Robert Garcia Says Todd Blanche Is 'Scared' to Testify Over Epstein Cover-Up

Representative Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, said in an interview that Attorney General Todd Blanche is "leading this White House cover-up" of the Jeffrey Epstein files, and that this is why Blanche has not testified before the panel.

The exchange began with Stephen Miller. After Miller was elevated to White House chief of staff, Garcia put out a statement criticizing him. He said Garcia was "telling him to lawyer up" and added: "Stephen Miller has a lawyer. It's me."

Asked whether the remark deterred him, Garcia said, "Absolutely not." At the end of the day, he's the lawyer for the Department of Justice and the people of this country."

Garcia Says Blanche Is Avoiding the Oversight Committee

Garcia then turned to the Epstein investigation.

Chairman James Comer said he'd be there. He has yet to show up. And so what is Todd Blanche afraid of?" Garcia said.

Democrats Press Comer to Bring In Blanche

Comer, a Kentucky Republican, chairs the committee. Democrats have pressed him for months to bring Blanche in:

• June 2: Garcia asked Comer in a letter to bring in Blanche, then acting attorney general, and FBI Director Kash Patel for transcribed interviews. Former Attorney General Pam Bondi had told the committee she delegated oversight of the files process to Blanche.
• August: After the Senate confirmed Blanche, Garcia said Comer "must stick to his word" and bring him in.

What the Epstein Files Release Has Shown

The Epstein Files Transparency Act ordered the Justice Department to release its Epstein records. On January 30, the department said it had published 3.5 million responsive pages in compliance with the law.

Garcia and Oversight Democrats put the figures differently, saying the department had released about 3 million pages of roughly 6 million it had collected, only half of the files. Democrats say the department is unlawfully withholding the rest.

In April, the Justice Department's inspector general opened an audit of how the department identifies, redacts and releases records under the law.

How Americans View the Epstein Files

The public was skeptical early on. A February 13-16 Economist/YouGov poll found 57 percent disapproved of Trump's handling of the Epstein investigation and 24 percent approved. Fifty-three percent said Trump was trying to cover up Epstein's crimes, including 91 percent of Democrats, 58 percent of independents and 13 percent of Republicans.

Trump's overall standing is also weak. PolitiKool's polling average puts his approval at 38.2 percent, with 58.7 percent disapproving.

What Happens Next

Garcia's statement on Miller promised that Democrats would keep investigating Miller's conduct. Whether Blanche ever appears before the Oversight Committee remains open.