Deputy AG Todd Blanche: "Nothing in There That Allowed Us to Prosecute Anybody"

DOJ Signals No New Epstein Charges

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche delivered a stark message during an appearance on CNN's State of the Union in early February 2026: the Department of Justice does not expect to bring new criminal charges based on the Epstein files.

"There was nothing in there that allowed us to prosecute anybody," Blanche said, referring to a review of Epstein-related records conducted by the Department over the summer of 2025.

The DOJ's Position

According to Blanche and other DOJ officials:

• The Department conducted a comprehensive review of Epstein-related records in the summer of 2025
• That review "did not establish a basis for new criminal investigations"
• The position remains unchanged even after the massive January 30, 2026 document release focused fresh attention on Epstein's connections to powerful individuals
• The DOJ considers its legal obligations under the Epstein Files Transparency Act to be met

What This Means

The Deputy AG's statement effectively closes the door — at least for now — on the possibility of federal prosecutors bringing new cases against anyone connected to Epstein's crimes. This is significant because:

• Only two people have ever been criminally charged in connection with Epstein's sex trafficking operation: Epstein himself (who died in jail in 2019) and Ghislaine Maxwell (convicted in 2021, sentenced to 20 years)
• The 3.5 million pages of released documents contain references to hundreds of individuals who interacted with Epstein
• Many victims and advocates have long argued that others enabled or participated in Epstein's crimes

Fierce Criticism

The statement has drawn sharp responses:

From Victims' Advocates

Attorneys representing Epstein survivors have argued that the DOJ has a fundamental conflict of interest in investigating itself. The Department oversaw the controversial 2007 non-prosecution agreement in Florida — widely considered one of the most criticized plea deals in modern American legal history — that allowed Epstein to plead guilty to state prostitution charges and serve just 13 months.

From Congress

Members of both parties have questioned whether the DOJ conducted a genuinely thorough review:

• The House Oversight Committee's ongoing investigation suggests lawmakers are not satisfied with the DOJ's conclusions
• The fact that Congress demanded access to unredacted files indicates distrust of the Department's review process

From Legal Experts

Former federal prosecutors have noted that the sheer volume of documents — millions of pages — raises questions about whether any review conducted over a single summer could be adequate.

Historical Context

The DOJ's handling of the Epstein case has faced scrutiny at multiple points:

• 2007: The controversial non-prosecution agreement brokered by then-U.S. Attorney Alexander Acosta
• 2019: Epstein's death in a federal detention facility while awaiting trial, ruled a suicide but widely questioned
• 2021: The Maxwell trial resulted in conviction, but prosecutors did not name additional co-conspirators
• 2025-2026: The Epstein Files Transparency Act forced the release of documents the DOJ had fought to keep sealed

The pattern has led critics to argue that the Department has consistently failed to pursue accountability for those in Epstein's orbit.

What Happens Next

Despite the DOJ's position, several avenues for accountability remain:

• The House Oversight Committee investigation continues, with depositions scheduled
• Victims' attorneys continue to pursue civil litigation against individuals connected to Epstein
• Congressional access to unredacted files could reveal information that prompts new investigations
• Calls for an independent prosecutor or special counsel continue to grow

Search the full document archive or explore the network of connections to understand the scope of what investigators had access to.