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Deputy Attorney General Blanche Says No New Epstein Charges, Defends DOJ Actions

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Blanche’s Review Finds No Prosecutable Evidence in Epstein Files After a July‑long review of the released Epstein documents, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche told CNN the Justice Department found no evidence that meets the legal threshold for new charges, despite the files containing disturbing photographs and emails [1]. He said the public can examine the files to verify this conclusion. The department therefore will not pursue additional prosecutions related to the Epstein case.

Trump References Appear Frequently but Lack Credible Basis Blanche noted President Donald Trump’s name appears over 1,000 times in the Epstein materials, but most references stem from anonymous tips or unverifiable sources such as a sensational roommate story [1]. He emphasized that these mentions do not constitute credible evidence for an investigation or prosecution. The volume of references reflects quoted material rather than substantiated wrongdoing.

Tulsi Gabbard’s Role in Fulton County Search Remains Unclear When asked about Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard’s presence during the FBI’s search of the Fulton County elections office, Blanche said he does not know why she was there and confirmed she is not part of the grand jury investigation [1]. He added that Gabbard is involved in election‑integrity efforts, but the probe is being run by the FBI. No further connection to the DOJ’s election‑fraud inquiry was disclosed.

Don Lemon’s Indictment Considered Legally Justified Blanche defended the indictment of former CNN anchor Don Lemon, asserting there was “absolutely probable cause” and that a grand jury, not a judge, authorized the charges [1]. He argued the allegations extend beyond ordinary journalistic activity and are not politically motivated. Lemon will receive legal representation and the full rights of a defendant.

DOJ Emphasizes Standard Legal Processes Across Cases Across the Epstein file review, the Georgia election fraud probe, and the Lemon case, Blanche stressed the department’s adherence to established legal channels and rejected claims of partisan bias [1]. He highlighted the DOJ’s commitment to election integrity and the rule of law, noting that its actions remain subject to public scrutiny.

Sources

Timeline

2019 – Emails exchanged within the Justice Department discuss subpoenas for six individuals tied to Epstein, explicitly naming Ghislaine Maxwell and Les Wexner while redacting four other suspects, indicating early investigative focus on high‑profile associates[1].

2020 – Flight‑record logs reveal that former President Donald Trump flies on Epstein’s private jet more often than previously reported, prompting scrutiny of his connections despite no formal allegations at the time[1].

2022 – Ghislaine Maxwell receives a 20‑year prison sentence for sex‑trafficking minors, establishing a benchmark for accountability while leaving the identities of other alleged co‑conspirators unresolved[1][3].

July 2025 – The Justice Department completes a review of the Epstein files released earlier in the year and concludes there is no evidence sufficient to bring new criminal charges, a finding later reiterated by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche[2].

Dec 20, 2025 – The DOJ publishes a new batch of thousands of pages, photos, and videos from the Epstein investigation, but retains extensive redactions to protect victims and ongoing probes; Blanche notes “hundreds of thousands of pages are still under review” and will be released in coming weeks[1].

Dec 20, 2025 – Photographs released show former President Bill Clinton in a pool and hot tub with Epstein; Clinton’s spokesman states the images are “decades‑old” and Clinton “denies any knowledge of Epstein’s illegal activities”[1].

Dec 20, 2025 – Les Wexner’s legal team tells the BBC that a DOJ attorney confirmed he is “neither a co‑conspirator nor a target,” while Wexner publicly expresses embarrassment over his past ties to Epstein[1].

Dec 25, 2025 – Representative Ro Khanna appears on MSNBC, describing an undisclosed document that lists ten unnamed “co‑conspirators” and urging the release of FBI 302 interview files, noting survivors have identified a group of “rich and powerful men” but “it would be irresponsible to speculate”[3].

Dec 25, 2025 – Lawmakers, citing Khanna’s remarks, call for the full FBI‑file release to uncover the identities of alleged co‑conspirators, while Newsweek seeks DOJ comment on the ongoing disclosures[3].

Dec 2025 (coming weeks) – The Justice Department announces it will make “hundreds of thousands more pages” of Epstein‑related material public, expanding the record beyond the current releases[1].

Dec 2025 (near future) – Additional Epstein‑related files are expected to be released soon, potentially adding further detail to the public archive of the case[3].

Feb 1, 2026 – Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche tells CNN that “the world can examine the files” and confirms no new Epstein‑related charges will be filed, emphasizing that references to President Trump appear over 1,000 times but lack credible evidence[2].

Feb 1, 2026 – Blanche remarks that Tulsi Gabbard’s presence at the FBI’s Fulton County election‑office search “remains unexplained” and affirms she is not part of the grand‑jury investigation, underscoring the separation of election‑integrity efforts from the probe[2].

Feb 1, 2026 – Blanche defends the indictment of former CNN anchor Don Lemon, stating there is “absolutely probable cause” and that a grand jury, not a judge, authorized the charges, reinforcing the DOJ’s stance on the case’s legality[2].

Feb 2026 (ongoing) – The Justice Department continues its Georgia election‑fraud investigation, asserting adherence to established legal processes and a commitment to election integrity despite political criticism[2].

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