Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) said Thursday that he will not support Todd Blanche for attorney general unless President Donald Trump’s nominee first meets with women who say the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein abused them as minors.Tillis announced his position during the second day of the acting attorney general’s confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, saying the meeting must occur before he is prepared to advance the nomination.“I have not made a final decision,” Tillis said of whether he will vote to advance Blanche to lead the Justice Department. “Todd Blanche said he’d meet with the Epstein survivors if it could be arranged. I expect that meeting to occur before I’m willing to vote him out of committee. There should be no reason why he wouldn’t.”
Blanche’s nomination faces an unusually narrow path through the committee. Following the July 11 death of Republican South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, Republicans hold an 11-10 advantage. With Democrats expected to oppose Blanche unanimously, a single Republican defection could prevent the nomination from reaching the Senate floor.If Democrats remain united, Tillis’s pledge effectively stalls the nomination until Blanche meets with the survivors.“I’m trying to get to yes, but this is a very important part of getting to yes,” Tillis said.Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), another pivotal Republican on the committee, has also withheld a final commitment on Blanche’s nomination. Cornyn appeared more receptive to supporting Blanche during Wednesday’s hearing, but did not say how he planned to vote.Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) speaks during a hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee with acting Attorney General Todd Blanche on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (Mark Schiefelbein/AP Photo)
