Former attorney general says replacement oversaw Epstein files release

The former attorney general told the House oversight and reform committee that Todd Blanche oversaw the Justice Department's handling of Jeffrey Epstein files. She said she did not lead every aspect of the effort and was not certain of the extent to which the president knew about the crimes of Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell before they became public.

She defended the department's overall approach to the records while acknowledging redaction errors in the release. The former attorney general stated that the department had been committed to accountability and transparency since the start of the process.

Background on the file release Several lawmakers and survivors of Epstein's abuse have criticized certain redactions and the disclosure of sensitive personal information. If formally nominated, Blanche would require Senate confirmation to serve as attorney general on a permanent basis.

The former attorney general's comments came during an appearance before the committee reviewing the department's actions on the files.