FULL HEARING: Epstein Survivors, DOJ Officials & John Ashcroft Grill Todd Blanche at Hearing — AC1G

[0:00] in that respect, upon graduation from law school, he clerked for several judges, two of whom are [0:08] now serving on the respected nationally focused Second Circuit Court of Appeals. So he had an [0:14] understanding of the law from both the prosecutorial side and the side of the bench. Following his [0:22] clerkships, Todd became an assistant United States attorney as the U.S. Attorney Office for [0:27] Southern District of New York, a premier prosecutorial office of the United States. He spent roughly two [0:36] years as the co-chief of the Violent Crimes Unit, supervising there nearly two dozen prosecutors, [0:42] then served as the co-chief of the office's White Plains Division, where he presided over a wide [0:50] span of work, public corruption, securities, and bank and wire fraud, federal programs, [0:57] fraud, Medicare fraud, RICO, and violent crime. Today, as Deputy Attorney General and Acting [1:04] Attorney General, Todd energizes the roughly 115,000 employees from across Maine Justice, [1:11] the FBI, the DEA, the U.S. Marshals Service, ATF, and 93 U.S. Attorney's offices that span the United [1:21] States. He's conducted the department's daily operations at full scale, demonstrating his [1:28] readiness to manage the office in his own right. Todd therefore brings to the Department of Justice [1:34] a relevant reservoir of experience, coupled with sound judgment on an array of different issues. [1:43] They're all related to law enforcement and the administration of justice. He understands [1:47] that the rule of law exists to secure this and safeguard the God-given rights of liberty and freedom [1:56] in America. In professional moments, both private and public, I have seen Todd's thoughtful, [2:03] decisive, yet humble leadership. He's a careful and willing listener, skilled at welcoming diverse [2:09] viewpoints. He is adept at synthesizing and harmonizing different voices in complex situations. [2:17] He is comfortable in being held to account, and he will require those in the department to be [2:24] similarly accessible and accountable. Todd Blanche's record reflects a commitment to the rule of law [2:31] and the Constitution. Our 250th anniversary properly reminds us that liberty is the core value of [2:39] America. In fact, it's a core value of human existence. To safeguard this core cultural value, [2:48] America needs an attorney general exclusively devoted to the rule of law, and who unfailingly will honor [2:55] his oath to the Constitution, Todd Blanche is the right person for that responsibility. [3:03] Mr. Chairman and committee members, thank you for what I consider to be a privilege to appear before [3:08] this committee and communicate to you my unreserved endorsement of Todd Blanche for attorney general of [3:15] the United States, and I thank you for this opportunity. Thank you, Mr. Ashcroft. Now, Ms. Benski. [3:23] First, I'd like to thank you and the committee for hearing survivor voices. I'd like to remind you of who [3:40] you're hearing from today. At this time, can my survivor sisters and family please rise? We may look [3:50] like grown adults when you see us now, but we were children. Young girls at the time of our abuse. [3:56] These are the photos of when our innocence, dreams, and lives were stolen. Please take these faces in as [4:02] you think of us as your own family, daughters, nieces, sisters. Now look at our faces and remember [4:09] the women and families of who the DOJ re-victimized. You guys can sit. Thank you so much. [4:17] I'm a teacher. In my school, if a student released a nude photo depicting a peer's sexual assault and [4:24] abuse, they would almost certainly face expulsion. And yet, this is what our Department of Justice did [4:30] to crime victims. Today, Todd Blanche, well, Todd Blanche has been at the helm of the release of nude [4:37] images of survivors, the outing of Jane Doe's, and the exposure of more than 100 victims identifying [4:45] information and documents describing horrific acts of abuse, including my own. Instead of treating this [4:53] release as its own violation and holding the man who led it accountable, you have a decision on whether you [5:01] place him in the highest law enforcement position in this country. In December, before the document release, [5:10] our attorneys submitted 350 victims' names to the Department of Justice as victims' names to be redacted prior to the [5:18] release. In that first release, I found my name in two places. In that next release in January, my name appeared [5:25] again, but this time the redactions were so far worse. The files displayed not only my name, but my phone [5:31] number, my former addresses, where I worked, and other identifying information. When my name appeared in the [5:38] third file release, it became difficult to believe that this was not intentional. Despite my lawyer repeatedly [5:46] contacting the DOJ seeking protection, my information continued to be exposed. And it's not just my name, [5:54] it's the identifying information. These documents contain disturbing yet incomplete accounts of my abuse. [6:01] They were available not only for the entire world to see, but my child, my students, my friends, my employers, [6:08] my colleagues, and my family. It was humiliating. Worse, my FBI 302 exposed a Jane Doe, who had [6:16] fought for decades to conceal her identity. It's been absolutely devastating. Outing survivors causes real and [6:26] irrevocable harm. While coping with our emotional distress and psychological trauma, we also have lost our privacy and [6:35] confidentiality, suffered reputational harm, lost jobs, and now fear for our personal safety. We are not activists. We are crime [6:46] victims. For us, this has never been about politics. It has been about getting justice for the crimes committed [6:54] against us. And the redactions are not the only problem with Todd Blanche's nomination. Todd Blanche has never [7:01] attempted to listen to us, the crime victims. Survivors in this room repeatedly asked to meet with Todd Blanche [7:07] through multiple channels. He never responded. Yesterday, he said he would meet with us, with our attorneys, if they were [7:14] present. But let's be clear, that was the first time that that was ever communicated to us before [7:20] yesterday. He simply ignored us for the last eight months. He's been radio silent, and the silence was [7:27] deafening. Crime victims deserve better from the nation's highest level of law enforcement officials. [7:35] We deserve to be heard directly, not dismissed and ignored. There are numerous investigative leads [7:41] that must be followed, despite Mr. Blanche's claim that there are none. Epstein and Maxwell did not abuse [7:49] women and children alone. They did not build their operation alone. Others enabled these crimes, [7:56] exploited victims, and avoided accountability for decades. You do not have to take my word for it. [8:03] Several weeks ago, after examining the evidence, Chairman James Comer directed Todd Blanche to open [8:09] investigations into two men connected to Epstein. The Epstein files are not merely a collection of [8:16] embarrassing names and politically damaging associations. They are records connected to the [8:23] sexual exploitation and trafficking of girls and young women. They contain information about how Epstein's [8:31] network worked, who assisted him, and whether additional crimes can still be investigated. [8:36] The Department of Justice should pursue every credible lead, not just tirelessly, tirelessly, [8:44] work tirelessly, not just to shut down the investigations. The survivors in this room know [8:50] there are investigative leads because they are our stories. Mr. Blanche knows it too, yet he has [8:57] chosen not to pursue them. Mr. Blanche's actions have destroyed survivors' trust. According to public [9:04] reporting, Mr. Blanche spent approximately nine hours meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell, he did not even spend [9:11] nine minutes meeting with a survivor. Afterward, Maxwell was transferred to what many have described [9:18] as a summer camp prison. We learned all of this through the news. Imagine what that feels like as a [9:25] survivor to sit there if you were exploited by Ghislaine Maxwell and you're hearing this for the first [9:29] time with no explanation, no outreach, and no transparency from your... And to add insult to injury, [9:36] the information that Todd Blanche gathered in the White House Situation Room last summer to curb the [9:42] political fallout from the Epstein files was absolutely abhorrent. Instead of following investigative [9:48] leads, our government treated and continued to treat this as a political crisis that needs to be managed. [9:55] In our nation, everyone deserves equal protection under the law. Todd Blanche has been unwilling to protect [10:02] Epstein survivors' personal information, and he has been resistant to investigate the people who helped Epstein [10:10] and Maxwell commit those crimes. We need an attorney general committed to ensuring that everyone who facilitated [10:17] Epstein's crimes is held accountable. Please, I implore you, please think carefully and think about the girls in these photos. [10:26] Thank you. [10:28] Ms. Benske, now Ms. Boss. [10:31] Ms. Thank you, Chairman Grassley-Israel. Thank you, Chairman Grassley and Ranking Member Durbin and members of the committee. [10:47] Can you pull it real close to you? [10:51] Pull it to you more. There. [10:52] Yeah, I think that's right. [10:56] My name is Jennifer Boss. I live in Antioch, Illinois. I'm the mother of an angel named Megan Boss, [11:02] and I'm here because my daughter's tragic and gruesome death has exposed catastrophic failures in immigration enforcement and drug trafficking policies. [11:11] The investigation into her death continues, but one truth is painfully clear. [11:17] Dangerous gaps in our system allowed an illegal alien to exploit our laws, and my daughter paid the ultimate price. [11:24] Losing Megan and then being forced to navigate multiple broken systems while drowning in grief taught me that policies carrying life or death consequences cannot remain political talking points. [11:40] That's why I've tried, despite the most intense heartache anyone can ever experience, to speak locally and nationally about the four crises that compounded our tragedy. [11:51] Illegal immigration, sanctuary policies, the fentanyl crisis, and cashless bail. [12:00] I'm so grateful that the whole of this administration, with Todd Blanche leading the DOJ, has prioritized all four of these issues. [12:09] I'm asking the committee not to wait until another mother is sitting where I am. [12:15] Confirm Todd Blanche. He is the leader who will uphold the law. [12:19] Honor victims. Confront dangerous criminal organizations. [12:23] And fight to give other American families the safety and lasting protection that came too late for mine. [12:33] I couldn't save my daughter. [12:36] But Todd Blanche, as Attorney General, he might save yours. [12:39] Because next time, it could be your child. [12:42] It could be your family. [12:46] It could be you. [12:48] This can happen to anyone. [12:51] We must have leaders that are willing to act before the next life is taken. [12:55] Leaders that are willing to confront the failures instead of explaining them away. [13:01] Leaders like Todd Blanche. [13:05] Megan was my firstborn. [13:08] She was a mom and a sister and an aunt. [13:10] Loyal friend. [13:14] She was bubbly and funny. [13:19] She loved to be silly. [13:22] She was extraordinarily creative. [13:27] And she was blessed with the spirit that just lit up the room. [13:34] In February of 2025, Megan disappeared. [13:38] For 51 days, our family lived in the most unbearable agony. [13:44] Day after day, I did everything I could think of to search for her. [13:50] Instead of bringing Megan home, our search ended with the most unbearable truth a mother could ever be forced to face. [13:56] We learned that Megan's life had been cut short and her body was concealed, stuffed upside down in a garbage can filled with bleach by an illegal alien that had no right to be here. [14:29] Again, she was stuffed upside down in a garbage can for 51 days, soaking in bleach for seven weeks. [14:48] This man walked past that garbage can on his way to the bakery he worked at every day under a fake name. [14:59] And during those weeks, I couldn't breathe or eat or sleep. [15:04] We searched his neighborhood. [15:07] We knocked on his door. [15:12] We left Megan flyers with Megan's face on every surface we could find. [15:17] And then I learned she was only a driveway distance away from us the whole time. [15:38] Not only was she killed, but her dignity was stolen and death. [15:44] Had Megan not been identified by the tattoos that she loved so dearly, even the beautiful image of my daughter that I hold in my heart, my head, [15:55] it would have been replaced forever by the unbearable image of what had been done to her. [16:00] Megan's daughter, she was only five years old when this happened. [16:08] Her life with Megan and her right to know and make memories with her mom, it was stolen. [16:18] This is Megan's bracelet, the charm bracelet we started when she was five. [16:26] And it has every memory on it from growing up, every milestone, every place that we visit, anything that was important to her. [16:36] It's here. It's here. This is her story. [16:42] And these are the stories that she should be telling her daughter. [16:47] I have to hope I can remember them all. [16:51] There's so many. [16:53] My husband and I, we won't be retiring like we imagined, of course, [17:03] because we have to pray that we live long enough to raise her little girl into adulthood. [17:08] And this is because our laws that we already have aren't enforced. [17:16] This is why victims don't care about partisan victories. [17:23] We care whether the dangerous criminals and drug traffickers and cartels are stopped [17:29] before another loved one is buried and another family's life is shattered. [17:33] Right now, governors and local officials enact sanctuary protections, [17:43] cashless bail policies, and identification laws that undermine federal enforcement [17:48] and create dangerous public safety loopholes. [17:51] A criminal that's released under a reckless local policy does not remain inside that city or state. [18:00] He can cross into yours. [18:04] Megan's perpetrator was released the day after he was arrested. [18:09] Do you want him as your neighbor? [18:14] Angel families have told me how they've been entirely abandoned and ignored by the government. [18:22] Our children and our families were politically inconvenient. [18:25] Some of these angel families have been trying, asking for someone to listen to the stories [18:32] and learn from what's happened to us for more than 25 years. [18:37] In this very room, the last angel mom that sat here was asked [18:50] how come she was here and why did they have to sit through another hearing? [19:00] That's beginning to change now under the current leadership of Todd Blanche. [19:05] Angel families finally