Todd Blanche Ordered to Answer Questions on FBI’s Epstein Investigation Failures

Todd Blanche, the Trump administration’s top law enforcement official, has been ordered by a federal judge to answer up to 10 written questions regarding his alleged explosive remarks about the FBI’s handling of Jeffrey Epstein’s sexual abuse investigation. The ruling, issued on November 5 by U.S. Magistrate Judge Ryon McCabe, allows Epstein survivors to seek answers despite a blocked deposition request.

Background of Blanche’s Alleged Remarks

The legal dispute traces back to a July 16 meeting in Washington, D.C., where Blanche reportedly acknowledged significant failures in the FBI’s investigation of Epstein. According to a November 3 court filing obtained by OK!, attorneys representing Epstein survivors claim Blanche admitted the FBI’s case against Epstein “was handled improperly before 2007.”

The filing further alleges Blanche told victims, “You got screwed over by the FBI, but I cannot fix the FBI’s lack of investigation.” These statements, documented in declarations submitted by plaintiffs and their lawyers, are central to the survivors’ efforts to determine whether federal investigators violated mandatory procedures when managing complaints against the disgraced financier.

Legal Arguments and Government Response

The lawsuit, brought under the Federal Tort Claims Act, accuses the FBI of negligently failing to investigate Epstein thoroughly, arresting him sooner, and preventing additional abuse. In their November 3 opposition filing, survivors’ attorneys accused the government of obstructing discovery by withholding critical documents and knowledgeable witnesses, despite court-authorized discovery efforts regarding the FBI’s investigative policies.

The plaintiffs also raised concerns about how Epstein-related records were handled and redacted, referencing issues outlined earlier in an October congressional letter. Attorneys argued that Blanche holds unique knowledge about his alleged statements and should be compelled to explain them under oath.

Judge’s Ruling: Deposition Blocked, Written Questions Allowed

While Judge McCabe denied the immediate deposition request, he recognized the importance of Blanche’s alleged statements to the limited discovery permitted in the case. Citing the legal protections typically granted to high-ranking government officials, the judge found the plaintiffs had not demonstrated extraordinary circumstances to justify a deposition at this stage.

However, the court authorized up to 10 written interrogatories focusing specifically on Blanche’s July remarks. These questions must be answered within 15 days of submission. The ruling also leaves open the possibility for survivors to renew their deposition request after exhausting other discovery methods.

Discovery and Next Steps in the Epstein Lawsuit

The court instructed both parties to address remaining discovery obligations, including arranging a government witness deposition and producing documents following the establishment of a confidentiality order. The parties must agree on the proposed confidentiality order and set a deposition date by November 11.

For Epstein survivors, the central issue remains whether the FBI had mandatory duties to act on sexual abuse complaints and whether federal investigators failed to fulfill these obligations. The government disputes the plaintiffs’ interpretation of the FBI’s responsibilities.

Although the court has not ruled on whether the FBI violated its policies, Blanche’s alleged comments will now be scrutinized through written questioning as part of the broader lawsuit seeking accountability for the agency’s handling of Epstein.

The deposition remains blocked unless the court issues a future order allowing it.