# Apex Doctrine: Trump Admin Dodges Deposition as Court Grants Protective Order

> U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche avoids deposition in Epstein victims lawsuit after court grants protective order under apex doctrine.
- Title: Apex Doctrine: Trump Admin Dodges Deposition as Court Grants…
- Summary: U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche avoids deposition in Epstein victims lawsuit after court grants protective order under apex doctrine.
- Keywords: apex doctrine, trump administration, attorney general todd blanche, epstein victims lawsuit, federal tort claims act, joe biden appointee, u.s. district judge david s leibowitz, u.s. magistrate judge ryon m mccabe, fbi rules, child sexual abuse tips, protective order, limited discovery
- Source: Law & Crime — https://lawandcrime.com/high-profile/apex-doctrine-trump-admin-dodges-deposition-as-court-grants-protective-order-for-todd-blanche-in-epstein-victims-lawsuit-plaintiffs-will-get-some-limited-discovery
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: apex doctrine, trump administration, attorney general todd blanche, epstein victims lawsuit, federal tort claims act, joe biden appointee, u.s. district judge david s leibowitz, u.s. magistrate judge ryon m mccabe, fbi rules, child sexual abuse tips, protective order, limited discovery
## Court Ruling on Deposition
U.S. District Judge David S. Leibowitz granted a 90-day window for limited discovery in Epstein victims lawsuit.
## Plaintiffs' Lawsuit
Jane Does filed complaint under Federal Tort Claims Act alleging FBI and DOJ mishandled Epstein scandal.
## Trump Administration's Move
DOJ moved to dismiss lawsuit and requested protective order barring Blanche from deposition.
## Court's Ruling
U.S. Magistrate Judge Ryon M. McCabe granted DOJ's motion to quash subpoena for Blanche testimony.
## Apex Doctrine
Court cited apex doctrine to protect high-ranking officials from judicial subpoenas except in rare circumstances.
## Limited Discovery Scope
Plaintiffs' request for 'any and all documents pertaining to Jeffrey Epstein' exceeds jurisdictional discovery limits.
## Blanche's Comment
Blanche allegedly said 'you got screwed over by the FBI, but I cannot fix the FBI's lack of investigation' during July meeting.

> you got screwed over by the FBI, but I cannot fix the FBI's lack of investigation
## Next Steps
Plaintiffs can ask up to ten written questions about Blanche's July comments within 15 business days.
## Court's Reasoning
Court found plaintiffs' duces tecum request goes far beyond limited jurisdictional discovery permitted by judge.
## Jurisdictional Issue
Federal court in Florida cannot quash subpoena for compliance in New York jurisdiction.
## Previous Discovery
Plaintiffs have not yet received responses to written discovery or deposed government witnesses.
## Court's Next Action
Court will expedite outstanding discovery to ensure plaintiffs get requested information.
## Apex Doctrine Threshold
Court requires 'extraordinary circumstances' or 'special needs' to overcome apex doctrine for high-ranking officials.
## Blanche's Testimony
Blanche will answer written questions about July comments but not face deposition.
## Limited Scope
Questions must focus on Blanche's alleged comments from July meeting only.
## Outcome
Trump administration wins court order blocking Blanche from deposition in Epstein victims lawsuit.
## Key takeaway

Trump administration wins court order blocking Attorney General Todd Blanche from testifying in Epstein victims lawsuit due to apex doctrine protections.