are feeling hurt and respected and taken seriously. [19:10] There is a renewed focus on prosecuting immigration crimes and the transnational criminal organizations, [19:19] drug trafficking, and the like. [19:21] So much work that's done by ICE and Homeland Security investigations goes unseen. [19:28] It's not limited to detaining the individuals who escaped detection at the border. [19:35] Their work is life-protecting. [19:37] From the time that I've spent talking with Todd Blanche, I knew immediately that he makes victims a priority. [19:47] Under his direction, the DOJ has engaged directly with the angel families [19:53] and treated us not like political props, but as partners in preventing future tragedies. [20:00] And that's all that we've ever asked for. [20:05] Justice can't bring our children home. [20:08] Nothing can. [20:10] So the justice that we're seeking now is the assurance that their deaths won't be ignored [20:18] and they won't be in vain and preventable tragedies from these laws not being enforced won't be repeated. [20:29] I 100% believe Todd Blanche will be the one who can deliver that justice, [20:36] saving lives of people who will never know it. [20:40] Thank you. [20:41] Thank you. [20:41] Thank you, Ms. Boss. [20:43] Now, Ms. Hoyer. [20:45] Good morning, Chairman Grassley, Ranking Member Durbin, and members of this committee. [20:54] I am here as a public servant, a former Justice Department employee, [20:58] and a concerned American who cares deeply about the future of our country. [21:04] I had great hope that Todd Blanche would be an effective leader [21:07] and a responsible steward of the Department of Justice. [21:11] But he quickly proved me wrong. [21:13] Two days after Mr. Blanche was confirmed as Deputy Attorney General, [21:18] he fired me from my position as the Department's career pardon attorney. [21:22] I declined to rubber stamp a political favor for a friend of the President, [21:27] and it cost me my job. [21:30] Mr. Blanche's office had asked me to recommend restoring the gun ownership rights [21:34] of a convicted domestic abuser. [21:36] I raised concerns about public safety, but Mr. Blanche's staff pressured me to go along anyway. [21:45] I did not. [21:46] Domestic violence is the leading type of homicide among women. [21:51] When a domestic abuser is armed, his victim is five times more likely to be killed. [21:58] But because this particular domestic abuser had a personal relationship with the President, [22:03] Mr. Blanche's staff asked me to set aside my concerns. [22:06] When I wouldn't, Mr. Blanche fired me within hours. [22:11] He then took extraordinary measures to silence me. [22:15] He sent U.S. Marshals to my home in an effort to prevent me from speaking with members of Congress. [22:22] I was shocked to hear Mr. Blanche's testimony about this yesterday. [22:28] What he said about my firing is provably false. [22:32] His claim that it had nothing to do with the concerns I raised is contradicted by documents and evidence. [22:37] His claim that he tried to call me before sending marshals to my home is flat-out false. [22:45] His claim that it is normal for DOJ to use armed law enforcement officers to deliver mail to the homes of its former employees is preposterous. [22:55] The casual lies while sitting in this chair testifying to this committee are emblematic of a much larger problem. [23:10] Courts across the country have said they can no longer trust the Justice Department to uphold the law and tell the truth. [23:19] There are over 700 documented instances of DOJ violating judicial orders. [23:26] There are nearly 100 cases in which judges appointed by both parties have found that DOJ presented false or misleading information in court. [23:38] Earlier this week, a federal judge found that Mr. Blanche personally misled this Congress about the department's settlement agreement with President Trump. [23:47] To the American public, it looks like Mr. Blanche is running DOJ as Donald Trump's personal law firm. [23:56] He is using law enforcement powers to pursue petty grudges harbored by the president. [24:02] These pointless vendettas are wasting our scarce resources and destroying DOJ's credibility. [24:11] Mr. Blanche has repeatedly placed President Trump's interests ahead of the interests of the country. [24:18] The collusive settlement agreement is a perfect example. [24:23] It protects the entire Trump family and all of their businesses from any investigation or audit forever. [24:32] It gives away nearly $2 billion of our money for no reason at all. [24:38] It is a windfall for the president and his allies at the expense of the American people. [24:43] A court found that signing this agreement was a betrayal of Mr. Blanche's duty to zealously represent the interests of the United States. [24:53] That is the most basic obligation of the Attorney General. [24:59] Mr. Blanche said yesterday that the settlement fund is dead. [25:02] It is not. [25:03] That is Contract Law 101. [25:06] Mr. Trump or his sons could seek to enforce it at any time. [25:10] Mr. Blanche gave bizarre excuses for not meeting with Jeffrey Epstein's victims. [25:18] Yet he spent two days personally eliciting testimony from Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's partner in crime. [25:26] After this imprisoned sex trafficker made statements claiming to exonerate the president, [25:32] she was moved to a minimum security camp. [25:36] That is a grievous breach of DOJ policy. [25:39] It is an abuse of Mr. Blanche's office. [25:44] It is a terrible betrayal of Epstein and Maxwell's victims. [25:50] Mr. Blanche's callous approach to the Epstein case matches his cavalier attitude toward rearming domestic abusers. [25:58] At the end of the day, the priority of this DOJ is protecting powerful men, [26:04] even when it comes at the expense of vulnerable women. [26:09] What Mr. Blanche is doing is dangerous. [26:11] Earlier this week, two Supreme Court justices sat here and testified about the terrifying threats [26:19] that judges are facing in this country. [26:21] Meanwhile, Mr. Blanche is fueling those threats by attacking judges who rule against the administration [26:28] and declaring a war against the courts. [26:32] These are not partisan concerns. [26:35] Americans across the political spectrum rely on DOJ to keep us safe and free. [26:41] Mr. Blanche has shown that he is willing to put all of that at risk to serve a political agenda. [26:48] I beg the members of this committee to think about what this is costing our country. [26:53] Please do not degrade our justice system further by promoting Mr. Blanche. [26:59] Thank you. [27:00] Thank you, Mr. O'Hara. [27:01] Now, Mr. Adler. [27:06] Good morning, Chairman Grassley, Ranking Member Durbin, [27:08] and distinguished members of the Senate Judiciary Committee. [27:11] My name is John Adler, and I appear before you today in my personal capacity [27:15] to provide testimony in support of the nomination of the Honorable Todd Blanche [27:19] to serve as the United States Attorney General. [27:22] I respectfully offer my perspective both as a former colleague of Acting Attorney General Blanche [27:26] and as a national law enforcement organization leader. [27:30] My experience in law enforcement spans over 30 years, [27:33] and I was honored to serve under 10 Attorney Generals as a federal law enforcement officer. [27:38] Concurrent with my active duty law enforcement service, [27:41] I also served as the national president of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association [27:44] for two terms representing federal offices from 65 different agencies nationwide. [27:51] As a volunteer law enforcement leader, [27:53] I had and continue to have the privilege of serving with the leaders [27:56] of the largest national law enforcement organizations, [27:59] including the FOP, NAPO, NSA, IACP, and others. [28:03] I have dedicated my life towards making it safer for those who serve [28:06] and supporting innovative approaches towards augmenting both officer and public safety, [28:11] which are intertwined. [28:13] As a career tactical instructor, [28:15] I emphasize marrying tactical proficiency with compassion and civility. [28:20] Within a legal context, [28:21] I am convinced that Acting Attorney General Blanche exudes this. [28:24] When I joined the U.S. Attorney's Office in April 2001, [28:28] I met an incredibly intelligent and highly motivated paralegal [28:31] by the name of Todd Blanche. [28:33] My first impression of then-paralegal Blanche [28:36] was that he moved like a football fullback, [28:38] carrying the federal criminal statutes book under his arm [28:41] as he charged through the revolving doors. [28:44] It didn't take long for me to figure out [28:45] why all the prosecutors were so friendly with Mr. Blanche. [28:48] They all wanted him on their trial teams. [28:51] It was clear from the beginning [28:52] that paralegal Blanche had a passion for prosecuting violent crimes. [28:56] He later became an assistant U.S. attorney, [28:59] and his amazing work ethic and passion [29:01] for combating violent crime were unparalleled for a new AUSA. [29:06] AUSA Blanche exuded the [29:07] speak softly but carry overwhelming evidence demeanor. [29:11] It was no surprise to anyone at the office [29:13] that AUSA Blanche ultimately became the co-chief [29:16] of the Violent Crimes Unit. [29:18] It was clear that Unit Chief Blanche was fully committed [29:21] to litigating violent crime cases [29:22] in furtherance of public safety. [29:25] For context, I want to emphasize [29:27] that the acting attorney general began his paralegal [29:29] and prosecutorial career in an office [29:31] that was predominantly represented by AUSAs [29:34] with different political views. [29:36] What impressed me during my 16 years [29:38] with the U.S. attorney's office [29:39] was the unified commitment to the rule of law [29:43] irrespective of political affiliation. [29:45] I am absolutely convinced that if confirmed [29:48] as the attorney general, [29:49] acting attorney general Blanche [29:51] will carry forward that spirit [29:53] and unwavering commitment to the rule of law. [29:56] During the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, [29:59] the U.S. attorney's office [30:00] in the Southern District of New York [30:01] was located in the hot zone in New York City. [30:05] While we often hear the acting attorney general [30:07] speak of the extraordinary bravery [30:08] of first responders who run forward into harm's way, [30:11] he exuded that charge-forward spirit [30:13] during the challenging days following 9-11. [30:16] I have profound respect for his service [30:18] above self-spirit then, and it has only grown. [30:22] Moving forward to Deputy Attorney General Blanche's tenure [30:25] as the acting attorney general, [30:27] his outreach and engagement [30:28] with law enforcement nationwide [30:29] has been extraordinary. [30:32] Same can be said for his 24-7 staff. [30:35] In speaking with my fellow [30:36] National Law Enforcement Organization leaders, [30:39] it is clear that I have great respect [30:41] for the acting attorney general [30:42] and appreciate his commitment to backing the blue. [30:45] Acting attorney general Blanche [30:47] has demonstrated a strong commitment [30:48] to officer safety and ensuring [30:50] that all law enforcement officers [30:52] have the same protection under the law. [30:55] According to the FBI's recent annual report, [30:57] 90,000 law enforcement officers [30:59] were assaulted in 2025. [31:01] That represents a 10-year high. [31:04] Acting attorney general has made clear [31:05] that his department will stand by law enforcement [31:08] and support the prosecution of anyone [31:10] who assaults a law enforcement officer. [31:13] Civility does not work when it's one-sided. [31:16] He has earned the respect and admiration [31:18] of officers nationwide. [31:20] In terms of civility, [31:21] acting attorney general Blanche [31:22] has distinguished himself [31:23] during the substantial time he spent [31:25] with all the national law enforcement organizations [31:27] during National Police Week. [31:29] In particular, the time he spent [31:31] with the concerns of police survivors, [31:34] which are the survivors of our heroes [31:35] killed in the line of duty, [31:36] was heartfelt and riveting. [31:38] Much like his powerful support [31:40] for our angel families, [31:41] acting attorney general Blanche [31:43] is equally supportive [31:43] of the surviving family members [31:45] of our fallen heroes. [31:46] And I have no doubt he will continue that [31:48] as he prioritizes the safety of all Americans. [31:51] As the father of beautiful teenage daughter, [31:54] I worry about her safety every day. [31:56] I expect our government leaders [31:58] to do everything they can [31:59] to support a safe and just quality of life [32:01] for all our children. [32:03] That should be an unbreakable priority. [32:05] I sleep well knowing that my daughter's safety [32:07] and all Americans [32:08] are an unwavering priority [32:10] for acting attorney general Blanche [32:11] and his team. [32:13] Under his leadership [32:14] and through the dedication [32:15] of all law enforcement officers, [32:17] violent crime continues to be driven down. [32:19] We must sustain these powerful results [32:21] and we need acting attorney general Blanche [32:24] to be confirmed [32:24] as our nation's chief law enforcement officer. [32:27] Throughout my law enforcement career, [32:29] I wore and continue to wear a pendant [32:31] that has John 1513 inscribed. [32:34] Greater love hath no one than this [32:36] than to lay down one life for a friend. [32:38] I am absolutely convinced [32:39] that the acting attorney general, [32:41] acting attorney general Blanche, [32:43] will exude that spirit of the scripture [32:44] and do everything he can [32:46] to protect the safety of all Americans [32:48] by following the rule of law. [32:50] I therefore respect that the committee [32:52] set aside any political differences, [32:54] demonstrate its unwavering commitment [32:55] to both officer and public safety, [32:57] and vote to confirm [32:59] acting attorney general Blanche [33:01] as the next attorney general. [33:03] Thank you. [33:04] Thank you. [33:05] Ms. Boss, [33:07] first of all, [33:08] thank you for your courage coming forward. [33:12] You know how important it is [33:13] to have effective leadership [33:15] in pursuing justice. [33:18] I think you've answered my question [33:20] in your last two minutes [33:22] of your testimony, [33:23] but I'd like to give you an opportunity [33:25] to say it once again, [33:27] how you feel about Mr. Blanche [33:30] and the prospects [33:31] of his continued leadership [33:32] at the Justice Department. [33:37] Thank you, Chairman. [33:38] I feel like we have already seen [33:44] what has come out [33:46] of the Justice Department [33:47] as far as the prosecutions [33:50] of the drug trafficking, [33:53] the cartels. [33:55] He is following up the hard work [33:57] of the men and women [33:59] that are in the ICE agents' CBP, [34:04] and he's prosecuting [34:06] those dangerous criminals, [34:07] and that is making a