NPR News: 07-15-2026 11AM EDT

Windsor Johnston· Host0:00

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche is facing pointed questions on Capitol Hill at this hour as his confirmation hearing gets underway before the Senate Judiciary Committee. One of the sharpest exchanges came as Illinois Senator Dick Durbin questioned Blanche about the department's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files and its response to survivors.

Todd Blanche· Soundbite0:25

I have never said I will not meet s- with survivors. I am so- Will you meet with these 10 survivors?

Dick Durbin· Soundbite0:29

I'm asking you on the record.

Todd Blanche· Soundbite0:30

If they have lawyers, as you know, I'm prohibited from meeting directly with them. I have met with counsel for survivors, as has many people in the Department of Justice, over 30.

Dick Durbin· Soundbite0:40

So you won't- Um, but if they are represented by counsel, we will work with their counsel.

Todd Blanche· Soundbite0:44

If they don't have a lawyer, I will certainly make arrangements to make sure the right people at the Department of Justice meet with them, absolutely.

Dick Durbin· Soundbite0:50

Will you get it done, will you get it done within the next 30 days that each of these survivors- I will get it done today if that's necessary.

Windsor Johnston· Host0:55

Senators are also pressing Blanche over accusations the department has targeted President Trump's political opponents and decisions involving investigations of the president and his family. A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from denying visas to or seeking to deport non-citizens working on or studying online content moderation. NPR's Shannon Bond reports the judge says the policy likely violates the First Amendment.

Shannon Bond1:25

The State Department has said the visa ban targets foreign nationals it says are, quote, "complicit