Trump deputy attorney general’s past raises questions in the Epstein case : NPR

Ailsa Chang, host:

President Trump is in Scotland today, and even there, he was asked about the processing by his administration of the files of the sex offender condemned Jeffrey Epstein.

(Soundbit of archived registration)

President Donald Trump: Well, I was not too interested. You know, it is something – it is a hoax that was built far beyond the proportion.

Chang: Trump, who knew Epstein, tried several times to change the subject when he asked him questions about him. The Ministry of Justice, for its part, rushes to limit the benefits on Epstein, which has only added to the theories of the conspiracy which surround it. Ryan Lucas, correspondent for justice NPR.

Ryan Lucas, Byline: In June 2024, Todd Blanche was the position of personal prosecutor of the president of the time, Donald Trump, when Blanche made an appearance on a legal podcast organized by an eminent defense lawyer appointed David Markus.

(Soundbite of Podcast, “for defense”)

David Markus: Ok, I want to welcome Todd Blanche to “for the defense”. Everyone knows who Todd is. And he is the first guest on “To the Defense” to appear twice. So welcome to the show, Todd.

Todd Blanche: It’s an honor. Thank you very much, David. I really appreciate it.

Lucas: The two discussed Blanche’s legal work for Trump. And Blanche, at some point, tells the story of the moment he received a Trump call for the first time to be his lawyer.

(Soundbite of Podcast, “for defense”)

Blanche: I was shocked. I did not think that anyone would believe me, so I caught my daughter and I dragged her into the room we were – you know, my room and I put President Trump on a speaker for a minute so that she would do it – in case he will not call me.

Lucas: Flash Forward 13 months and Blanche is now the deputy prosecutor – manager No. 2 of the Ministry of Justice for Trump. Markus, meanwhile, is a lawyer for Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20 -year prison sentence for helping Jeffrey Epstein sexually abuses minor girls.

Last week, Blanche and Markus sit with Maxwell behind closed doors to discuss what she knows about Epstein and her associates. The interview is part of the Trump administration’s attempt to write indignation at its management of EPSTEIN files. Blanche’s friendship with Markus is not, from the point of view of legal ethics, problematic, explains Claire Finkelstein of the University of Pennsylvania.

Claire Finkelstein: The world of criminal justice is ultimately a little one, and everyone knows everyone.

Lucas: But Blanche’s involvement in Maxwell’s interview is very unusual, starting with his post in the department, explains Sarah Krissoff, former federal prosecutor.

Sarah Krissoff: So, generally, the line prosecutors who manage the case will maintain someone who is ready to provide information to the government, even in the most prominent case.

Lucas: She also says that FBI agents would generally participate in Reunion. We don’t know if it happened with Maxwell. Asked about the other participants, a spokesperson for the Department did not refer to the Tweets of Blanche on this subject, which does not mention anyone else. We also don’t know what Maxwell told Blanche.

Krissoff: If the goal of the interview is to show the American public, hey, we follow all these tracks, we see if there is a viable case against other people, I think that is undermined by making Blâtre do these interviews.

Lucas: For his part, Blanche said that the ministry will continue justice wherever the facts could drive. Again, Finkelstein.

Finkelstein: The best thing for any administration is to project to the American people that they manage a question like this with impartiality and on a level playground so that the president does not seem to use the Ministry of Justice to hide sensitive information on himself.

Lucas: But she says that the practical approach to Blanche here raises concerns about the role he plays.

Finkelstein: It is very worrying that you have someone who was previously the personal lawyer of the president who then gets involved to possibly help the president protect his own image in this area.

Lucas: With all these questions about Blanche’s personal participation, it is not clear if his efforts will help repress the tumult on the Epstein case or if they will add to it.

Ryan Lucas, NPR News, Washington.

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