difference. [34:10] Okay. [34:10] Thank you very much. [34:11] Now, Ms. Hoyer, [34:13] we know the Biden administration [34:16] was the most active [34:18] pardoning administration [34:21] in American history, [34:23] 4,000 total acts of clemency. [34:26] I think you were [34:29] the pardoned attorney [34:30] on January the 17th, 2025, [34:33] when President Biden [34:36] granted more communications [34:38] in a single day [34:39] than any prior president [34:41] had over that entire presidency. [34:44] Is that right? [34:46] I was the pardoned attorney [34:47] on that date, sir. [34:48] Okay. [34:49] Were you also the pardoned attorney [34:52] on December 23rd, 2024, [34:55] when President Biden commuted [34:58] 37 of 40 inmates [35:01] on federal desk row? [35:03] Yes, sir, I was. [35:04] Thank you for that. [35:07] So I want to bring up [35:10] some of these commutations. [35:14] Thomas Sanders, [35:16] who killed a 12-year-old girl, [35:19] Lexis Roberts. [35:20] He shot Lexis four times [35:23] and slid her throat [35:24] after the girl had witnessed [35:27] him murder her mother. [35:29] Did you object [35:31] to President Biden's [35:32] commuting his sentence? [35:34] Sir, I'm not able [35:35] to discuss the recommendations [35:37] that I made to the president [35:38] regarding acts of clemency. [35:42] Can you speak? [35:44] Did you turn your microphone on? [35:48] I believe it's on, sir. [35:49] You were the pardoned attorney. [35:52] Yeah. [35:53] I was, yes. [35:54] You recommended, [35:55] you didn't object [35:56] to the recommendation. [35:57] Sir, I'm not able [35:58] able to discuss [36:00] the recommendations [36:01] I provided to the president [36:02] about clemency matters, [36:04] which are considered [36:05] to be covered [36:06] by executive privilege. [36:08] Okay. [36:08] I want you to know [36:09] that I have read evidence [36:11] that you made [36:13] this recommendation. [36:14] So are you telling me [36:16] the evidence I read [36:17] that I'm wrong? [36:18] So did you make [36:19] the recommendation [36:20] or you don't want, [36:21] you're telling me [36:22] you can't talk about it? [36:24] Sir, just like Mr. Blanche [36:25] explained yesterday, [36:26] I'm not free [36:27] to discuss [36:28] the recommendations [36:29] that I provided [36:29] to the White House [36:30] because they are covered [36:32] by executive privilege. [36:34] You can't even tell me [36:36] if you contacted [36:37] the victim's family? [36:39] You can't say [36:40] yes or no to that? [36:42] Sir, I cannot talk [36:44] about the discussions [36:46] I had unless [36:46] the White House [36:47] chooses to waive [36:48] the executive privilege. [36:49] I would be happy [36:50] to come back [36:51] and speak with you [36:52] or other members [36:53] of this committee. [36:54] And I think [36:54] what I'm going to do [36:55] is I'm going to tell you [36:58] what I know. [36:59] So let's go to the [37:01] the case of [37:04] Jorge Avila Torres [37:06] who stabbed to death [37:08] eight-year-old Laura Hobbs [37:10] and nine-year-old [37:11] Crystal Tobias [37:14] who were riding [37:15] their bicycles [37:16] in a Chicago sunburb. [37:18] He had also sexually [37:20] assaulted at least [37:21] one of them. [37:23] And four years later, [37:24] he strangled to death [37:26] a 20-year-old [37:27] naval officer [37:28] Amanda Snell [37:29] in her barracks. [37:32] So you can't [37:33] talk about this, [37:34] but I have read [37:36] evidence that you [37:37] made this recommendation [37:38] and you can't even [37:41] tell me yes or no [37:42] whether you made [37:43] that recommendation. [37:44] Well, sir, [37:44] what I can tell you [37:45] is that President Biden [37:46] did commute [37:47] the sentences [37:48] of 37 individuals [37:50] who were on death row [37:51] to sentences [37:52] of life imprisonment. [37:53] And all of those [37:54] individuals will remain [37:55] incarcerated for the rest [37:57] of their lives [37:58] most likely [37:58] in maximum security [37:59] persons. [38:00] Well, we know [38:00] what the commentation [38:01] did, but the fact is [38:04] that they were [38:05] taken off death row. [38:07] Then we have the case [38:08] of Dylan Roof. [38:11] Shot up a church [38:13] in South Carolina. [38:14] That made national history [38:16] for a long period [38:17] of time in his trial. [38:19] He murdered nine [38:20] African Americans [38:21] in a racially [38:22] motivated attack. [38:24] and you're telling me [38:26] you can't talk [38:26] about that, [38:27] but I have read [38:29] evidence that you [38:29] made this recommendation [38:31] and since you [38:34] can't comment on it, [38:35] I'm just going to [38:36] have to tell you [38:37] that you made [38:38] that recommendation. [38:40] Robert Bowers [38:41] murdered 11 people [38:44] in Pittsburgh [38:44] Tree of Life [38:45] synagogue [38:46] in the deadliest [38:48] attack on a local [38:49] Jewish community [38:51] in American history. [38:53] And you're telling me [38:54] you can't talk about [38:55] the commutation [38:57] of Robert Bowers, [38:59] but I want to tell you [39:00] that I have read [39:01] evidence that you [39:02] made this recommendation [39:04] and then also [39:06] Johar Sarnaov [39:09] planted bombs [39:10] at the 2013 [39:12] Boston Marathon [39:14] killing three [39:15] and injuring hundreds [39:17] in an act of terrorism [39:19] and you're telling me [39:20] you can't talk about that, [39:22] but I want you to know [39:23] that I have read evidence [39:24] that you made [39:25] this recommendation [39:26] and it seems pretty, [39:30] I'm going to give you [39:31] a chance to react to it, [39:32] but it seems pretty obvious [39:34] that you were fired [39:35] because the current [39:36] Justice Department [39:37] leadership [39:38] disagreed with how [39:39] you handled [39:40] the pardons [39:41] last administration. [39:43] You want to respond? [39:45] Sir, regarding these cases, [39:46] these are absolutely [39:47] horrific cases [39:48] and every one [39:49] of the individuals [39:50] you mentioned [39:51] will remain incarcerated [39:52] for the rest of their lives, [39:54] most likely [39:54] in a maximum security [39:55] prison facility. [39:57] As far as the reasons [39:58] for my firing, [39:59] I've been in litigation [40:00] with the Justice Department [40:01] for over a year [40:03] about my firing, [40:04] which was plainly illegal [40:05] and Mr. Blanche's comments [40:07] in this room yesterday [40:09] are the first time [40:10] I have ever heard [40:11] the explanation [40:12] that I was fired [40:13] because of recommendations [40:14] I made [40:15] to the prior administration [40:17] about how to accomplish [40:18] their clemency objectives. [40:21] Mr. Blanche's [40:22] Justice Department [40:22] submitted a pleading [40:24] to the Merit Systems [40:25] Protection Board [40:26] that stated [40:27] that the facts [40:28] about my firing [40:29] were not in dispute. [40:31] The facts, [40:31] as I have been saying [40:32] for one year plus, [40:34] are that I was fired [40:35] within hours [40:36] of declining [40:37] to make a recommendation [40:38] that I believed [40:39] was very dangerous [40:40] and Mr. Blanche's [40:42] statement yesterday [40:43] that it was [40:44] for another reason, [40:45] materialized out of thin air [40:46] and has never been stated [40:48] before. [40:48] Mr. Ashcroft, [40:51] you served this nation [40:53] with distinction [40:53] during your tenure [40:54] as Attorney General. [40:56] You know what it takes [40:57] to do the job [40:58] and to do it well [40:59] based on Mr. Blanche's [41:01] leadership [41:02] of the Justice Department [41:04] during this administration. [41:06] Do you believe [41:06] he would serve [41:07] as an effective [41:08] and capable [41:09] Attorney General? [41:10] Well, I think [41:12] the statistics [41:13] and the history [41:14] tells the story here. [41:15] Thank you for the question. [41:16] but Todd Blanche [41:18] has a heritage [41:19] and history [41:20] of involvement [41:20] in the Justice Department [41:22] pursuing the rule of law [41:24] and enforcing [41:25] the rule of law [41:26] and that extended [41:27] from his time [41:28] as an assistant [41:32] in the office [41:32] when I was Attorney General [41:34] 25 years ago [41:35] to recent times [41:37] when his aggressive approach [41:39] in fighting crime [41:40] has actually [41:42] been a part [41:44] of the effort [41:45] that's driven down [41:46] violent crime [41:47] across the country [41:48] and particularly [41:49] in cases [41:49] where the department [41:51] has been welcomed [41:51] to assist [41:52] and work [41:53] with local officials. [41:55] In my home jurisdiction [41:56] in southwest Missouri [41:57] they had [41:57] Operation Spring Cleanup [42:00] and a number [42:01] of very important [42:03] prosecutions [42:04] were begun [42:05] at that time [42:06] and I think [42:07] it's a credit to him. [42:08] I have no doubt [42:09] that his commitment [42:11] to maintaining [42:12] the safety [42:12] and security [42:13] of Americans [42:14] and their rights [42:15] will be pursued [42:16] in the pursuit [42:18] of the rule of law [42:19] and within the bounds [42:20] of the Constitution [42:21] of the United States [42:22] which is the framing [42:24] that I think [42:24] every American expects [42:27] that the Constitution [42:28] and rule of law [42:29] of the United States [42:29] be followed [42:31] and defended. [42:32] Mr. Durbin. [42:34] I'm sorry. [42:35] Senator Durbin. [42:36] Thank you, [42:37] Mr. Chairman. [42:38] Ms. Boss, [42:40] it breaks my heart [42:40] to hear the story [42:41] of you and your [42:42] loss of your daughter [42:43] and I just [42:46] want to say [42:47] my heart goes out [42:48] to you [42:48] and to your husband [42:50] carrying on for her [42:52] with your granddaughter [42:53] is the greatest tribute [42:56] you can give her. [42:57] I'm sure [42:58] I'm sorry [43:00] you went through [43:00] this terrible tragedy. [43:02] I'm glad you're here [43:02] today to tell that story. [43:06] Ms. Benske, [43:08] it's hard to imagine [43:09] that this government [43:10] kept publishing [43:12] your personal information. [43:15] Did anyone notify them [43:16] of this breach [43:18] of privacy? [43:19] Yeah, [43:19] I mean, [43:20] we notified them [43:21] immediately [43:21] back in the first [43:23] document release [43:24] and even before [43:24] the document release [43:25] happened [43:26] after the Epstein Files [43:27] Transparency Act [43:28] passed, [43:29] like I said [43:30] in my testimony, [43:31] my lawyer teamed up [43:32] with other lawyers [43:33] and gave 350 names [43:35] and basically [43:36] every batch [43:38] that came forward [43:39] all the way [43:41] through basically [43:41] I believe it was April [43:42] but in the January [43:43] batch, [43:44] I was exposed. [43:47] So did this happen [43:48] to any of the others [43:49] who were present here? [43:50] Oh, yes. [43:51] I mean, [43:51] I think almost all. [43:53] Yeah. [43:54] Yes. [43:54] There were hundreds [43:55] of victims [43:56] that were outed [43:57] and Jane Doe's [43:59] and, you know, [44:00] I do want to speak [44:00] to just the damages [44:02] for a moment. [44:03] You know, [44:03] we've been receiving threats. [44:05] We've had loss of jobs. [44:06] We've had loss [44:06] of confidentiality [44:07] and privacy [44:08] but there's another piece here [44:11] and it's that [44:11] this idea of withholding information, [44:15] we're trying to get justice. [44:16] We have always been trying [44:17] to seek justice [44:18] and we're seeing, [44:19] if you just even look [44:20] at New Mexico right now, [44:22] that the AG, [44:24] the New Mexico AG [44:25] has attempted five times [44:26] to get the files [44:28] from Todd Blanch [44:30] and from this DOJ [44:31] and it's obstruction. [44:34] They are obstructing. [44:35] So for us, [44:36] yes, [44:37] of course, [44:37] there are so many damages. [44:39] There are so many things [44:40] that we are mourning [44:41] the loss of [44:42] including a lot [44:43] of our innocence [44:43] and who we were [44:45] as these young girls [44:46] but to still see it [44:49] be obstructed [44:50] after 30 years [44:51] and this is five administrations. [44:53] We're not saying [44:53] that this is just [44:54] this administration. [44:55] We've been at this fight [44:56] for 30 years. [44:59] So we just really hope [45:01] that there's a huge impact [45:03] as far as just releasing information [45:06] and making sure [45:07] that it's followed up on. [45:08] I can't understand [45:09] how this attorney general [45:10] can find 48 hours [45:11] to visit with Ghislaine Maxwell [45:13] who has been prosecuted [45:16] for sex trafficking [45:18] and can't find 30 minutes [45:20] to meet with the survivors [45:23] of that sexual predatory conduct. [45:27] It's certainly not [45:28] for lack of trying. [45:29] We have tried [45:29] in every way we know how to. [45:31] try. [45:33] And then we did hear [45:34] from him yesterday [45:34] that he would sit with counsel [45:35] and I would say [45:37] I think many of us [45:38] in this room [45:38] would be interested [45:39] in meeting with him today [45:40] if we could. [45:42] Many of the members [45:43] of the committee [45:43] will remember [45:44] when we had [45:45] the Olympic athletes [45:46] in here [45:47] who had been sexually abused [45:49] and the head of the FBI [45:52] the head of the FBI [45:54] sat through [45:54] their entire testimony [45:55] to show his concern [45:58] for what had happened [45:58] to them [45:59] and any wrongdoing [46:00] and any wrongdoing [46:00] by the Federal Bureau [46:01] of Investigation. [46:03] That to me [46:03] was the right thing [46:04] to do [46:05] from both sides. [46:07] Why in the world [46:08] would Mr. Blanche [46:10] at this point [46:10] say he doesn't have the time? [46:12] I couldn't understand [46:13] his argument yesterday. [46:14] He couldn't see you [46:15] because you had a lawyer [46:16] or he couldn't see you [46:17] because you didn't have a lawyer. [46:18] Yeah, I think it was [46:19] because we had a lawyer [46:20] but you know [46:21] I think [46:22] as a career prosecutor [46:23] we talk so much [46:24] about Todd Blanche's credentials [46:25] in this room [46:26] and we've heard a lot [46:26] about them [46:27] and that's great [46:30] but I think [46:31] as a career prosecutor [46:32] he should be salivating [46:34] by this case, right? [46:35] This case is [46:36] it's gold for somebody [46:38] that wants to prosecute. [46:39] There are six million files [46:41] there are thousands of victims [46:42] and yet all we've seen [46:43] is one perpetrator [46:45] that died in prison [46:46] the other perpetrator [46:47] is now in a minimum [46:48] security penitentiary [46:50] and Todd Blanche believes [46:51] that there are zero investigations [46:52] when he's already been told [46:54] by members of the House [46:55] that that is inaccurate. [46:56] I'll just tell you [46:57] point blank [46:58] I don't think his name [46:59] should be called [46:59] on the floor [47:00] of the United States Senate [47:01] until he meets with you. [47:02] Yeah, I agree. [47:03] It's not too much to