government
'Forced to be with us': Blanche meets with Epstein survivors but women say he showed no sympathy
By Alexandra Miller at KXXV (ABC 25) News
· July 16, 2026
· 2 min read
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche met with survivors of Jeffrey Epstein on Thursday following pressure from Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), who said he would not vote for Blanche's confirmation as attorney general until he had met with the women.One survivor who was in the room told Scripps News the ...
Key takeaway Thom Tillis (R-NC), who said he would not vote for Blanche's confirmation as attorney general until he had met with the women.
Why this matters in The Waco
The fallout from the Epstein files' mishandling has significant implications for Waco 's own community of survivors of abuse and exploitation. As the Senate Judiciary Committee considers Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche's confirmation, local advocates are watching closely to see how he will be held accountable for the DOJ's mistakes. The fact that hundreds of victims' names were exposed, including Dani Bensky's, raises concerns about the DOJ's ability to protect vulnerable individuals in McLennan County and beyond. Furthermore, Blanche's claim that there are no remaining investigative leads is disputed by survivors like Bensky, who argue that their stories and experiences are essential to ongoing investigations. As the confirmation process unfolds, Waco residents will be looking for assurances that the DOJ is committed to transparency, accountability, and justice for all survivors, regardless of their location or background.
About this story
Original reporting by KXXV (ABC 25) News . The Waco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KXXV (ABC 25) News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: July 16, 2026 ·
Source: KXXV (ABC 25) News ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche met with survivors of Jeffrey Epstein on Thursday following pressure from Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), who said he would not vote for Blanche's confirmation as attorney general until he had met with the women.One survivor who was in the room told Scripps News the ...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 16, 2026 by KXXV (ABC 25) News and curated for The Waco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Alexandra Miller at KXXV (ABC 25) News. To learn more about how The Waco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from The Waco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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