Todd Blanche

• 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.

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...

• 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.

• 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...

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...