ask. [47:05] Set aside two hours [47:06] four hours [47:07] whatever it takes [47:07] so that there is [47:09] clearly an effort [47:11] by this government [47:11] to get all the information [47:13] Yes [47:13] and make a judgment [47:15] as to what to do with it [47:16] but to shun you [47:17] and to snub you [47:19] at this point [47:19] there's something else [47:21] going on here [47:22] there's got to be [47:22] someone told me once [47:24] in politics [47:24] there's always a good reason [47:25] and then there's always [47:26] a real reason [47:27] what is the real reason [47:29] why Todd Blanche [47:30] does not want to meet [47:31] with the survivors [47:33] of Jeffrey Epstein? [47:35] It appears from the outside [47:36] reputational harm [47:37] and that is what I think [47:38] is at the core of this [47:39] that he prioritizes [47:42] the reputation [47:42] of the administration [47:44] over survivors [47:46] of sexual abuse [47:47] and of crime survivors [47:48] in this country. [47:50] Well, I hope the message [47:51] goes out to all senators [47:52] on both sides of the table. [47:54] And I do want to say [47:55] to that end [47:56] we are not [47:57] we've been saying [47:58] that we're not political [47:58] I've asked everyone [47:59] we've met with a lot [48:00] of your offices [48:01] on both sides [48:02] and every single conversation [48:03] Mr. Hawley [48:04] we had a great conversation [48:06] with your office [48:07] right? [48:07] It was amazing [48:08] and I feel so much hope [48:09] leaving those spaces [48:10] actually [48:11] and when we had [48:13] those conversations [48:14] it just felt like [48:14] you see us as human beings [48:16] you don't see us [48:17] like we have survivors [48:18] on both sides of the aisle [48:19] we are not here [48:20] to be political [48:21] these are just our stories [48:22] like 17 year old me [48:23] I promise you [48:24] not political [48:24] but so when we have [48:26] these very real interactions [48:28] in your offices [48:29] we hope that you can [48:30] put politics aside [48:31] it was something [48:32] so beautiful [48:33] that we saw [48:34] during the FC Files [48:34] Transparency Act [48:35] there was a moment [48:36] where Marjorie Taylor Greene [48:37] went and sat [48:38] right next to Melanie Stansbury [48:39] and that is a moment [48:40] that will live [48:41] in my memory forever [48:42] because they cross [48:43] party lines [48:44] for something [48:44] that was really important [48:45] so I hope that [48:46] you can all do that. [48:48] Thank you Mr. Chairman [48:48] Senator Hawley [48:50] Thank you Mr. Chairman [48:52] just on that note [48:52] Ms. Binsky [48:53] and for everybody [48:54] who's here [48:55] all of the victims [48:55] thank you for being here [48:56] thank you for standing up [48:58] and telling your stories [48:59] Ms. Boss [48:59] thank you for being here [49:01] and for telling us [49:02] about your daughter [49:02] I'm sorry for what [49:03] all of you have been through [49:04] so I want to say thank you [49:06] and honor your voices [49:06] and honor what you're doing [49:07] Ms. Orya [49:08] if I could just turn to you [49:09] you were President Biden's [49:11] pardon attorney [49:12] is that correct? [49:13] I was the Justice Department's [49:15] pardon attorney [49:16] You recommended [49:16] you made clemency [49:17] recommendations to the White House [49:18] whether or not to pardon [49:19] inmates [49:20] is that correct? [49:21] My job was to make [49:22] clemency recommendations [49:23] And in that capacity [49:25] you recommended [49:26] that the President [49:27] of the United States [49:27] Joe Biden [49:28] grant clemency [49:29] to all 40 [49:31] federal death row inmates [49:32] all of them [49:33] clear them out [49:34] correct? [49:35] Sir as I told [49:36] Chairman Grassley [49:37] I'm not free [49:38] to discuss [49:39] the recommendations [49:39] Well that's what [49:40] your memo says [49:41] I mean we have [49:42] your memo [49:42] your memo [49:43] of November 4th [49:45] 2024 [49:45] says and I quote [49:47] disparity [49:47] and undue severity [49:49] of sentence [49:49] which are present [49:51] in many if not all [49:52] of these cases [49:52] have been recognized [49:53] as grounds for clemency [49:55] and you went on [49:56] to recommend [49:56] in that memo [49:57] and a series of other memos [49:59] that are now recorded [50:00] and public record [50:01] that the President [50:02] of the United States [50:03] grant clemency [50:04] to murderers [50:05] rapists [50:05] and the most horrible offenders [50:07] all of them [50:07] clear death row [50:08] completely out [50:09] I'm amazed [50:10] you've been called here today [50:11] I'm absolutely amazed by it [50:13] but let's just talk [50:14] about the people [50:14] who you recommended [50:15] you talk about [50:16] honoring victims [50:16] the people [50:17] who you recommended [50:18] get clemency [50:20] and live at the [50:20] expense and sufferance [50:22] of taxpayers [50:22] for the rest of their lives [50:23] let's start with [50:25] Dylan Roof [50:25] Dylan was a neo-Nazi [50:27] who murdered [50:29] nine African-American [50:31] worshipers [50:32] at a Bible study [50:33] in Charleston [50:34] South Carolina [50:35] 2015 [50:36] do you remember this case? [50:37] I do remember it very well [50:38] I would hope you did [50:39] here's his victims [50:40] you want to look at them? [50:41] There they are [50:42] nine of them [50:43] at a Bible study [50:44] in a church [50:46] killed in cold blood [50:48] the DOJ knew [50:50] from day one [50:51] that he had decided [50:52] I'm going to quote [50:53] from the prosecutors [50:53] decided to attack [50:55] African-Americans [50:55] because of their race [50:57] he further decided [50:58] to attack [50:59] African-American [50:59] worshipers [51:00] in a black church [51:01] in order to make [51:02] his attack [51:03] more notorious [51:05] more notorious [51:06] and yet you recommended [51:08] that he be granted [51:10] clemency [51:10] live at the expense [51:11] of taxpayers [51:12] for the rest of his life [51:13] substitute your judgment [51:14] for that of the [51:15] American judicial system [51:16] do you stand by [51:16] that recommendation [51:17] today? [51:18] Sir I'm not going [51:19] to comment [51:19] on the recommendations [51:20] that I made [51:21] but I can tell you [51:22] that Mr. Roof [51:22] is going to die [51:23] in prison [51:24] as [51:24] oh he's going [51:25] to live in prison [51:26] for a very long time [51:27] because of you [51:28] because of your [51:29] recommendations [51:29] and here's what you said [51:30] in your memo [51:31] of October 30th [51:32] 2024 [51:32] you said that actually [51:34] Roof is not a compelling [51:35] candidate for clemency [51:36] but you recommended [51:37] it anyway [51:37] why? [51:38] because he suffered [51:39] from anxiety [51:40] you said [51:40] right? [51:42] he suffered [51:42] from anxiety [51:44] did it ever occur [51:45] to you that maybe [51:46] the family of his victims [51:48] might suffer a little bit [51:49] of anxiety [51:50] because he marched [51:51] into their church [51:52] and murdered them [51:53] in cold blood [51:53] because he was [51:54] an incredible racist [51:55] and he wanted [51:56] to get on TV [51:57] sir [51:58] do you regret it? [51:59] I'm not going [52:00] to comment on the [52:01] recommendations [52:01] that I made [52:02] to the president [52:03] let's talk about [52:03] Robert Bowers [52:04] a man who regularly [52:05] spewed such vile [52:07] hatred of Jews [52:08] it's unlike anything [52:09] I've ever seen [52:09] he barged into [52:10] a Pittsburgh synagogue [52:11] in 2018 [52:12] and he shot [52:13] everybody he could [52:14] find [52:15] killing 11 [52:16] innocent people [52:18] who were there [52:19] to worship [52:20] a federal jury [52:21] in Pittsburgh [52:21] unanimously recommended [52:23] the death sentence [52:24] after finding him [52:24] guilty on 63 counts [52:27] here they are [52:28] they're his victims [52:30] take a good look [52:32] you recommended [52:34] clemency [52:35] for this person [52:36] who went in [52:37] and killed these people [52:39] just because they're Jews [52:40] he killed [52:41] the other guy [52:42] killed people [52:43] just because they're black [52:43] this guy killed people [52:45] just because they're Jews [52:46] a jury recommended [52:47] that he be sentenced [52:48] to death [52:48] and you substituted [52:49] your judgment [52:50] for theirs [52:50] and now he's going [52:52] to live [52:52] are you proud of that [52:54] sir what I am proud of [52:57] is the fact that [52:58] I took my job [52:59] as pardon attorney [53:00] extremely seriously [53:01] apparently not seriously [53:03] enough [53:03] you certainly didn't [53:04] take the victims [53:04] seriously [53:05] then there's [53:05] Jorge Avila Torres [53:06] who wasn't just [53:08] a murderer [53:08] he was a silly [53:10] serial killer [53:11] and a rapist [53:12] here is who [53:13] he assaulted [53:14] and killed [53:15] he sexually assaulted [53:17] and killed [53:17] eight-year-old [53:18] Laura Hobbs [53:19] and nine-year-old [53:21] Crystal Tobias [53:22] in a Chicago suburb [53:24] in 2005 [53:25] and then four years [53:27] after that [53:28] he committed [53:28] another murder [53:29] he slaughtered [53:30] a fellow service member [53:32] Navy Petty Officer [53:33] Amanda Snell [53:34] in 2009 [53:35] while she was [53:35] in her barracks [53:36] that's what he did [53:38] and he recommended [53:40] clemency [53:40] for this individual [53:42] and now he'll live [53:43] his life [53:44] at the expense [53:45] of taxpayers [53:46] because you substituted [53:48] your judgment [53:48] for that [53:50] of the American [53:51] judicial system [53:51] jury judges [53:52] the whole lot [53:53] and yet you're here [53:54] to tell us [53:55] that you're somehow [53:56] a victim [53:56] I don't think so [53:58] Ms. Oyer [53:58] I think your judgment [53:59] is astoundingly [54:01] terrible [54:02] I'm amazed [54:03] that this side [54:04] of the aisle [54:04] has called you [54:05] and I just ask [54:05] my friends [54:06] on this side [54:06] of the aisle [54:06] do you agree [54:07] with this [54:08] is this what you want [54:10] do you want [54:11] these people [54:12] to be pardoned [54:13] and live [54:13] at the expense [54:14] of taxpayers [54:15] for their whole lives [54:16] do you want [54:16] to excuse [54:17] the murders [54:18] of African American [54:19] church goers [54:20] do you want [54:20] to excuse [54:21] the murders [54:21] of Jews [54:23] in their synagogues [54:23] do you want [54:24] to excuse [54:24] the murders [54:25] of these children [54:25] because that's [54:27] what she did [54:27] and now she's [54:28] online hawking [54:29] products to try [54:30] to make money [54:31] off of it [54:31] I see you've [54:32] got your own [54:32] website [54:32] where you put [54:33] your face [54:34] on baseball caps [54:36] and mugs [54:37] thelawyeroyer.com [54:39] you're trying [54:39] to make money [54:40] on this [54:40] this is unbelievable [54:42] Ms. Oyer [54:43] and yet you say [54:44] you're a victim [54:45] these are the victims [54:47] and you helped [54:49] victimize them [54:50] and what you're [54:51] doing is wrong [54:52] I hope every member [54:52] on this side [54:53] of the aisle [54:53] will repudiate [54:54] what you have done [54:55] and what you stand [54:56] for [54:56] thank you Mr. Chairman [54:57] sir I assume [54:58] that your questions [54:59] directed at me [55:00] were rhetorical [55:01] and that you're [55:02] giving [55:02] they're not rhetorical [55:02] at all [55:03] I asked you to respond [55:04] and you said [55:05] you wouldn't [55:05] so what I did [55:06] is I read to you [55:07] what you have said [55:08] I quoted verbatim [55:10] and I'm happy [55:11] to keep doing it [55:12] in fact I'd ask [55:12] now Mr. Chairman [55:13] that this report [55:14] restoring and strengthening [55:15] the federal death penalty [55:16] report [55:16] be entered into the record [55:18] it contains information [55:19] regarding Ms. Oyer [55:20] her recommendations [55:21] and the track record [55:23] of all of it [55:23] the written records [55:24] are here [55:24] I ask to be entered [55:25] into the record [55:26] it'll be [55:27] Ms. Oyer [55:28] take a minute [55:31] to respond [55:32] if you want to [55:34] thank you [55:36] Chairman Grassley [55:37] I [55:38] under President Biden [55:40] just like under [55:40] President Trump [55:41] had a job to do [55:42] which was to make [55:43] recommendations [55:44] to the president [55:44] about how to best [55:45] accomplish their [55:46] clemency objectives [55:47] I put the utmost effort [55:50] into doing that [55:51] in a way that was [55:52] consistent with the [55:53] interests of the [55:53] justice system [55:54] and all of its [55:55] stakeholders [55:56] which includes [55:57] crime victims [55:58] as well as defendants [55:59] as well as family members [56:01] as well as judges [56:02] as well as prosecutors [56:05] all criminal justice [56:06] system stakeholders [56:07] the process [56:08] that I presided over [56:09] was one that was [56:11] beyond reproach [56:12] what's happening [56:13] now with clemency [56:14] is an absolute [56:15] disgrace [56:15] and I'm sorry [56:17] that I can't [56:17] answer the questions [56:18] about the specific [56:19] recommendations [56:19] in this public [56:20] setting [56:21] but I would be [56:21] glad to meet [56:22] with any members [56:23] of this committee [56:24] who have concerns [56:25] privately [56:25] to discuss [56:26] to the extent [56:27] I can [56:27] what your [56:28] concerns are [56:28] why don't you [56:28] meet with [56:29] the victims [56:29] families [56:30] here's the [56:30] disgrace [56:31] Senator Whitehouse [56:32] thank you [56:36] Chairman [56:37] Mr. Ashcroft [56:40] welcome back [56:41] to the Senate [56:42] you knew [56:45] Jim Comey [56:46] yes indeed [56:50] I did [56:51] you trusted him [56:52] he was [56:54] the deputy [56:54] attorney general [56:55] as well as [56:56] the U.S. attorney [56:57] for the southern [56:58] district of New York [56:59] you trusted him [57:00] with the top job [57:02] in your department [57:03] I asked him [57:03] to help administer [57:04] justice at the [57:05] department of justice [57:06] you respected him [57:07] yes I did [57:09] do you have [57:11] can you vouch [57:13] for this department's [57:15] prosecution [57:15] of him [57:17] for lying [57:18] to congress [57:19] or for [57:20] the process [57:22] that was performed [57:24] I'm not in a [57:26] position [57:26] I don't know [57:28] all the facts [57:28] I'm not in a [57:29] position to [57:30] comment on [57:31] pending [57:32] investigations [57:33] or prosecutions [57:34] can you [57:35] vouch for [57:37] this department's [57:38] prosecution [57:39] of him [57:39] for [57:40] posting a [57:41] picture [57:42] of the numbers [57:44] 8-6-4-7 [57:45] or the process [57:47] that led [57:48] to that [57:49] my response [57:50] would certainly [57:50] have to be [57:51] the same [57:51] as it is [57:51] for any [57:52] prosecution [57:53] I'm not [57:54] a part [57:54] of the [57:54] department [57:55] now [57:55] I'm not [57:55] fully [57:56] informed [57:57] of its [57:57] factual [57:58] basis [57:58] or for [57:59] the [57:59] considerations [58:00] it's [58:00] made [58:01] in bringing [58:02] prosecutions [58:04] what are [58:06] your views [58:06] today [58:07] of Mr. [58:09] Comey's [58:09] character [58:10] and merits [58:11] I'm not [58:16] I'm not [58:17] going to [58:18] start to [58:19] discuss [58:20] the character [58:20] and merits [58:21] of individuals [58:22] especially [58:23] those who [58:23] are standing [58:24] in a position [58:26] of responding [58:27] to charges [58:28] from the [58:28] Justice Department [58:29] I can [58:30] respond to [58:31] what I [58:31] believed [58:32] during the [58:33] time I [58:33] served as [58:34] Attorney General [58:35] and when he [58:35] served with [58:36] me and [58:37] his service [58:38] to me and [58:38] I believe [58:39] to the United [58:39] States at [58:40] that time [58:40] was commendable [58:41] and honorable [58:42] what is [58:44] OPR [58:45] in the [58:48] Department of [58:48] Justice [58:48] I believe [58:50] it's [58:50] Office of [58:51] Professional [58:51] Responsibility [58:52] and what is [58:53] its role [58:54] its role [58:57] is to [58:57] encourage [58:58] individuals [58:59] in the [58:59] Department [59:00] to act [59:01] in compliance [59:03] with and [59:04] in conformity [59:07] with the [59:08] rules of [59:08] ethics and [59:09] responsibility [59:09] and did you [59:11] respect the [59:11] role of the [59:12] Office of [59:12] Professional [59:12] Responsibility [59:13] when you [59:13] were Attorney [59:14] General [59:14] I certainly [59:16] did [59:17] I hope [59:18] that they [59:18] would advise [59:19] me properly [59:20] to keep [59:20] me out [59:21] of trouble [59:21] if the [59:23] Office of [59:25] Professional [59:25] Responsibility [59:26] were functionally [59:27] disabled [59:28] by an [59:31] administration [59:32] in the [59:32] Department [59:32] of Justice [59:33] what message [59:34] would that [59:35] send to [59:35] the line [59:36] prosecutors [59:37] I'm not [59:39] in a [59:40] position to [59:40] comment on [59:41] a hypothetical [59:43] of disabling [59:44] and when you [59:45] say functionally [59:46] disabled [59:47] I think that [59:47] requires [59:48] an assumption [59:51] of what [59:54] does [59:54] functionally [59:55] disabled [59:55] mean [59:56] I personally [59:58] it's a [1:00:00] hypothetical [1:00:01] to which [1:00:01] I just [1:00:01] am unable [1:00:02] to respond [1:00:03] but you [1:00:03] do agree [1:00:04] that OPR [1:00:04] does an [1:00:05] important [1:00:05] job [1:00:06] and has [1:00:06] an [1:00:06] important [1:00:07] role [1:00:07] and is [1:00:08] important [1:00:08] to the [1:00:09] Department [1:00:09] of Justice [1:00:10] in the [1:00:10] performance [1:00:10] of its [1:00:11] duties [1:00:11] I [1:00:12] certainly [1:00:13] respected [1:00:14] the [1:00:14] Department's [1:00:15] operation [1:00:16] including [1:00:17] OPR [1:00:18] at the [1:00:18] time of [1:00:19] my [1:00:19] opportunity [1:00:20] to serve [1:00:20] as Attorney [1:00:21] General [1:00:21] of the [1:00:21] United States [1:00:22] While you [1:00:24] were Attorney [1:00:25] General [1:00:25] were there [1:00:26] procedures [1:00:27] that took [1:00:28] place [1:00:29] when [1:00:30] judicial [1:00:31] findings [1:00:32] of [1:00:33] prosecutorial [1:00:34] misconduct [1:00:35] or dishonesty [1:00:37] occurred [1:00:39] I don't [1:00:41] I have to [1:00:42] say I don't [1:00:42] remember [1:00:43] charges of [1:00:45] prosecutorial [1:00:46] misconduct [1:00:47] that I dealt [1:00:48] with [1:00:49] Yeah they were [1:00:49] pretty scarce [1:00:50] until now [1:00:51] it was pretty [1:00:53] unusual to have [1:00:54] judges say [1:00:55] that arguments [1:00:56] were made [1:00:57] in bad [1:00:57] faith [1:00:58] that arguments [1:00:59] were made [1:01:00] as pretexts [1:01:02] that arguments [1:01:02] were disingenuous [1:01:04] that arguments [1:01:05] were shoddy [1:01:06] or terrible [1:01:07] that the [1:01:08] department [1:01:09] was losing [1:01:10] or sacrificing [1:01:10] its credibility [1:01:11] that the [1:01:13] department [1:01:13] was disrespecting [1:01:14] orders of the [1:01:15] court [1:01:15] that the [1:01:16] department [1:01:16] had lied [1:01:17] or was engaged [1:01:19] in sham [1:01:20] that there was [1:01:21] willful and [1:01:22] intentional [1:01:23] noncompliance [1:01:23] or willful [1:01:24] disregard [1:01:24] of court [1:01:25] orders [1:01:25] that department [1:01:27] lawyers were [1:01:27] contemptuous [1:01:28] or that their [1:01:28] behavior and [1:01:29] arguments were [1:01:30] unconscionable [1:01:31] to me those [1:01:32] are red flag [1:01:33] words [1:01:33] I was a United [1:01:34] States attorney [1:01:35] and if my [1:01:36] federal court [1:01:37] had used those [1:01:38] words about my [1:01:39] line attorneys [1:01:40] there would have [1:01:42] been some [1:01:42] follow-up [1:01:43] and I expect [1:01:45] that in your [1:01:45] department if those [1:01:47] kind of words [1:01:48] were used [1:01:48] there'd at least [1:01:49] be some [1:01:50] preliminary follow-up [1:01:52] and if it were [1:01:52] serious there might [1:01:54] actually be a review [1:01:55] by the office of [1:01:56] professional [1:01:56] responsibility [1:01:57] does that sound [1:01:58] like what likely [1:01:59] would have happened [1:02:00] during your day [1:02:00] I was only [1:02:04] admonished at one [1:02:05] time that I [1:02:05] remember by a [1:02:06] court for having [1:02:07] commented on [1:02:08] evidence I thought [1:02:10] it was pretty good [1:02:11] evidence I think I [1:02:11] just said pretty [1:02:12] good evidence and [1:02:13] yeah I didn't mean [1:02:14] you I meant I meant [1:02:15] your line [1:02:15] at that time I [1:02:16] I decided that I [1:02:19] needed to be more [1:02:19] careful about my [1:02:20] remarks [1:02:21] yeah no my [1:02:22] question [1:02:22] my remarks I [1:02:23] were safeguarded [1:02:25] and and [1:02:26] and carefully [1:02:27] made [1:02:27] yeah [1:02:27] and and frankly [1:02:29] I might add more [1:02:29] carefully made than [1:02:30] the remarks of some [1:02:31] of the judicial [1:02:32] officers who have [1:02:33] been [1:02:33] who while very [1:02:36] concerned about the [1:02:37] justice department [1:02:38] seem to be [1:02:39] willing to [1:02:41] themselves engage [1:02:42] in political [1:02:43] considerations which I [1:02:44] didn't think [1:02:45] were appropriate for [1:02:46] the judiciary so [1:02:47] maybe there's a [1:02:48] problem that's [1:02:48] broader than [1:02:49] than we would [1:02:51] otherwise recognize [1:02:53] well you've changed [1:02:53] the topic a little [1:02:54] bit to your own [1:02:56] comments and the [1:02:57] response to that [1:02:58] which is fine I [1:02:59] appreciate that you've [1:03:00] said that but my [1:03:01] question had to do [1:03:02] with when criticisms [1:03:04] like that are leveled [1:03:06] against department [1:03:06] lawyers there is [1:03:08] ordinarily some kind [1:03:09] of a process or [1:03:10] review that takes [1:03:12] place they're not [1:03:13] just brushed off [1:03:14] that is correct is it [1:03:15] not yeah it's [1:03:18] certainly the reason [1:03:19] that the office of [1:03:20] professional [1:03:20] responsibility exists [1:03:22] to safeguard against [1:03:24] things that are not [1:03:25] responsibly done or [1:03:26] or undertaken in a [1:03:28] way that discredits [1:03:29] the department [1:03:30] public confidence in [1:03:32] the department is very [1:03:33] important indeed [1:03:34] and it and the rule [1:03:36] of law guided by the [1:03:38] constitution is at the [1:03:40] foundation of our [1:03:41] safeguarding liberties [1:03:42] and I I take that [1:03:44] seriously I believe [1:03:45] that with all my heart [1:03:46] when I served and I [1:03:47] believe it today [1:03:48] thank you sir [1:03:49] senator schmidt [1:03:50] thank you mr [1:03:51] chairman first and [1:03:52] most importantly I [1:03:54] want to thank all the [1:03:55] victims who are here [1:03:56] for your courage to [1:03:57] come forward it's not [1:03:58] easy to do to relive [1:04:00] everything so thank you [1:04:02] for for being here and [1:04:03] telling your stories [1:04:03] miss Oyer I want to I [1:04:05] want to turn to you [1:04:05] you were Biden's [1:04:07] part of an attorney in [1:04:08] your town make sure [1:04:09] you're I'm clear your [1:04:10] testimony here today is [1:04:12] that you were fired [1:04:13] because you wouldn't [1:04:14] recommend restoring Mel [1:04:16] Gibson's gun rights is [1:04:17] that right I was fired [1:04:19] just hours after I [1:04:21] declined to make that [1:04:21] okay you can't think of [1:04:22] another reason why you [1:04:23] might have been fired [1:04:24] that's the only [1:04:25] explanation that I am [1:04:26] aware of the Justice [1:04:28] Department actually put [1:04:29] in a pleading that was [1:04:30] submitted in my appeal of [1:04:32] my firing the fact that [1:04:33] the facts of my firing [1:04:34] okay on November and you [1:04:36] talked about you you're [1:04:39] concerned about public [1:04:40] safety on November 4th [1:04:41] 2024 you author authored a [1:04:43] 73 page memorandum [1:04:44] recommending the [1:04:45] commutation of all 40 [1:04:47] federal death sentences [1:04:48] isn't that correct [1:04:49] well as I've told to [1:04:51] yeah I know I know [1:04:52] but don't play the game [1:04:53] with me because it's [1:04:55] not they've waived [1:04:56] executive privilege I [1:04:57] have the report right [1:04:58] here it's dated April [1:04:59] 24th 2026 it's actually [1:05:03] your memo is quoted in [1:05:04] here it's it's public [1:05:06] knowledge and the idea [1:05:07] that you would come here [1:05:09] you know that already you [1:05:10] would come here and [1:05:11] disparage somebody else and [1:05:13] not be willing to answer [1:05:14] questions about how you [1:05:15] commuted the sentences of [1:05:17] murderers is ridiculous I [1:05:19] can't believe you're here [1:05:20] to do that I don't have [1:05:20] the authority to commute [1:05:21] do you deny it do you [1:05:23] deny that you authored the [1:05:24] memo I'm not sure which [1:05:26] memo you're referring to [1:05:27] I'm referring to the [1:05:28] November 4th 2024 73 page [1:05:31] memo do you deny [1:05:33] authoring it I can't say [1:05:35] without having it's [1:05:35] ridiculous I honestly I [1:05:37] can't believe you did you [1:05:38] did and everybody in [1:05:40] America and in the world [1:05:41] can pull it up so it's a [1:05:43] ridiculous like a do you [1:05:44] also like a document that [1:05:45] has DOJ's logo on the [1:05:47] yeah and it quotes your [1:05:48] letter it quotes your [1:05:49] letter I don't know you're [1:05:51] you're losing credit you [1:05:52] should just admit it you [1:05:53] should just admit you [1:05:54] authored everybody knows you [1:05:55] authored it so I'm not [1:05:56] going to waste any more [1:05:57] time on on your your [1:05:58] convenient little game [1:06:00] you're playing here you [1:06:01] also authored and [1:06:02] recommended the [1:06:03] commutation of the Boston [1:06:04] Marathon bomber the tree of [1:06:06] life synagogue murderer and [1:06:07] Dylan roof we all know [1:06:09] this how many pages of the [1:06:11] 73 pages did you dedicate to [1:06:13] victims because you [1:06:14] expressed your concern over [1:06:15] victims how many pages were [1:06:16] dedicated to the victims [1:06:17] sir I don't have the memo [1:06:20] I can tell you three three [1:06:22] pages three pages were [1:06:24] dedicated to the victims so [1:06:27] I also happen to have I [1:06:29] made a special access [1:06:30] request last year under the [1:06:33] presidential records act for [1:06:34] documents from the Biden [1:06:35] White House on the abuse of [1:06:37] pardons and commutations we [1:06:38] recently got those documents I [1:06:40] want to show you a couple [1:06:40] here's one it's dated [1:06:42] December 3rd 2024 and it's an [1:06:45] internal memo memo on the [1:06:46] commutation of the 37 death [1:06:48] sentences that you were [1:06:49] involved with the memorandum [1:06:51] states that the White House [1:06:52] worked with reporters to quote [1:06:53] ensure positive coverage it [1:06:56] says the White House gave [1:06:57] advocates the elected [1:06:58] officials resources and key [1:07:00] messaging to amplify the news [1:07:02] you personally recommended [1:07:03] commuting commuting all 40 [1:07:06] death sentence cases and even [1:07:08] broader action than Biden [1:07:10] took again that included [1:07:12] Dylann Roof the Boston [1:07:13] Marathon bomber the tree of [1:07:15] life synagogue shooter did you [1:07:17] know that the White House was [1:07:18] using recommendations as a PR [1:07:19] stunt sir I have no idea what [1:07:22] document you're referring to [1:07:24] currently well let me just ask [1:07:25] you general did you know that [1:07:26] they were planning to message [1:07:28] around your commutation sir I was [1:07:30] not an employee of the White [1:07:31] House I'll take that as a no I'll [1:07:34] take that as a no but they use [1:07:35] your ridiculous recommendation to [1:07:38] as a veneer of legitimacy document [1:07:40] to I was called here to talk [1:07:42] about Mr. Blanche's nomination [1:07:44] yeah I know that's what you [1:07:45] thought you were came here to [1:07:46] talk about but the reality is [1:07:48] your credibility is gone you [1:07:50] can't come here and do the [1:07:53] political bidding of the Biden [1:07:54] administration and then when [1:07:57] you're called out on that and [1:07:58] being fired and thank God you're [1:08:00] being fired you know what I [1:08:01] really think I think you thought [1:08:03] you came here and you had you're [1:08:04] selling merch by the way do we [1:08:06] have the hoodies that are up for [1:08:07] sale you sell merch let's throw [1:08:09] the hoodies I think you came here [1:08:11] thinking that you were going to be [1:08:13] ordained the high priestess of the [1:08:17] resistance that's what I think [1:08:18] that's why you're denying simple [1:08:20] facts that you authored the memo [1:08:22] commuting the sentences everyone [1:08:24] knows that and we have documents [1:08:27] now from the White House that they [1:08:29] use that memo as a PR stunt and so [1:08:33] the idea you have no credibility to [1:08:34] talk about Todd Blanche you've none [1:08:36] you've come here you deny basic facts [1:08:39] you you recommended the commutation of [1:08:42] murderers you gave no quarter at all [1:08:45] or any time to the victims of these [1:08:48] brutal murders so again I can't [1:08:51] believe you've been called here by the [1:08:53] other side but I'm glad we've had an [1:08:55] opportunity to expose your hypocrisy [1:08:57] thank you Mr. Chairman [1:08:58] Senator Arano [1:08:59] thank you Mr. Chairman I thank all the [1:09:04] witnesses for being here as a [1:09:08] continuation of the confirmation process [1:09:11] for Mr. Blanche we are here to determine [1:09:15] whether or not Mr. Blanche who continues [1:09:18] to