Todd Blanche says the Justice Department complied with the Epstein files law
Todd BlancheActing U.S. attorney general seeking Senate confirmation, as quoted by Spectrum News
Blanche says about 1 percent of redactions had to be fixed after the Epstein files were released and that the department had dozens of lawyers on call around the clock, and says the administration has been more transparent about Epstein than any past administration and complied with the law.
Responding to
The Justice Department complied with the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
“This administration, when it comes to Jeffrey Epstein, has been more transparent than any past administration, than Biden was or anybody else and what we did is we complied with the law.”
Reporting
Where this statement fits
Massie says a second Epstein files bill will get the 218 signatures needed to force a House vote; the Justice Department says it complied with the first law
Rep. Thomas Massie says a discharge petition for the Epstein Files Transparency Act II, which would let states, survivors and members of Congress sue the Justice Department over withheld Epstein records, will reach 218 signatures when the House returns. The House clerk lists 216. The department says it complied with the 2025 law.
Source and context
Reporting
About this source
Spectrum News reports the introduction of the Epstein Files Transparency Act II and quotes Massie on why members of Congress need standing to sue. It quotes Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche's defense of the department's compliance on Wednesday, July 15, and a statement White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson gave Spectrum News on Thursday.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
Spectrum News reports that Blanche defended the department's compliance with the law but acknowledged some mistakes. He says approximately 1% of the redactions had to be fixed after the department released the files and that it had dozens of lawyers on call.
After the quotation
Spectrum News reports the remarks in its story on the Epstein Files Transparency Act II, which Massie says would give members of Congress standing to challenge the attorney general in court.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The reference point is the Justice Department's handling of the Epstein files under the 2025 Epstein Files Transparency Act, which the Epstein Files Transparency Act II would let states, victims and members of Congress challenge in court. Blanche acknowledges that some redactions had to be fixed but says the department complied with the law and has been more transparent than past administrations, which defends its handling of the files.
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More from this case
Read the full caseThomas Massie says the second bill would let members take the Justice Department to court for keeping files hidden
“Survivors will be able to get their own records, State Attorneys General can prosecute crimes, and we can take the DOJ to court for keeping critical files hidden.”Read statement
Letitia James says the federal administration has failed to release Epstein records as the law requires
“Congress passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act to ensure accountability and transparency, but the federal administration has failed to release records as the law requires.”Read statement
White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson says Trump has done more for Epstein's victims than anyone before him
“by releasing thousands of pages of documents, cooperating with the House Oversight Committee's subpoena request, signing the Epstein Files Transparency Act, and calling for more investigations into Epstein's Democrat friends, President Trump has done more for Epstein's victims than anyone before him.”Read statement
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The Dispute Index. "Todd Blanche says the Justice Department complied with the Epstein files law". First published: 2026-11-08. Last updated: 2026-11-08. https://disputeindex.com/events/8378-blanche-says-about-1-percent-of-redactions-had