Melania Trump’s Call for Epstein Hearings Sparks Pressure on the DOJ and Todd Blanche

First Lady Melania Trump’s recent call for additional public hearings for Jeffrey Epstein’s victims has intensified scrutiny on the Department of Justice and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, as lawmakers and alleged victims continue to push for further action on the case, as reported by Fox News.

The first lady urged Congress to provide a platform for Epstein’s “survivors” to share their stories, but her remarks were met with immediate responses from members of Congress who argued that responsibility lies with federal prosecutors rather than lawmakers.

“First Lady asks Congress to bring Epstein survivors in for testimony. With all due respect, that’s Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche’s job!” said Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., following her comments.

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“Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., and I already gave brave survivors a chance to tell their horrific stories on Capitol Hill. Pam Bondi wouldn’t even acknowledge them. PROSECUTE!”

Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif., also responded, stating, “Actually, Congress did act. But Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche is violating the law and refusing to release the Epstein files as required by law.”

Pressure has also come from individuals described as Epstein victims. In a letter shared publicly by Rep. Melanie Stansbury, D-N.M., more than a dozen alleged victims urged the Justice Department to take further steps.

“First Lady Melania Trump is now shifting the burden onto survivors under politicized conditions that protect those with power: the Department of Justice, law enforcement, prosecutors, and the Trump administration, which has still not fully complied with the Epstein Files Transparency Act,” the letter stated.

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“It also diverts attention from Pam Bondi, who must answer for withheld files and the exposure of survivors’ identities. Those failures continue to put lives at risk while shielding enablers.”

“Survivors have done their part. Now it’s time for those in power to do theirs,” the letter concluded.

The Department of Justice responded to inquiries by reiterating its position on outreach to victims.

In a statement to NPR, the agency said, “As we have always stated, we encourage any victims of Jeffrey Epstein — who wish to speak — to contact the FBI. Any survivor who has information on an abuser is encouraged to contact federal law enforcement.”

Blanche, who recently assumed his role following former Attorney General Pam Bondi, indicated earlier that the department intended to move forward from the Epstein matter.

Speaking in an interview with Fox News host Jesse Watters, Blanche said, “I think that to the extent that the Epstein files was a part of the past year of this Justice Department, it … should not be a part of anything going forward.”

He added that the DOJ “has now released all the files with respect to the Epstein saga.”

Despite that statement, several lawmakers have said additional steps are necessary. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., said House Oversight Chairman Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., agreed to call four named co-conspirators to testify before Congress.

“And they won’t be the only ones,” Luna said in a post on X.

“There are a number of doctors we also have questions for, and the list continues to grow. I am calling on the DOJ to prosecute individuals who took plea deals under civil rights violations, and to consider additional charges where appropriate. If you traffic a young girl(s), you don’t get to pretend to be a victim. There is a massive difference.”

Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., called for the first lady herself to testify, arguing her comments suggest she may have relevant information. Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif., also renewed calls for testimony from Bondi.

“Pam Bondi knows more about this cover-up and why the botched release of the files happened the way they did in doxxing survivors and putting their information out there, not protecting their identities. Pam Bondi must testify; that is her legal obligation,” Garcia said.

“I think there’s enough Republicans that also agree — she has been subpoenaed — they had a legal subpoena,” Garcia added.

“The DOJ and Todd Blanche continue to cover up for Donald Trump, continue to want this to go away, but we are going to continue to push every single day.”

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