that DOJ immediately pulled affected documents, corrected the errors and dedicated around-the-clock attorneys to issue redactions.
Blumenthal also urged Blanche to personally meet with Epstein survivors. Blanche responded that he had “never said I can’t meet with them,” adding that if victims are represented by counsel, meetings would be coordinated through their attorneys.
“Of course, I can meet with them,” Blanche said. “I’m the acting attorney general of the United States.”
Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., asked Blanche whether additional people identified in the Epstein files could face charges. Blanche said prosecutors reviewing the evidence had not identified evidence that other men participated in Epstein’s trafficking operation, while stressing that “that does not mean it didn’t happen.”
“If there’s anybody out there, victim or otherwise, that has information, I beg them to come forward.”
Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., questioned Blanche about his interview with Ghislaine Maxwell in July 2025, asking whether it had led to any additional criminal charges. Blanche replied that it had not.
Blanche declined to say whether the interview led to any new investigations, saying the Justice Department does not comment on the existence of investigations.
Booker further pressed Blanche about his interview with Maxwell, asking whether he or anyone else at DOJ had discussed the possibility of a presidential pardon, clemency or Maxwell’s later transfer to a minimum-security prison camp. Blanche denied that any of those topics were discussed with Maxwell or her attorneys.
The charges remain allegations. The case has not been proven in court.