be President Trump's lawyer and all [1:09:22] that that implies should be the Attorney [1:09:26] General of the United States of America [1:09:28] who is supposed to be defending the [1:09:31] Constitution not the President [1:09:33] Ms. Benske thank you so much for being [1:09:36] here and for all of the other Epstein [1:09:39] victims Mr. Blanche was asked whether he [1:09:45] would meet with you and because we knew [1:09:49] that he had refused basically to meet with [1:09:51] the victims of the Epstein crimes and he [1:09:55] offered apparently yesterday and he made [1:09:56] some excuses about it not being [1:09:59] appropriate for him to meet with the [1:10:02] victims directly why I do not know but he [1:10:06] offered up a staff person and I understand [1:10:09] that a staff person from his office [1:10:11] contacted you you and others and offered [1:10:16] to meet with your counsel that's is that [1:10:20] correct not with you directly I am not [1:10:22] aware of a staffer reaching out we I don't [1:10:25] I can ask but we have not heard from a staffer [1:10:29] no we have not heard from a staffer in the last [1:10:31] okay let's get that clarified I did I [1:10:35] misunderstand that in fact yesterday when he [1:10:39] said I have a staff person here and we can [1:10:42] get this done today yeah that they did they [1:10:45] have not contacted you have not contacted us [1:10:47] now he also said that it would not be [1:10:50] appropriate for him to meet directly with you [1:10:52] so not only is his staff not have they not [1:10:56] contacted you as he indicated yesterday that this [1:11:02] could all happen yesterday he continues to make [1:11:05] excuses as far as I can tell for not meeting [1:11:08] with you in spite of the fact that he met for [1:11:10] hours with Ms. Maxwell why is it so important [1:11:15] can you tell us once again why is it so [1:11:18] important yeah for you to you and the other [1:11:22] victims of Epstein's crimes to meet with the with [1:11:27] Mr. Blanch personally thank you for the question I [1:11:29] I think that if a victim comes and reports a crime [1:11:34] in the FBI what is the first thing that they do [1:11:37] they follow up like law and order SVU taught me [1:11:39] that when I was 15 years old the DOJ has never [1:11:44] followed up in 30 years with any of us there is a [1:11:46] lot in the files right now that you should be [1:11:49] investigating and looking into and to my knowledge [1:11:55] I mean they can ask they can answer this too but we [1:11:59] have never been approached by anybody on the [1:12:02] prosecutorial side of things so I do think like [1:12:06] sitting down telling our stories and explaining like [1:12:10] the people that were in the room right we were [1:12:12] witnesses of crimes we had crimes committed to us [1:12:15] directly we do have a lot of information and you [1:12:19] would think that somebody would take that lead [1:12:23] that's already in like we already went to the FBI [1:12:25] because that we wouldn't have 302s if we hadn't [1:12:28] have gone to the FBI it's already there right so the [1:12:32] following up of those 302s and then once the once it's [1:12:36] supposed to be handled by the Department of Justice why [1:12:40] aren't we hearing from prosecutors this case was never [1:12:42] handled correctly from the beginning and he also made [1:12:46] some excuses as to why personal information when I was [1:12:52] not redacted and exposing I'd love you including you [1:12:57] yeah I think something that stood out yesterday was that he [1:13:00] had said that immediately when things were misredacted that [1:13:04] they were taken down and they fixed them and within 24 hours [1:13:08] they were put back up that is entirely not true there are [1:13:10] still things that need to be redacted and there's still [1:13:14] survivor information in there even today from my awareness [1:13:18] that I mean my information just came down in April and that [1:13:21] was after begging would you say that Mr. Blanche exhibits a [1:13:25] rather dismissive attitude toward all of you and the Epstein [1:13:30] crimes 1000% yes thank you Ms. Oyer Trump's DOJ under [1:13:38] Todd Blanche leadership has purged career prosecutors for [1:13:42] personal reasons for refusing to prioritize President Trump's [1:13:46] interests over their constitutional oath Todd Blanche has [1:13:51] fired more than 1200 former career DOJ employees who worked for [1:13:57] both Republican and Democratic administrations this doesn't [1:14:00] even include all of the DOJ attorneys who resigned because they [1:14:07] didn't want to be part of the kind of DOJ that Todd Blanche is [1:14:12] creating which is basically not a Department of Justice but a [1:14:16] Department of Retribution and corruption in my view Miss Oyer what [1:14:22] risks does this pose to our country for the kind of DOJ that [1:14:29] Todd Blanche is running Senator one of DOJ's greatest strengths [1:14:35] historically has been its non-political career workforce of [1:14:39] experts people who are experts in their subject matter that is crucial to [1:14:43] keeping all of us safe we need people who have specialization in things like [1:14:47] national security prosecuting child exploitation all manner of [1:14:51] sophisticated crimes involving cryptocurrency Mr. Blanche has [1:14:55] decimated the expertise of the career workforce the Justice Department has [1:14:59] lost over a quarter of its attorneys under his leadership and has not been [1:15:03] able to replace them certainly not with experienced knowledgeable non-political [1:15:08] people I think the DOJ is very much losing its credibility and as Mr. [1:15:14] Ashkov mentioned the credibility and trust in DOJ is very important the rule of [1:15:19] law is very important we have a president who does not believe the rule of law [1:15:23] applies to him and his attorney Mr. Blanche is helping him helping the [1:15:29] president proceed with his basically anti rule of law agenda I thank everyone for [1:15:36] testifying today thank you Senator Booker I just want to start off by saying Miss [1:15:42] Oyer I hold you in the highest esteem and respect especially what you're doing [1:15:47] now as a private citizen you use a platform to educate people about the law it is [1:15:52] technical but yet accessible and the badgering you just endured it should be [1:15:58] completely unacceptable you were asked to comment on things you didn't have [1:16:02] before you the treatment here to me is just outrageous and I apologize on behalf [1:16:08] of the United States Senate this idea that as a private citizen you can't sell [1:16:13] things is insulting to me when we have cash Patel our sitting FBI director [1:16:20] selling merch on his site when you have a president of the United States hawking the [1:16:26] Bible and yet you as a private citizen who is has a platform to inform people [1:16:33] about the law how dare we make such an accusation when the mockery of justice the [1:16:41] exploitation and the grifting off of their offices has never received [1:16:46] criticism from that side of the aisle and yet they want to demean you as a [1:16:49] private citizen for for for engaging in commerce that's ridiculous in addition to [1:16:57] the fact that you were a career public servant for your entire life you are a [1:17:04] public defender underpaid overworked not for a year not for five years but for [1:17:11] years the dignity and the service you have brought no matter whether we disagree [1:17:17] with your politics or not should merit the praise of every single senator here so I [1:17:25] apologize for what you endured I thank you for the service you've given to this [1:17:29] country and on matters of horrible killings horrific acts these are [1:17:38] complicated matters I hold here and I'll submit this for the record people who [1:17:42] were victims families survivors who wrote letters to the president United States [1:17:48] asking not to have the death penalty put there and I understand there's [1:17:52] differing views but you are putting those complicated decisions to write career [1:17:57] memos for the president to make decisions about who's pardoned and not and so I am [1:18:03] sorry what I witnessed I came late to the hearing was just unacceptable to me and I [1:18:08] am grateful as somebody that follows you that reposts your content I am [1:18:13] grateful that you're here thank you I want to say I didn't hear that on the [1:18:18] microphone senators enjoy praise so what did you say thank you sir thank you [1:18:22] very much I appreciate that I appreciate that I just want to say before serving as a [1:18:28] partner attorney I pointed out that you were a federal public defender with clients in the [1:18:34] Bureau of prisons was it customary process for transferring a Bureau of [1:18:38] prison prisoner from a low security prison to a minimum security camp was that [1:18:43] standard practice that was unheard of unheard of it's against BOP policies what [1:18:50] role does the deputy attorney general usually play in that process usually the [1:18:56] deputy attorney general would have no role in designating or transferring inmates no [1:19:01] role whatsoever yet the the Todd Blanche went directly and met with him are you [1:19:06] aware of any person serving time for child sex trafficking like Ghislaine Maxwell [1:19:12] being transferred from a low security prison facility to a minimum security camp I [1:19:18] have never heard of that it would be an egregious violation of the Department of [1:19:22] Justice's own rules Miss Banksy how do you feel knowing that the deputy attorney Todd [1:19:28] Blanche went to meet with her for two days and then gave her a cushy transfer while [1:19:37] he would not meet with you and then lied to this committee yesterday saying he was [1:19:42] barred by the law which a first-year law student can know the difference of how [1:19:48] did that make you feel it's devastating for survivors and I'd like to add to that [1:19:52] the Annie Farmer a victim and survivor who testified in Ghislaine Maxwell's hearing [1:19:59] actually wrote a letter to Todd Blanche immediately after that and requested a [1:20:03] meeting with him regarding the move and the transfer and she's never heard [1:20:06] anything back at all it is insulting to heap upon survivors the indignities that he [1:20:13] has by not even meeting with you yet he transferred a sex offender to a cushy camp [1:20:20] against BOP policies it sounds like she got a sweetheart deal while he released [1:20:29] your personal information your address phone numbers images and yet he seems to [1:20:37] be favoring the victimizer and not the survivors I'm out of time and it's [1:20:43] honorable to see mr. Ashcroft here sir I know you I know your record we may have [1:20:49] disagreed on policies but I also know you would never when you're when you were [1:20:53] reviewing a merger you would never go out to dinner with the parties of that [1:20:59] merger it would be unacceptable for a person that is supervising a matter to [1:21:07] attend a social event with those people before your lawyers it's about ethics [1:21:12] it's about the appearance of impropriety it's about following the law this [1:21:17] nominee has not followed the ethics laws has not followed the urgency for him [1:21:22] for avoiding the appearance of improprieties has broken a bipartisan law [1:21:27] passed by Congress has demeaned and degraded survivors of sexual violence and [1:21:34] has shielded the president by some kind of deal we know nothing about that allowed [1:21:39] her now to be transferred to some cushy camp that has never been done before with [1:21:45] sex offenders this man should not be in this office I cannot believe we're going [1:21:49] through this farce when when his record alone should make him disqualified not for [1:21:55] to be the attorney general but for even being employed by the federal government [1:21:59] thank you mr. well senator welch thank you very much first of all miss boss [1:22:06] thank you so much and I fully support your advocacy that the Department of [1:22:13] Justice have as a priority focusing on victims and I also want to express to [1:22:19] the the Epstein victims my appreciation for allowing me to be with you [1:22:25] yesterday and be so uplifted by your support for one another and all you've [1:22:30] done to ennoble the rights of victims and the strength of victims to recover [1:22:36] thank you very much mr. Ashcroft I wanted to do first of all say we [1:22:44] seem to have a problem in Missouri with the attorney generals not being able to [1:22:47] keep their job they all end up in the US Senate you started quite a trend with [1:22:53] mr. Holley and mr. Schmidt well I in all deference it should be remembered that a [1:22:59] very important member of the Senate named Jack Danforth that's right had [1:23:03] previously served as the Attorney General of Missouri so myself excluded I have been a [1:23:10] privileged to be in a line of individuals that I believe have rendered very significant [1:23:16] and valuable service to this nation well I think I think you thank you and I agree [1:23:20] with that and I I think first of all I want to express to you how much I've [1:23:23] admired your career and I think that being an attorney general is probably the [1:23:30] most difficult cabinet position and one of the things that's required is that you [1:23:35] give advice to the president and it may be advice he doesn't want to hear and you [1:23:41] know I remember March of 2004 when you were recovering from an illness and mr. [1:23:48] Comey was the acting attorney general and the president's counsel came to your [1:23:57] hospital room and wanted you to sign off on a security law that mr. Comey in his [1:24:06] opinion thought was not legal and you said that was mr. Comey's decision because he was the acting [1:24:14] attorney general is that right I believe that the public written reports you know they've been it's [1:24:22] been in novels and other things and I I have no reason to contest what they've said right I was in [1:24:28] bed with a morphine pump in one hand I was in and what you call what do they call this intensive care [1:24:36] and but the bottom line here is that the president wanted an answer to permit him to proceed but it [1:24:49] was the opinion of mr. Comey at that time that that was not legal and this raises really what I think [1:24:57] is the heart of what is so challenging to be attorney general the president is the executive you serve in [1:25:05] his cabinet but there are times when an attorney general has to say no is that correct he had it no [1:25:15] attorney ever is a good attorney who doesn't tell his client the truth right and it's important that [1:25:22] the client trust the attorney and I appreciate accept that and so I believe that the attorney general is [1:25:30] sworn to the constitution of the United States and not to an individual the answers to the president [1:25:36] he has sworn to the constitution that's exactly right now also when the Enron case which was an [1:25:42] explosive case came up uh you had received contributions in your political career they [1:25:48] were totally and