By: Russ Spencer

In a development likely to intensify public scrutiny and political tensions surrounding the long-standing Jeffrey Epstein scandal, Ghislaine Maxwell—the convicted accomplice of the late financier—met on Thursday with senior Department of Justice official Todd Blanche at a Florida federal courthouse, CNBC reported. The meeting, held behind closed doors at the U.S. District Court in Tallahassee, comes amid mounting demands for transparency over Epstein’s network, with both the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) under increasing pressure to release withheld records.

According to the information provided in the CNBC report, Blanche, who now serves as Deputy Attorney General, convened with Maxwell and her legal team in a secured conference room located inside the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The session was expected to last the entire day and focused on what Maxwell may know about other individuals potentially implicated in the trafficking and abuse of young girls within Epstein’s sprawling operation.

This encounter marks a significant moment in the Trump administration’s evolving approach to the Epstein case. As CNBC has noted in its coverage, the Department of Justice’s recent position—to withhold further disclosures despite earlier commitments to transparency—has drawn bipartisan criticism, fueling accusations of selective disclosure and potential political shielding.

Blanche’s direct involvement in this high-profile inquiry is notable for multiple reasons. A former criminal defense attorney for President Donald Trump, Blanche previously represented the president during his 2024 criminal trial in New York, which ended in Trump’s conviction on charges of falsifying business records connected to a hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels.

In a statement posted Tuesday on social media, Blanche indicated the seriousness of the DOJ’s intent: “If Ghislaine Maxwell has information about anyone who has committed crimes against victims, the FBI and the DOJ will hear what she has to say.” His public assertion follows weeks of internal deliberations within the Justice Department on how to proceed with the sensitive materials in the Epstein files.

The CNBC report noted that the DOJ officially maintains that it has conducted a “systematic review” of Epstein’s case files and found no credible basis for pursuing investigations against uncharged third parties. A recently released department memo stated unequivocally that there is “no incriminating ‘client list’” and “no credible evidence found that Epstein blackmailed prominent individuals.” It further reaffirmed the official ruling by the New York City Medical Examiner that Epstein died by suicide while in federal custody in August 2019.

Ghislaine Maxwell, 63, is currently serving a 20-year sentence at the federal correctional institution in Tallahassee after being convicted in 2021 of multiple charges related to grooming and recruiting underage girls for Epstein’s sexual abuse. The charges stemmed from conduct that occurred over a decade, and her trial drew global media coverage and sparked renewed outrage about the lack of accountability for others potentially involved.

Maxwell’s legal team has filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court, seeking to appeal her conviction. As CNBC has reported, the legal pathway ahead for Maxwell remains uncertain, but Thursday’s meeting signals that she may now be cooperating to some extent—perhaps in the hope of future concessions from prosecutors.

Blanche’s meeting with Maxwell coincides with a broader political escalation surrounding the Epstein case. The House Oversight Committee—chaired by Republicans allied with President Trump—has formally indicated it will subpoena the DOJ for the full Epstein file. A committee spokesperson confirmed this intention on Wednesday, following revelations that President Trump was informed in May by Attorney General Pam Bondi that his name appeared multiple times in internal DOJ and FBI records pertaining to Epstein.

As CNBC reported, the Wall Street Journal corroborated that Trump’s name, along with many others, had surfaced in previously reviewed documentation. However, the presence of names in those records does not inherently imply criminal behavior. Epstein, known for cultivating relationships with high-profile figures across political, royal, and business spheres, maintained extensive contact lists that were later seized during law enforcement investigations.

Trump had once maintained a friendship with Epstein, though the relationship reportedly soured years before Epstein’s 2019 arrest. The DOJ has emphasized in its memo that “no further disclosure would be appropriate or warranted,” citing the absence of actionable evidence and the need to protect the integrity of uncharged individuals.

For advocates seeking accountability in the Epstein case, the Blanche-Maxwell meeting represents both a potential breakthrough and a source of continued skepticism. While the DOJ has repeatedly stated that it found no basis for prosecuting others, many observers question the completeness of the investigations. Epstein’s sudden death in federal custody, coupled with the high-profile nature of his social connections, has long fueled theories about the extent of his operation and the identities of those involved.

CNBC has extensively reported on the DOJ’s stated priority to combat child exploitation. Yet, as the DOJ’s latest memo acknowledged, “Perpetuating unfounded theories about Epstein serves neither of those ends.” Critics argue, however, that the lack of transparency undermines public confidence in the justice system and suggests selective protection of the elite.

Blanche’s renewed outreach to Maxwell could signal a recalibration within the Department of Justice—an effort to gather whatever remaining evidence may be obtainable, particularly from a figure as centrally involved in Epstein’s crimes as Maxwell. Whether this results in substantive prosecutions or serves more as a symbolic gesture remains to be seen.

Politically, the timing of the DOJ’s decisions in the Epstein case has drawn pointed attention. President Trump’s administration has taken aggressive steps in recent months to position itself as tough on human trafficking and exploitation, but critics note that the decision to halt the release of Epstein files could appear inconsistent with that message.

Blanche’s dual role—as both a former Trump defense attorney and now one of the DOJ’s top-ranking officials—places him in a uniquely scrutinized position, as was reported by CNBC. His involvement in the Maxwell meeting will undoubtedly raise questions about how much influence the White House may exert over the DOJ’s strategic decisions.

Nonetheless, the Justice Department’s public line has remained firm. “One of our highest priorities is combatting child exploitation and bringing justice to victims,” its recent memo stated. “We have labored to provide the public with maximum information regarding Epstein… while ensuring examination of any evidence in the government’s possession.”

The meeting between Todd Blanche and Ghislaine Maxwell, as reported by CNBC may mark a new chapter in the Epstein saga. While the Justice Department insists there is no further evidence to act upon, the political, legal, and social pressures show no signs of dissipating.

Whether Thursday’s conversation yields actionable leads, or simply further entrenches the stalemate between public demand and prosecutorial caution, it emphasizes the enduring complexity of a case that continues to cast a long shadow over American institutions. For now, the Epstein file remains closed to the public—but perhaps not indefinitely.