Todd Blanche asks judge to spare $1,000‑a‑day fine in Epstein files case

journalismJul 21, 2026242,619

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche asked a federal judge Monday to spare him a $1,000-per-day contempt fine in a lawsuit by journalist Katie Phang alleging violations of the Epstein Files Transparency Act. In June, U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan found Blanche had not disputed Phang's core claims that the Justice Department missed the law's release deadline, made improper redactions, and withheld required documents. Sullivan ordered production of handwritten FBI interview notes from agents who spoke with a woman who accused President Donald Trump of sexually assaulting her as a minor, emails to Epstein with sender names unredacted, and documents naming potential co-conspirators. Phang proposed daily sanctions until compliance; Blanche called her filings "hyperbolic rhetoric" and "outlandish claims," and asked the judge for no contempt or sanctions, immediate appeal rights, and a stay pending appeal. Brendan Ballou, founder of the Public Integrity Project representing Phang, said the government "ignored its own law and blew off a judge's order." National Public Radio reported the Justice Department withheld and removed Epstein files tied to allegations against the president, including more than 50 pages of FBI interview notes. Sullivan has not ruled on contempt. The Senate Judiciary Committee has an executive business meeting on July 23 where a vote on Blanche's confirmation as permanent attorney general is expected.

Katie Phang

@katiephang.bsky.social

EXCLUSIVE: In my lawsuit, Todd Blanche continues to refuse to turn over unredacted Epstein Files and to comply with the law. I break down Blanche’s latest filing that is tellingly short on content and substance. youtu.be/JzVZxT7ZtJo?...

14682h ago

experimental22.bsky.social22

Todd Blanche is a mob lawyer. The DOJ is now a criminal obstruction of justice racket. It’s not even really trying to pretend that it has anything to do with law enforcement.

🇺🇸🇨🇿🇺🇦⚫15

Won’t the Court appoint a Special Master, and get this moving?

ANTIFA AF13

Seems like we could start the process of accountability with what we already have:

Señor Peabody9

Thank you for the work you're doing.

Robert Ellingsworth9

Keep up the fight, Katie.

oligarchssuck.bsky.social6

Reason number 1776 that he is unfit for office.

MeidasTouch

@meidastouch.com

Epstein survivor Virginia Giuffre's brother Sky Roberts says Todd Blanche showed a "complete lack of humanity" toward survivors, recalling Blanche telling him: "Virginia is not here. Your sister's not here to provide that testimony," despite evidence Giuffre provided implicating Prince Andrew.

7101h ago

MeidasTouch66

Watch the full interview: www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9NN...

olehippynudist.bsky.social6

Todd Blanche has done more for Ghislane Maxwell than the Trump Epstein Victims

KChevy 🇨🇦🌈🌿🌎5

That entire administration is scum…the lowest of the low. 😡

Cre8ve 🆘❤️🧡💛💚💙💜 No lists4

She testified to it before she was "offed," because I don't believe she took her own life.......

John Rustle2

Sorry if I offend anyone here but sweet Christ. Todd Blanche is a subhuman, shit eating, pedophile and sexual assault defending scumbag.

Oma-Rox6474.bksy.social1

Virginia's testimony is not heard because she is not here because blanche and the regime protect pedophiles rapists and murderers .

Quoting this

Matt Leeds3

Blanche is a Evil Snake In Human Skin. He’s a Criminal & LIAR Blanche WIll Go To Prison For The Coverup Why Did He Have a Private Meeting with Maxwell?🤔 He is the FELON’s personal criminal attorney Blanche will get disbarred & go to prison for his crimes. He will be in his orange jumpsuit soon

Legal AF

@legalafmtn.bsky.social

Popok reports on Todd Blanche refusing to testify under oath about his failures to comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, and the likely sanctions Judge Sullivan may impose this week while the Block Blanche movement gains steam.