completely legal but my understanding is because of that in the appearance of a potential [1:25:54] conflict you recused yourself from that that case correct I wish I remembered things especially [1:26:01] things you say are favorable about what I've done but it's it's over two decades ago that I did what [1:26:09] you did mr. Ashcroft is what needs to be done you said it it's the constitution who's your client it's the [1:26:15] american people who are ultimately your client and you have to give that direct and candid advice to the [1:26:22] executive who is the president so that's my question about mr. Blanche it's not his competence it's not that [1:26:29] he's got an ongoing relationship but could you imagine serving as attorney general and having [1:26:38] president bush come to you and say by the way who paid you nine million dollars before you got [1:26:44] to be attorney general to represent him in criminal actions okay this is it's astonishing right but then [1:26:51] he said I've got an idea we're gonna sue the federal government for 10 billion dollars and you're gonna [1:26:59] represent the IRS and then why don't you work out a settlement where there's a 1.7 billion dollar fund [1:27:07] that I control would you see any anything like odd about that I I didn't have that situation I didn't [1:27:19] have a president that had been uh the subject of illegal disclosure of his activities no but criminal [1:27:28] this criminal disclosure I want to get to your judgment on this because I well yeah but you [1:27:34] know I swore to tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth that's that's a big challenge [1:27:39] in an oath and I so I want to give my answer and not your answer although I respect your question [1:27:45] no but what I'm asking I you have incredible credibility incredible character incredible credibility is [1:27:53] kind of almost like senate speak right unbelievable believability I mean no yes I was in this body [1:28:00] myself and sat on that side of the dais but uh well you wouldn't have had that reputation if you were a [1:28:05] senator I mean that's just because you stood up to the president oh yes I would I was I was honest as [1:28:10] a senator I have to I I I confess the prop my faults from both eras both my legislative I'm just gonna finish thank you for [1:28:19] your indulgence but number one when you saw that there was the appearance of a conflict you did not [1:28:24] continue representing the government in the Enron case number two when it came to a president's demand [1:28:32] on something of vital concern to the president a national security law surveillance law where it was [1:28:39] the opinion of your department that it was illegal you stood up to the president and didn't cave [1:28:46] I respect that and I believe that's the obligation and the burden of whoever serves as our attorney general [1:28:52] Mr. Blanche does not share that I thank you for that respect I I I hope when I grow up I live to do things [1:29:02] right Senator Tillis Mr. Ashcroft and to all the witnesses uh thank you for being here um Mr. Ashcroft I [1:29:12] told the the chairman or I told the chairman staff I had one question but like John Kennedy it has two parts [1:29:17] um um you know my first question Mr. Ashcroft I I mentioned yesterday that I'm disturbed with the [1:29:26] political physics going on today if you think about the Obama administration they had vindictive [1:29:32] prosecutions President Trump came in more or less matched up on some of it President Biden comes in [1:29:38] goes a little bit further and this administration seems to me when we're doing 86 47 we're doing [1:29:45] indictments for that unless there's others an active investigation but that's a reason to bring [1:29:50] Mr. Comey uh and do a perp walk because he arranged shells 86 47 on a beach in North Carolina that's all [1:29:57] we know right now it just seems like that does it seems to me like there's a continuing you know this [1:30:02] exceptional nation we are Americans always want to do better that you know get bigger higher the next time [1:30:08] do you am I wrong or am I perceiving a continued escalation of of prosecutions that some of which [1:30:16] really because of the way that they're being adjudicated they're not being successful it just [1:30:20] seems to me that we're like shooting you know shoot ready aim on uh on some prosecutions and I'm not [1:30:26] only talking about the current Trump administration I'm going back to the Obama era do you agree with [1:30:32] me that there seems to be a trend that each administration we seem to be upping it of late [1:30:40] I'm not sure I could uh quantify any disenchantment uh I I okay I believe that's I believe I think [1:30:51] partisanship yeah and uh that's okay Mr. Ashcroft because I'm gonna live up my promise to yield back [1:30:56] some time my point uh I'm a management consultant I'm not an attorney I'm not a prosecutor I'm not a [1:31:01] law enforcement officer but I deal with facts and empirical data pretty well I guarantee you I can give [1:31:07] you a list of cases and a list of investigations a list of vindictive uh audits and every year it's [1:31:16] like from 2008 to 2012 to 2016 to 2020 and 2024 one party is going to have to actually be an adult in [1:31:27] the room and stop it and our members here need to stop having situational ethics where they're only [1:31:32] opposed to it when the other parties in power but that was not my question yesterday before the uh [1:31:41] the hearing and Mr. Blanche I have a pre a positive predisposition to just so that everybody knows [1:31:46] um I have not made a final decision but Mr. Blanche said very quickly yesterday that he would meet with [1:31:54] the victims the the Epstein victims today if it could be arranged well right now the markup if you all [1:32:03] don't know procedure here after this hearing is done today next week we'll hold it over the earliest [1:32:08] possible markup would be two weeks from now and because it seemed to me that uh Mr. Blanche was [1:32:15] willing to uh to say that he would meet with them and council I understand the restriction the council [1:32:21] has to be present I expect that meeting to occur before I'm willing to vote out of this committee [1:32:25] and I'm trying to get to yes but this is a very important part of getting to yes [1:32:32] there should not be any reason why based on what Mr. what Mr. Blanche said yesterday if he said that [1:32:38] he would do it today then he can certainly do it over the next two weeks thank you Mr. Chair I yield [1:32:43] back yeah talking about what you said what advice or how political attorney general offices I remember [1:32:51] that Holder said he was a wingman for President Obama that's exactly right Mr. Chair and anybody who comes up [1:33:00] here and steps up on their on their pulpit and then all of a sudden I can go back and and see of record [1:33:06] the absolute silence of Democrats when Biden Obama did the same thing I'd love to see a Democrat who has [1:33:13] taken the position that I have with an administration that shares my jersey because that's the only way [1:33:19] this nonsense stops Senator Schaaf thank you Mr. Chairman Mr. Adler thank you for being here and for [1:33:27] your many years of service Ms. Oyer likewise thank you for your courage at the Justice Department and [1:33:33] for your willingness to speak out Ms. Boss I'm just heartbroken for your loss and very much appreciate [1:33:40] your advocacy and Ms. Benske thank you for your willingness to speak out and for all the Epstein [1:33:46] victims that are here I'm glad the attorney general finally acknowledged that he could meet with you I [1:33:52] was perplexed when he said somehow that he was prohibited that's simply not the law and I hope [1:33:57] that meeting takes place Mr. Ashcroft thank you for your service I wanted to ask you about some remarks [1:34:06] the attorney general made when he said that he thought the president he was asked about the president [1:34:13] targeting his political opponents and enemies for prosecution and I don't subscribe to the what [1:34:20] I think is the false equivalence we've never seen a president behave this way where he openly and [1:34:27] privately calls on the attorney general to prosecute his enemies and I want to ask you about that Mr. [1:34:35] Ashcroft because Mr. Blanche has said that he believes the president has both the right and the duty [1:34:41] to use the justice department to go after his enemies do you subscribe to that view thank you [1:34:49] senator I believe that the attorney general of the United States has the right and responsibility to [1:34:55] enforce the law uniformly and if the law has been broken by the president's enemies he has a duty they [1:35:02] do not become exempt from following the law merely by by their enmity to the president of the United States [1:35:10] as a matter of fact the people who break the law are in enmity with the people of the United States [1:35:16] whose expression of what is the law has been developed in this body in the congress of the United States [1:35:22] so the we used to call people who break the law public enemies so my view is that whether a person has been [1:35:31] a political supporter or not of the president of the United States is not the determining factor [1:35:36] regarding prosecution it's whether a person has violated the law and in enforcing the law uh the [1:35:43] attorney general is carrying out the will expressed in the congress Mr. General you realize having sat [1:35:49] here my time is very limited um that really isn't my question my question is do you think it is [1:35:54] appropriate for the president to call on the attorney general to prosecute one of his enemies [1:36:00] and acting on that request the president for the attorney general to do so the president of the [1:36:07] United States is the executive branch of the United States whose charge it is to enforce the laws of [1:36:15] the United States so is that when the president of the United States asks that the laws be enforced [1:36:21] I don't see that as consistent with his duties or responsibilities if the laws were to be enforced [1:36:26] differentially and which one of the things that scares me about as many laws as we have you know [1:36:32] someone said all in order to run a police state you only have to have one policeman but if you have [1:36:37] enough laws you can go find something wrong with anybody you want so the president I believe his [1:36:43] job is to have an administration which calls for the enforcement of the laws of the United States [1:36:50] without regard to the political preferences of the people who are perpetrators or accused individuals [1:36:57] in the system I'm not I'm not sure that I understand your answer except you seem to accept the premise [1:37:03] that it is okay now for a president to call the attorney general and ask him to prosecute his enemies [1:37:08] you don't seem to have a problem with that if you do have a problem with that please say so [1:37:13] I believe the president needs to be an advocate of strong law enforcement [1:37:17] okay that that that is and that includes with with enemies of his with respect and if an enemy of the [1:37:24] president goes out and conducts a violent crime it's nothing wrong with the president calling the [1:37:31] attorney general and saying I hope you do something about this violent crime and if the president's enemy [1:37:36] takes a photo of seashells you think it's appropriate to prosecute them if senators make a video stating the [1:37:43] plain law and constitution that you can disobey an illegal order you think it's okay for the president or [1:37:51] others to call them to be prosecuted I don't think so I don't think so and I don't think you would have [1:37:58] done that as attorney general I hope you wouldn't have if you would have you were not the attorney [1:38:02] general I thought you were I don't think it's appropriate for this attorney general or any other [1:38:07] and I don't remember seeing not notwithstanding the false equivalents I hear expressed so many times [1:38:13] from my colleagues in this committee I don't remember any democratic president calling the attorney general [1:38:20] and saying you need to prosecute him and you need to prosecute her and you need to prosecute them [1:38:25] and you need to go after this organization we have never seen that before or anything like it [1:38:30] anything like it and generic statements oh they all do it is is simply not the case and by making that [1:38:37] argument it just it just further erodes the wall of independence that I'm sure attorney general you [1:38:44] remember after Watergate when because of the abuses of president Nixon there was an effort to [1:38:51] make the justice department independent from the white house not not completely independent in the [1:38:56] sense that the president couldn't set general priorities I want you to emphasize these cases [1:39:01] and these cases whether it's immigration cases or drug cases that was always appropriate but what has [1:39:07] never been appropriate and particularly so after Watergate was for the attorney general the United States [1:39:14] to break that wall and call on his attorney general to prosecute his enemies and I would say even without [1:39:21] any basis to do so and this justice department has been willing to do so and has gone before grand [1:39:28] juries and we have never I think seen the likes of this either in these high profile cases where the [1:39:33] grand jurors in some cases to a person have refused an indictment how often did you have that happen to [1:39:42] you mr. turn that last question I'll ask you how often mr. turn general did you seek an indictment as a [1:39:47] prosecutor and have not a single grand juror vote to indict did that ever happen to you I don't know [1:39:55] I just don't know I thank you mr. chairman senator brett thank you mr. chairman appreciate all of you [1:40:05] being here today witnesses taking your time to be in front of us before I start I want to say thank you to [1:40:12] attorney general ask her off for being here today and your service to our country [1:40:16] both as attorney general and as a united states senator and also thank you for your kind words [1:40:23] about senator graham really appreciate it mrs. boss thank you for sharing your story [1:40:35] reliving the worst day in your in your life being willing to tell your story so that people hear it [1:40:44] really appreciate it and I'm so sorry for your loss we're going to talk a little bit in a second about [1:40:53] people needing to meet with survivors which I completely agree with and and victims let me ask [1:41:01] you a question do you think that when someone is killed at the hands of an illegal alien that their [1:41:12] representation in congress senator congressman should meet with that family absolutely of course [1:41:25] it's my understanding that there are many angel families that cannot get meetings with their [1:41:29] senators have you heard that absolutely it happens all the time as a matter of fact the lovely and kind [1:41:37] words from senator durbin I am his constituents first time I've ever