Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) said he will not support the confirmation of Todd Blanche as Attorney General unless the nominee meets with survivors of Jeffrey Epstein's abuse.
This stance creates a potential hurdle for the nomination process, as Tillis leverages his vote to ensure survivors of sex-trafficking are heard by the prospective top law enforcement official.
Speaking during an appearance on MSNBC’s "Morning Joe" on Thursday, July 16, Tillis responded to critics who suggested he had previously changed his position on the confirmation. He said he rejected the idea that he had compromised his standards for the sake of party unity.
"I have not ‘caved’ on this vote; I’m standing by my principles," Tillis said [3].
The senator's comments come amid a high-stakes confirmation battle. Tillis targeted those criticizing his timing or consistency, and said, "Spare me the righteous indignation" [1].
Tillis said that the meeting with survivors is a non-negotiable requirement for his support. "I will not support Todd Blanche unless he meets with the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein," Tillis said [2].
The senator is currently navigating the final year of his term, which ends in January 2027 [1]. He is also preparing for the release of a new book scheduled for October 2026 [1].
While some reports suggested Tillis was moving toward a permanent vote for Blanche, his recent statements emphasize a conditional approach based on the nominee's willingness to engage with victims of the Epstein case.
“"I will not support Todd Blanche unless he meets with the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein."”
The demand by a sitting Republican senator for the Attorney General nominee to meet with specific victims indicates that the confirmation process may face internal party friction. By tying his vote to the Epstein survivors, Tillis is positioning himself as a defender of victims' rights, which may serve as a strategic political signal as he approaches the end of his Senate term in early 2027.
