What You Need to Know Since Blanche Refused to Hand Over Documents

Epstein loomed large at both Blanche and Clayton’s contentious confirmation hearings

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On the eve of Todd Blanche and Jay Clayton’s confirmation hearings, Rep. Jayapal and Sen. Booker introduced the Redact Act, which would allow victims whose personal information was released to seek compensation and hold DOJ officials accountable. The following day, Clayton, nominated to become the next Director of National Intelligence, faced questions about his time leading the Epstein investigation as US Attorney for the Southern District of New York. Senators pressed him over the bungled release of grand jury material that exposed the personal information of Epstein’s victims. Elsewhere on the Hill, Acting AG Blanche was grilled on his pivotal role in the administration’s cover-up, including his oversight of the DOJ’s file release. Blanche was eventually strong-armed into meeting with survivors after Sen. Tillis said he would withhold the critical vote needed to secure his nomination unless he took their meeting (a meeting that victims later described as “demoralizing”). Pressure on Blanche and the DOJ continued to mount after Reps. Massie and Khanna introduced the Epstein Files Transparency Act II on Wednesday, aimed at giving government officials and survivors the right to challenge the DOJ in court for failing to comply with the original law.

Here’s what else you need to know:

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Leading Stories from The Cover-Up

• Blanche clears path to nomination after performative meeting with Epstein survivors

  Below the Beltway’s Camaron Stevenson breaks down Blanche’s role in the DOJ’s cover-up and why survivors were left disappointed and angry after their meeting. Share on Substack, Facebook, Twitter, Bluesky & Threads.

• Todd Blanche grilled on Epstein Files in brutal hearing

  Mason of OneHandPolitics covers Blanche’s Senate confirmation hearing, where he faced bipartisan scrutiny over his handling of Epstein files and his time as Trump’s personal lawyer. Share now on YouTube and TikTok.

• Kathy Ruemmler and ‘Your Boy George’

  American Freakshow’s Nina Burliegh and Katie Chenoweth delve into the evidence that Jeffrey Epstein’s network closely tracked the Mueller investigation into foreign election interference. Share now on Substack, Twitter, & Facebook.

• Epstein’s Used Thousands Of NDAs. Congress Is Exposing Them

  National Correspondent Camaron Stevenson reports on how Epstein financier Leon Black weaponized NDAs against his victims. Watch now on YouTube.

• Epstein Survivors Release Damning Video Against Todd Blanche

  Mason of OneHandPolitics covers the powerful video Epstein survivors released ahead of Todd Blanche’s Senate confirmation hearing. Watch now on Youtube & TikTok.

• What Happens in Russia…

  American Freakshow’s Nina Burleigh and Katie Chenoweth examine records suggesting that Leon Black was poised to bankroll Trump Tower Moscow. Read now on Substack, Twitter, Bluesky & Facebook.

• NC sex trafficking survivors urge Tillis to oppose Todd Blanche for attorney general

  Cardinal & Pine’s Dylan Rhoney reports on the North Carolina sex trafficking survivors urging their Senator to block Blanche’s nomination. Share now on Facebook and Instagram.

• Is Trump’s DOJ Obstructing an Investigation into Epstein’s New Mexico Ranch? Courier New Mexico’s Ben Montoya details NM AG Raúl Torrez’s accusation that Blanche’s DOJ is stonewalling the state’s investigation into Zorro Ranch. Share now on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.

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Headlines to Know

• ‘We couldn’t let her story end there’: Virginia Roberts Giuffre’s brother on the year since her shocking death – and why he’s still fighting in her name The Guardian, Emine Saner, 07/19/26

• Vance’s Remarks on Epstein and Israel Echo Conspiracy Theories The New York Times, Tim Balk and Lisa Lerer, 07/18/26

• Leon Black walked out of an Epstein House committee interview. Here’s what we know PBS, Maria Ramirez Uribe, 07/17/26

• Alan Dershowitz cancels on House Oversight ahead of planned Epstein interview Politico, Chris Marquette, 07/17/26

• Control, threats, disfiguring surgery: My life inside Jeffrey Epstein’s ‘cult’ BBC, Chi Chi Izundu, Olivia Davies, and Will Dahlgreen, 07/17/26

• Democrats’ witness opposing Blanche’s confirmation is more than an Epstein survivor NPR, Ava Berger, 07/15/26

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