674h ago

The Bulwark

@thebulwark.com

BREAKING: GOP Senators could potentially turn on Trump's Attorney General pick, Todd Blanche. @samsteindc.bsky.social is live now with Huffington Post's @delaneyrules.bsky.social to explain how. lnk.thebulwark.com/4fwcmfa

772h ago

econtrarian.bsky.social5

Potentially? Believe it when I see it. Profiles in cowardice.

reneedodson.bsky.social3

He called Tillis and Cornyn into the Oval, he’ll probably bribe them for their votes

xpaulaxmasx2

As if the Ghislane Maxwell thing alone wasn't freaking enough.

nurseforlife.bsky.social1

They absolutely should NOT nominate that man. He was the presidents personal lawyer as recently as 1 1/2 years ago, he is still acting as though he is e.g. Epstein files cover up & breaking laws

Sascha_Vykos21

"Potential" anything is not breaking news ffs get a grip.

fatherrunner.bsky.social1

Not going to hold my breath

Purple Teacher

@peaceandteachin.bsky.social

Massie and Khanna files a 2nd Epstein bill to force the release of over 3 million documents Blanche is hiding. The new bill allows State AGs and victims to compel compliance with the court order & transparency law Trump signed. #ProudBlue#Voices4Victory #OneV1 www.courier-journal.com/story/news/p...

392h ago

The Democratic Coalition

@thedemcoalition.bsky.social

Blanche as AG would turn the Justice Department into Trump’s personal attack dog—burying scandals like the Epstein files, targeting enemies, and shredding the rule of law from the inside. Oppose him now before it’s too late. #PayToVoteSaveAct

352h ago

TommasinaResist⚜️🦋🐈‍⬛

@tommasinaresist.bsky.social

Todd Blanche isn't defending civil rights. He's dismantling them by raiding and intimidating voter registration groups, targeting “political enemies,” and going after anyone who protects the vote or holds power accountable. Tell your Senator to vote NO! #BlockBlanche #USDemocracy #Voices4Victory

321h ago

enrich12

@enrich12.bsky.social

Todd Blanche left the Epstein survivors feeling dehumanized. 😡 That's all we need to know. #NoEmpathy #pedophiles

201h ago

Cheri Jacobus

@cherijacobus.bsky.social

Were Tillis and Cornyn just "checking off a box" so they can gaslight their way to vote to confirm Trump's corrupt pick for AG? Or will they show they actually care about the Epstien victims and send Todd Blanche packing?

221h ago

Laguna Beach Democratic Club

@lagunabeachdems.bsky.social

Is Trump encouraging pedophilia? Not a single American male in the Epstein files has been held accountable for raping children. POCATELLO Idaho – A judge did not accept the guilty plea of a former LDS church leader who is accused of committing sexual abuse against multiple minors.

Courtesy Bannock County Jail
Judge rejects plea agreement for former Mormon church leader accused of sexually abusing multiple children.

212h ago

experimental22.bsky.social

@experimental22.bsky.social

Todd Blanche is a mob lawyer. The DOJ is now a criminal obstruction of justice racket. It’s not even really trying to pretend that it has anything to do with law enforcement.

222h ago

Ray Beckerman

@raybeckerman.bsky.social

Blanche Begs Judge Not to Fine Him $1,000 a Day Over Epstein Files newrepublic.com/post/213313/...

122h ago

Quoting this

Clios Fan Boy🗽🇺🇸 🇺🇦 🇹🇼 🇨🇦 🇬🇱2

I agree. Can the judge make it $5K a day instead??

❀°。Der Siebenschläfer *.ﾟ✿ ⋆

@sababausa.bsky.social

now that Todd Blanche is nodding toward promising to enforce the Comstock Act, I'm again left wondering why elected Democrats were so lackadaisical about amending it in 2024 msmagazine.com/2026/07/17/t...

142h ago

Courthouse News

@courthousenews.bsky.social

First lady Melania Trump filed a motion for sanctions against journalist and Donald Trump biographer Michael Wolff on Tuesday, weeks after a federal judge cautioned her against the move. @uebey.bsky.social www.courthousenews.com/melania-trum...

102h ago

PINO FOTUS

@pino-fotus.bsky.social

I think the fine should be even higher because there is NO acceptable reason for withholding the release of ALL the #Epstein Files. They’ve had more than enough time.

101h ago

1 source

rawstory.comTodd Blanche begs judge not to hit him with $1K-a-day fine over Epstein debacle

Todd Blanche asks judge to spare $1,000‑a‑day fine in Epstein files casejournalism

Todd Blanche asks judge to spare $1,000‑a‑day fine in Epstein files case

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