Trump DOJ Blasted for “Gross Abuse” of Power in Reflecting Pool Case

• Primary voting is currently underway in five states, including Michigan, Virginia, and Kansas. • The Senate Judiciary Committee has begun hearings on Todd Blanche’s nomination for attorney general.

• A Senate committee advanced the nomination of Todd Blanche for attorney general on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. • The move followed Blanche's decision to rescind a $1.8 billion fund previously designated for President Donald Trump’s political allies.

• Author Matt Ford argues that the U.S. legislative branch has suffered a steady degradation as the executive and judicial branches have aggressively seized power. • The piece highlights legal doctrines such as the Major Questions Doctrine and the erosion of Chevron Deference as key factors in the Supreme Court's expanding influence.

• President Donald Trump announced the launch of "major combat operations" against Iran on February 28, involving massive joint strikes conducted by the U.S. and Israel. • Simultaneously, U.S.-facilitated diplomatic talks between Lebanon and Israel commenced on Tuesday in Rome to address regional security threats.

• Spain successfully returned approximately 70,000 of the 72,000 migrants who illegally entered Ceuta last week back to Morocco. • Spanish Interior Minister Juan Ignacio Grande-Marlaska defended the operation, stating that the Schengen zone remained secure despite criticism from some European governments.

• Spain's Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska provided updated estimates on migrants who entered Ceuta last week as the Spanish government approves millions in funding to manage the crisis. • During emergency talks on Tuesday, EU ministers discussed the situation, with Denmark and Italy specifically pushing for more stringent migration measures.

• EU interior ministers held an emergency meeting to support Spain and ease diplomatic tensions following a crisis involving Morocco. • The gathering was prompted by a broad Europe-wide backlash against the migration policies implemented by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

• Approximately 60,000 Moroccans have crossed into Spanish territory, triggering a significant border crisis. • The scale of the influx is fueling an "invasion" narrative that is causing deep concern among European political leaders.

• Italy has suspended free movement and border-free travel with Spain following a deadly crossing incident in Ceuta. • Analysts suggest the decision is driven by political motivations rather than practical security needs.

• The European Commission has offered Morocco increased support to manage the borders of Ceuta and Melilla, emphasizing that border security is a "shared European responsibility." • EU interior ministers are scheduled to meet this Tuesday to discuss coordinated actions and security measures to address the migration crisis.

• The US Senate Judiciary Committee voted along party lines to advance Todd Blanche’s nomination for Attorney General. • Ranking member Senator Dick Durbin expressed skepticism over Blanche's assurances that the Trump administration would not reinstate a $1.8bn "anti-weaponization" fund.