Washington, D.C. – Today, American Oversight filed suit against the Department of Justice (DOJ) seeking expedited processing of Freedom of Information Act requests for records concerning Attorney General nominee Todd Blanche’s involvement in two matters that have generated significant public scrutiny: the Trump administration’s review and release of records related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and DOJ’s attempt to bury a report produced by former Special Counsel Jack Smith. The lawsuit comes as the Senate Judiciary Committee prepares to consider Blanche’s nomination to serve as the nation’s top law enforcement officer.

The records sought by American Oversight could help illuminate to what extent Blanche — who served as President Trump’s personal criminal defense attorney before becoming deputy attorney general and then acting attorney general — has abandoned independent judgment in matters directly implicating his former client and political patron.

“Before the Senate decides whether to confirm Todd Blanche as attorney general, senators and the American people alike deserve a clear-eyed understanding of how he has used the extraordinary power entrusted to him at the Justice Department,” said Chioma Chukwu, Executive Director of American Oversight. “Blanche’s nomination raises serious questions about whether someone who served as President Trump’s personal criminal defense attorney can independently lead the Justice Department. The records we are seeking could help answer those questions, including about his role in matters involving Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, and the handling of Special Counsel Smith’s investigations  — issues that go directly to public confidence in the integrity and independence of the Justice Department. Senators should not be asked to cast a vote on a nomination of this magnitude without access to the fullest record possible.”

Prior to joining the Justice Department, Blanche served as President Trump’s lead defense attorney in multiple criminal cases, including the federal prosecutions brought by Special Counsel Smith and the New York criminal case that resulted in Trump’s conviction on 34 felony counts.

As deputy attorney general, Blanche reportedly played a central role in the department’s review of records related to Jeffrey Epstein and his associates, including personally interviewing convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell. His involvement has drawn scrutiny given that President Trump’s name reportedly appears thousands of times in the Epstein files and because questions have arisen about whether Blanche’s prior representation of Trump could affect his impartiality in matters involving the president.

Blanche has also faced questions about his role in matters connected to former Special Counsel Smith’s investigations. According to public reports, Blanche has boasted about helping “clean house” at the DOJ and FBI following Trump’s return to office, including the removal of personnel involved in Smith’s investigations. During his 2025 confirmation process for deputy attorney general, Blanche also testified that he would not support releasing the full second volume of Smither’s report concerning Trump’s handling of classified records. Shortly before Blanche’s confirmation, DOJ aligned itself with Trump’s motion to block public release of the report.

American Oversight’s requests seek communications, emails, calendar invitations, text messages, and messages sent through encrypted or third-party platforms concerning Blanche’s involvement in the Epstein files review, including discussions involving redactions, President Trump, Ghislaine Maxwell, and Maxwell’s transfer within the federal prison system. The requests also seek records concerning Blanche’s involvement in matters related to Special Counsel Smith’s investigations and reports, including communications regarding the classified documents investigation and decisions concerning the release of portions of Smith’s final report.

The lawsuit argues that the public interest in these records is especially urgent because Blanche’s confirmation hearing is scheduled for July 15 and 16, and senators will soon be asked to determine whether he is fit to lead the DOJ.

American Oversight has previously raised concerns about Blanche’s ability to independently oversee matters involving records related to President Trump. Earlier this year, the nonpartisan watchdog called on Blanche to step aside from any role reviewing or overseeing the release of presidential records from Trump’s first term under the Presidential Records Act, citing his prior role as Trump’s personal criminal defense attorney and his acknowledged continuing duty of loyalty to the president.

This is not the first time during President Trump’s second term that a nominee for attorney general has raised serious questions warranting public scrutiny. In November 2024, American Oversight sought records related to then-nominee Matt Gaetz amid allegations of sexual and other misconduct that had drawn significant public attention. Gaetz ultimately withdrew his nomination.

American Oversight is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) nonprofit ethics watchdog that uses public records requests backed by litigation to expose official misconduct, threats to democracy, and abuses of power at all levels of government. Documents obtained by American Oversight have supported investigative work by journalists, congressional committees, and independent watchdogs, and have been featured in hundreds of news reports across the country. Follow us at @weareoversight and learn more at americanoversight.org.