government
Republican senator says Blanche must meet Epstein's accusers to earn his vote for attorney general
By Alanna Durkin Richer, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 16, 2026
· 2 min read
A Republican senator whose vote Todd Blanche needs to advance his nomination as attorney general suggested Thursday that his support hinges on Blanche first meeting with Jeffrey Epstein's accusers.Sen. Thom Tillis' comments came a day after Blanche was pressed during his confirmation hearing over...
Key takeaway Thom Tillis' comments came a day after Blanche was pressed during his confirmation hearing over the Justice Department's handling of millions of files related to Epstein's sex trafficking investigation.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
In San Antonio , where community trust in law enforcement is crucial, the developments in Todd Blanche's nomination process for attorney general are being closely watched. The local implications of Blanche's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case files and his willingness to meet with accusers are significant, as they reflect on the Department of Justice's commitment to transparency and accountability. San Antonio residents who have followed the Epstein case are likely to be interested in how Blanche's actions will impact the city's own efforts to address sex trafficking and support victims. The fact that Blanche has expressed a willingness to meet with Epstein's accusers, but has yet to do so, may raise questions among local advocates about his dedication to prioritizing victims' voices. As the nomination process unfolds, San Antonio observers will be looking for concrete evidence of Blanche's commitment to addressing the concerns of Epstein's accusers and the broader community.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio 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 KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: July 16, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A Republican senator whose vote Todd Blanche needs to advance his nomination as attorney general suggested Thursday that his support hinges on Blanche first meeting with Jeffrey Epstein's accusers.Sen. Thom Tillis' comments came a day after Blanche was pressed during his confirmation hearing over...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 16, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Alanna Durkin Richer, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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