spoken with him I haven't spoken [1:41:46] with him he spoke to me well I hope and I'm sure that uh I hope I heard actually the ranking member [1:41:55] yesterday talk about the need for the attorney general to meet with with victims which I support [1:42:02] and I certainly am hopeful that he will and others uh will meet with you yes [1:42:09] so Sheridan Gorman and other names need to be said and I think the accountability that we have in this [1:42:21] room for other people we should be able to have it for this body as well so I certainly hope that you get [1:42:27] your face-to-face meeting um that you deserve I would hope so we've had several um laws introduced [1:42:36] uh legislation introduced in this last session that have been completely ignored um and there's [1:42:42] there hasn't been any way to really get in and talk to anybody um especially those who are opposed to [1:42:48] those legislations for whatever reason well thank you so much for for elevating your voice um [1:42:57] Ms. Bezinski am I saying that right it's Benski yeah okay gosh I'm gonna have to try um I am so sorry [1:43:06] for everything that you've been through and thank you for your courage for for being here today and [1:43:11] being able to elevate your voice I completely support your quest to to be able to be heard um to obviously for [1:43:20] victims to be protected and for us to pursue every uh every lead possible and you know I do believe [1:43:27] after my conversations uh with the assistant attorney general that that he is going to pursue those let [1:43:33] me ask you this did you were you asked um in the previous administration did you ever have an opportunity [1:43:40] to sit down with the then attorney general Merrick Garland we did not but um there are active [1:43:46] investigations going on because of Gillen Maxwell's hearing so but did you ever have a face-to-face [1:43:51] with with him um no no did did y'all request a face-to-face this was before uh a time that I was [1:44:00] comfortable coming forward it was just this last September that a group of us felt like we had met [1:44:05] each other and a huge part of this has been finding the collective voice of a sisterhood and understanding [1:44:12] that we weren't isolated in these experiences absolutely and let me ask you this did you um [1:44:17] were was there ever because I know that my um colleague Senator Blackburn really wanted to make [1:44:23] sure that you all had an opportunity to tell your story are you aware of any senate um hearings that were [1:44:32] held uh under the previous administration that tried to I don't personally have that information because [1:44:38] again it just came forward really in September thank you for coming forward I mean thank you so much [1:44:43] um Mrs. Oyer uh obviously do we have are you cutting people off right on time today what are you [1:44:56] cutting people off right on time today or are people getting to go way over I I've been too liberal [1:45:01] but go okay all right go ahead and ask one more question just let me ask one more question please sir [1:45:07] I appreciate it um after you were fired from DOJ uh you had an independent media company and a sub stack [1:45:15] platform and you had the you know lawyer or a or a brand name and the the hoodies that said hardwired [1:45:23] to stand up to bullies I'm I'm wondering you know it's my understanding that as a pardon attorney during the [1:45:31] the Biden administration you recommended actual commutations for Daniel Troyer and [1:45:37] Ricardo Sanchez Jr. who were sentenced to death in 2009 after executing a family of four [1:45:43] on the side of a highway is that true uh ma'am I think you were not in the room when several of [1:45:49] your colleagues asked me about those yeah but this is my turn to ask a question so is that I said then [1:45:55] remains which is that I'm not able to talk about the clemency advice that I provided to the White House [1:46:00] because well the victims included a four-year-old and a three-year-old boy who died [1:46:05] while cradled in the arms of their mother who was trying to shield them those two little boys were [1:46:11] shot 10 times and their mother was shot 11 times and their father was shot five times so I appreciate [1:46:18] the grace on getting to go over but that doesn't sound like to me that you stand up to bullies it [1:46:24] sounds like to me you stand with them thank you senator boomer though thanks mr chairman uh i want to thank all [1:46:34] of you for being here uh this day of the hearings often gets less attention but it is very important [1:46:43] to us and you are performing a very important service uh i particularly want to thank uh miss [1:46:52] bensky and miss boss for sharing your stories and reliving a lot of the pain that you have been through [1:47:02] uh miss bensky i don't know whether you were here yesterday when i asked uh acting attorney general [1:47:12] blanche to apologize and i'd just be interested in your reaction to his response yeah i think it was [1:47:21] the most that we've gotten from him um and that was a moment where there was a touch of humanity to say [1:47:27] that we do understand that there was in fact failure here because he's been on the record multiple times [1:47:32] saying that nothing was mishandled um and as a survivor who literally saw nude images of you know [1:47:40] friends and and had my own information exposed all over the place um you know to tell the world that [1:47:48] this had not been mishandled was just so absolutely egregious um like anybody from here to mars and no [1:47:55] matter what political affiliation you're with can see that like your government should not be you know [1:48:00] sending out nude photos of you um obviously yeah thank you thank you uh very well said let me let me [1:48:09] ask you a general question um and you don't have to give me an exhaustive answer uh today and i know [1:48:19] there are others in the room who may want to answer this question as well but what should we demand [1:48:24] of the department of justice to make things right to make things better yeah we've always just been [1:48:32] looking for accountability and for this case to be handled correctly because even from the very start [1:48:38] of this case we have not seen it handled the way anybody would normally prosecute something so we are [1:48:45] looking to get to the bottom of why our perpetrators were never held to account how does the largest sex [1:48:52] trafficking ring in this country exist when only two people have been found even remotely i mean epstein's [1:49:00] dead but maxwell's the only one who has been held to any sort of account and she's in a lower um you [1:49:06] know a lower security penitentiary at this point so um you know we i think we are we are owed answers [1:49:12] and we are owed you know justice for us we get that question a lot of what does justice look like [1:49:18] i think yes the culture shift is part of it but really like having your government stand up for you [1:49:23] and stand up for what's right and um you know there's there's a chilling effect that it sends [1:49:29] to survivors everywhere when their government is outing their personal information other survivors are [1:49:35] not going to want to come forward right and so we need to make sure that we are getting all the [1:49:40] information with these cases so i think um we really just hope that the government will take it [1:49:46] seriously and start investigations accountability accountability yeah always and i think a working [1:49:54] hypothesis here is that accountability is difficult when rich and powerful people are potentially it's [1:50:01] always been the vulnerable versus power for this case for most sex trafficking cases are all sex [1:50:07] trafficking cases really um and it is about how the powerful consistently exploit the vulnerable and that [1:50:13] is what we see a lot i mean i have a six-year-old son and i teach him that accountability matters every [1:50:19] single day and i hold him to account why can't we hold our government to account well i will just say uh [1:50:29] your voice and face has been a very powerful antidote thank you to the wealth and power that may be brought [1:50:38] to bear here and i hope that this forum will encourage you and others to come forward as you've done so [1:50:44] courageously thank you so much yeah i do also want to mention that virginia jivree has been monumental in [1:50:51] all this and i think it would be um unfair to not name her because her deposition holds the key to [1:50:56] quite a few things so if you started her deposition you can start really investigating thank you um miss [1:51:05] oryer uh i want to ask you about the pardon that i mentioned yesterday i asked todd blanche about it [1:51:15] uh david gentile sentenced to seven years for a multi-million dollar fraud scheme that uh [1:51:26] involved a seven-year sentence he served 12 days of it before he was pardoned he boasted to his fellow [1:51:36] inmates that he was going to pay 2.5 million dollars to someone to get him out father frank mann [1:51:46] told one of his parishioners that he had talked to president trump to get get david gentile out of [1:51:55] prison these are facts that have been publicly reported the investigation into the potential [1:52:01] impropriety of this pardon was shut down allegedly by high officials in the department of justice talking [1:52:12] to the u.s attorney in the southern district of new york joe nacella i know you're not familiar with [1:52:19] the facts i'm not going to ask you whether you believe that that reporting is true mr blanche never [1:52:28] denied it he basically said well it was a leak sometimes leaks actually actually involve truthful [1:52:35] information but the point that i think is lost here is that that pardon involved 16 million dollars in [1:52:44] forfeiture forfeiture to innocent victims many of them retirees who were depending on that money [1:52:53] to survive and he will no longer be required to do restitution so his ill-gotten gains some of [1:53:04] which he may have used to pay for his clemency so to speak are not going to go back to the people who [1:53:15] were cheated his victim as a result of that pardon and clemency uh so i guess my question to you with [1:53:26] this introduction is essentially are victims and survivors often re-victimized by pardons that are [1:53:39] unjust or unfair to them and shouldn't we have them given a voice and recognize the constitution gives the [1:53:49] president unlimited authority and it's one of those powers that's unchecked rarely but isn't there a [1:53:57] need to give the victims a voice in this process yes senator the millions of dollars that mr gentile [1:54:04] stole from his investors unfortunately are a drop in the bucket of the restitution that victims have [1:54:10] been deprived of as a result of president trump's pardons he has forgiven over a billion dollars in [1:54:16] restitution that is owed to victims of fraud as well as money that is owed to taxpayers by people [1:54:22] who committed white collar crimes and who have served in many cases none of their sentence and [1:54:27] repaid none of their money that is not consistent with the regulations that the justice department [1:54:32] has in place for evaluating applications for pardons the justice department historically has looked to see [1:54:38] that people have repaid their debts before recommending clemency but this president is using clemency [1:54:44] in a strategic transactional way to forgive huge amounts of debts owed to taxpayers and crime victims [1:54:51] senator derby mr chairman uh in closing here i would like to make a couple points please do first [1:55:00] i understand that the senator from alabama mentioned my name while i stepped out uh miss boss anxious to [1:55:07] meet with you i hope we can do it soon maybe even right after this because i didn't know it was a [1:55:14] hardship for you to make this journey here testify from illinois and i don't want you to have to [1:55:20] wait to see me uh i want to meet with you now and we can talk as soon as this meeting adjourns if it's [1:55:27] okay with you if it fits in your schedule let me say a word about miss sawyer i'm glad that the senator [1:55:36] from new jersey said what he did about you i believe the fact of the matter is that most of the things that [1:55:44] were brought up today in this hearing about your activity related to a decision by the biden [1:55:51] administration as they were leaving office to turn death penalty convictions into life imprisonment [1:56:01] instead is that correct that's that's right sir that reflects i i'll say this you don't have to [1:56:10] comment on this i believe that reflects the president joe biden's uh opposition to the death [1:56:17] penalty i share that opposition there are people in the audience who agree with me and being some [1:56:23] who vehemently disagree with me but america is divided in this issue i didn't have this position [1:56:29] my entire political career but toward the end of it i've come to the conclusion as justice blackman did [1:56:35] at the end of his conclusion of serving on the supreme court that he no longer wants to tinker with the [1:56:40] machinery of death the fact the matter is there are clear cases where one can argue a death penalty [1:56:47] and there are cases which we have found were wrongly decided and people uh faced a death penalty or worse [1:56:54] until evidence and other things were discovered at the end uh that is my position that was joe biden's [1:57:01] position that's why the cases which were brought up today uh are so serious uh and i believe that you [1:57:08] were doing your job as a pardon attorney to advise him uh as to his decision but is it not true that [1:57:15] the final decision on the disposition of these inmates was the decision of the president of the united [1:57:22] states that's absolutely correct senator so uh if you want to take exception to joe biden and his [1:57:28] position be my guest but to blame you for those i think goes beyond uh your responsibility as part of [1:57:35] attorney uh and i i would just say i know the controversy behind this issue but uh i i feel [1:57:42] that that's what led him to his conclusion uh miss bensky thank you for bringing your friends with you [1:57:48] today it is great to see them i i hope that what you heard from senator tillis is a promising possibility [1:57:57] that he said he would not i hope i'm saying this correctly he wouldn't vote to confirm this [1:58:02] support uh nomination until there's been an actual meeting that would be a dramatic [1:58:09] work of progress for us to reach that point and because you have the courage to stand up not only [1:58:14] you but your friends uh we we have achieved that i believe i hope that's the fact thank you mr chairman [1:58:23] thanks to all of our witnesses for being here today and for traveling the long distances some of you have had to [1:58:31] go we're grateful that you did it uh for all the members of this committee written questions to these [1:58:39] witnesses here are due on wednesday july 22 this year at 5 p.m the hearing is adjourned finance committee still [1:59:03] meeting okay