Todd Blanche

• 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 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.

• 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.

• Donald Trump has threatened to withdraw the nomination of Todd Blanche for Attorney General after facing resistance from GOP senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis. • The tension stems from a stalemate in the confirmation process, with Trump suggesting he could simply renominate Blanche at a later date. • This confrontation risks fracturing Republican unity and creating political vulnerabilities for the senators as they seek reelection.

Republican John Cornyn says he will not back nomination without written confirmation $1.8bn slush fund is deadTodd Blanche’s hopes of becoming US attorney general seemed to be in jeopardy on Wednesday after the Department of Justice did not provide written assurances to a key Republican senator that a $1.8bn slush fund was dead.The US Senate judiciary committee will hold a vote on Thursday on whether to advance Blanche’s nomination. Continue reading...