Blanche

• Todd Blanche delivered his first official speech as the new leader of the Justice Department, addressing tens of thousands of staff members. • In a bid to stabilize the agency, Blanche utilized a decidedly optimistic and supportive tone to calm employees during the leadership transition. • The address is significant as it marks the beginning of Blanche's tenure and his initial attempt to establish rapport with the department's workforce.

Loyalist sworn in after Senate voted narrowly in favor of his confirmation Saturday morningTodd Blanche has been sworn as US attorney general, cementing Donald Trump’s installation of his former personal attorney in charge of the Department of Justice.Blanche, who has been serving as acting attorney general since April, was confirmed in his new position during a ceremony at the White House on Monday. Continue reading...

• The Republican-led Senate narrowly confirmed Todd Blanche as Attorney General in a 50-49 overnight vote. • Blanche secured the position after winning over GOP holdouts by pledging to eliminate the "anti-weaponization fund." • The appointment is significant as President Trump has openly expressed a desire to utilize the Department of Justice to investigate his political opponents.

• The article reflects on the 61st anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, a landmark piece of legislation signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson following the Civil Rights Movement. • It emphasizes that the Act was not merely a government gift but a hard-won victory resulting from grassroots activism and struggle. • The piece argues that U.S. democracy is currently facing new tests, drawing a parallel between the historical fight for suffrage and contemporary legal and political challenges.

Donald Trump’s former defense lawyer confirmed by 50 votes to 49 early on Saturday morning, with senators deferring action on president’s voting bill until after recessTodd Blanche faced heavy criticism for the department’s sloppy rollout of files related to Jeffrey Epstein, which redacted information that should not have been redacted and left unredacted the names of victims that should have been kept private.During his confirmation hearing, Blanche refused to personally meet with Epstein victims, then agreed to do so. The survivors said they received few answers from Blanche during the meeting.Mr Blanche is not perfect, and he will tell you this, but the choice is not between perfection and Mr Blanche.It is between Mr Blanche and another acting attorney general who may not run the department effectively under President Trump and who indeed may not be as good as Mr Blanche. Continue reading...

Major win for president as former personal lawyer wins approval despite outcry over $1.8bn slush fundThe US senate voted to confirm Todd Blanche as attorney general in a major win for Donald Trump, who will now have his one-time personal attorney sitting atop the nation’s law enforcement apparatus.Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana cast the deciding vote in Blanche’s favor after two other Republicans – Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska – voted against him. Every Democrat rejected Blanche’s nomination. Continue reading...

• Republican Senator Bill Cassidy announced his support for Todd Blanche’s nomination as attorney general. • This endorsement is a critical step in securing the necessary support for Blanche to lead President Donald Trump’s Department of Justice. • Cassidy's backing signals a growing consensus among key Senate Republicans, reducing potential hurdles for the nomination process.

• Senator Bill Cassidy announced his support for Todd Blanche to become the U.S. Attorney General, following the defection of other senators. • Cassidy's endorsement comes as he prepares to leave Congress after losing his Louisiana primary to a candidate backed by Donald Trump. • In a separate development, Republican Senate nominee Mike Rogers of Michigan released a video appealing to Democratic voters.

Alaska Republican is concerned that proposed fund to compensate January 6 rioters will proceed even though Blanche confirmed it was deadUS politics live – latest updatesLisa Murkowski, Alaska’s moderate Republican senator, announced early on Friday that she will not vote for Donald Trump’s nomination of Todd Blanche as US attorney general, leaving his elevation from “acting” to official confirmation in the post even narrower.Murkowski issued a statement expressing her concerns that the Trump administration could proceed with its proposed fund to compensate rioters who invaded the US Capitol on January 6 in a failed attempt to overturn Joe Biden’s defeat of Trump in the 2020 presidential election. Continue reading...

• The House is proposing a measure to establish a dedicated office within the Defense Department to legally mandate and facilitate military cooperation between the United States and Israel. • This new office would oversee the joint development, testing, and rollout of advanced weapons and military technology. • A separate intelligence bill, likely to be merged with the defense legislation, would require the president and the director of national intelligence to expand intelligence sharing with Israel.

• The Senate Judiciary Committee narrowly approved Todd Blanche’s nomination for attorney general on Tuesday morning following a week of political uncertainty. • During the proceedings, Blanche accused the Biden administration of conducting politically motivated investigations, though he admitted the "weaponization" of the Justice Department was less intense in the previous administration. • Senator Charles E. Grassley, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, provided a key public endorsement to support the nomination's progress.

• 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. • This action is significant as it addresses potential conflicts of interest and financial controversies surrounding the nominee's ties to the administration.

• 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. • This nomination is critical as it determines the leadership of the Department of Justice and the handling of controversial federal funds.

Blanche, one of Trump’s most trusted legal aides, had confirmed in writing that $1.8bn slush fund for president’s allies was deadThe US Senate judiciary committee voted along party lines to advance Todd Blanche’s nomination for attorney general after he confirmed in writing that a planned $1.8bn slush fund for Donald Trump’s allies was dead. Experts say, however, that Trump could easily reverse the deal.His nomination will now proceed to the full Senate, where it will likely face intense skepticism from Democrats. Continue reading...

Trump’s former personal lawyer appears on track to become attorney general despite reservations over deal withdrawing ‘anti-weaponization fund’Critics denounce Blanche deal to halt Trump slush fundSign up for US Breaking News emailHello and welcome to the US politics live blog.President Donald Trump’s former personal lawyer Todd Blanche appears on track to become the next US attorney general after two Republican senators drop their opposition to his nomination.Trump declined to call for Rep Max Miller’s resignation following allegations of domestic abuse from his ex-wife, Emily Moreno. Trump said he has always known Miller as “a good person” and called the situation “a very sad thing.”In an 89-4 vote, the Senate voted to take up a measure that would temporarily keep the government funded and help avoid a shutdown in the fall. The measure, known as a continuing resolution, would maintain government funding at current levels through 11 December, with some adjustments for specific programs. The Senate is slated to debate the funding bill and move it closer to a final vote.A coalition of 25 US states sued the Trump administration over new tariffs pegged at 10% to 12.5% on goods from 60 trading partners, calling them a pretext for replacing import taxes struck down by the supreme court in February. The states are asking the US Court of International Trade to halt the tariffs, declare them unlawful and order refunds of duties that have already been paid. More here.Trump accused US attorney Jeanine Pirro of having “folded like an umbrella” amid reports that he was considering removing her from her post. Trump criticized Pirro on Monday after she dropped vandalism charges against a former Olympian accused of damaging the recently renovated Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool. More here. Continue reading...

• Republican Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis have agreed to support the nomination of Blanche for Attorney General. • The agreement follows a deal to ensure a specific fund is not created, addressing concerns that January 6th rioters could receive payments. • This resolution removes key GOP holdouts who sought written confirmation to prevent the potential misuse of funds for violent offenders.

Democrats say agreement – which clears way for Blanche’s confirmation – makes promises president can easily reverseA compromise between Todd Blanche and two Republican senators that potentially cleared the way for Blanche’s confirmation as attorney general is weak, Democrats and several experts said, as it makes promises Donald Trump can easily reverse.Blanche, the acting attorney general, posted two documents on Sunday evening showing he was withdrawing an 18 May order allowing for the creation of a $1.8bn weaponization fund and clarifying that broad tax immunity the justice department granted to Trump only applied retroactively to the president, his sons, and businesses. Continue reading...

Move comes after Blanche gives senators written assurance he will drop Trump’s $1.8bn anti-weaponization fundTwo Republican senators who threatened to block Todd Blanche’s bid to permanently become attorney general announced they will advance his nomination after he confirmed in writing that a planned $1.8bn slush fund for Donald Trump’s allies was dead.The US Senate judiciary committee is due to vote on Tuesday on whether to approve the nomination of Blanche, who is already acting attorney general, and send it to the wider Senate for a vote. Continue reading...

• Two Republican senators have reversed their previous threats to block acting Attorney General Todd Blanche's nomination to lead the Justice Department. • The senators announced on Monday, August 3, 2026, that they will now vote to advance Blanche's bid for the position. • This shift is critical as it removes significant GOP opposition, clearing a path for Blanche to be confirmed as the head of the DOJ.

Todd Blanche issues formal order terminating measure widely derided as a ‘slush fund’, in move that could clear path for his nomination as attorney generalActing US attorney general Todd Blanche issued a formal order late on Sunday terminating Donald Trump’s $1.8bn “anti-weaponization fund” to compensate his political allies, a move that follows weeks of negotiations with two Republican senators who were blocking his nomination to become attorney general.While Blanche has repeatedly said publicly that the fund was dead, the justice department had resisted formally confirming that in writing. That had drawn concern from lawmakers that it could be revived in some form, especially after Trump expressed continued support for the idea. Continue reading...

• President Trump held a Cabinet meeting at Camp David, where he discussed Iran and the Attorney General nomination of Matthew Blanche. • During the event, Trump announced a new deal requiring Hamas to disarm in exchange for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. • Meanwhile, Kamala Harris criticized the Supreme Court's 2024 ruling on presidential immunity, highlighting the court's current 6-3 conservative majority.

• The Senate Judiciary Committee postponed the vote on Todd Blanche’s nomination for attorney general after two GOP senators withheld support. • The delay stems from concerns over a settlement between Donald Trump and the IRS that provided tax audit immunity and established an “anti-weaponization” fund. • Separately, Iran vowed to "punish" the U.S. following a "heavy wave of strikes" conducted by the American military overnight.

President calls for former personal defense lawyer to be ‘immediately approved’ as attorney generalDonald Trump has defended controversial plans for a $1.8bn slush fund even as they threaten to derail the nomination of his former personal lawyer Todd Blanche for US attorney general.Blanche “should be immediately approved” by the US Senate, the president declared in a post on his Truth Social platform on Friday morning, defending the payout scheme proposed by his officials in the Department of Justice as it holds up Blanche’s confirmation. Continue reading...

• President Trump signaled on Thursday that he is prepared to withdraw the nomination of Todd Blanche for Attorney General. • The decision follows a standoff with Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis, who presented demands that Trump refused to meet. • This move highlights the president's willingness to sacrifice a key cabinet appointment to avoid conceding to political opponents.

• President Donald Trump indicated he may withdraw Todd Blanche's nomination for attorney general until Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis leave office. • The statement follows a decision by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday to postpone a scheduled vote to advance Blanche’s nomination. • This move highlights potential friction between the incoming administration and key Republican senators regarding the leadership of the Department of Justice.

• President Donald Trump announced he may withdraw or delay the nomination of Todd Blanche for attorney general. • The decision stems from a conflict with Republican senators who are currently seeking concessions before confirming the appointment. • This move highlights internal tensions within the GOP and could leave the Department of Justice without a permanent leader for an extended period.

Republican senators sought written limits on settlement, but president held firm despite risk to attorney general pickUS politics live – latest updatesDonald Trump’s refusal to officially end a hugely controversial agreement giving him broad tax immunity and creating a 1.8bn slush fund underscored how the US president’s own self interest takes precedence above all else in his government.For weeks, Todd Blanche, the acting attorney general, has said that the slush fund portion of the agreement was dead. And for a few brief hours on Wednesday, it seemed that the president might agree to a relatively modest request from two Republican senators to put in writing that there were certain limits on an extraordinary tax immunity deal. After all, it seemed like a small price to pay in exchange for getting Blanche, a staunch Trump loyalist who previously served as his personal lawyer, confirmed permanently as the US attorney general. Continue reading...

• The Senate Judiciary Committee postponed the vote to advance Todd Blanche's nomination for attorney general due to a lack of written assurances from the Justice Department. • Two Republican senators are seeking specific details regarding a settlement between Donald Trump and the IRS before proceeding with the nomination. • Simultaneously, Iran has vowed to "punish" the United States following a "heavy wave of strikes" conducted by the U.S. military overnight.