Cornyn and Tillis in discussions with White House to get Blanche across the finish line Sens. Thom Tillis and John Cornyn — two Republican senators who have been sidelined by the Trump administration for their perceived lack of loyalty — are now engaging in direct talks with the White House to secure the confirmation of Attorney General nominee Todd Blanche. The two lawmakers, representing North Carolina and Texas, are critical swing votes in the Senate Judiciary Committee, where their support is essential to advancing Blanche’s nomination. Their reluctance to commit to voting for Blanche has created a pivotal moment in the confirmation process, with the White House actively seeking to resolve their concerns. The Trump administration is working closely with Tillis and Cornyn’s aides to address the senators’ objections, particularly regarding the controversial settlement agreement Blanche brokered as deputy attorney general during the Trump administration. The agreement, which included provisions shielding Trump and his family from IRS audits and establishing a $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization fund,” has drawn bipartisan criticism. Critics argue the fund could serve as a slush fund for Trump’s allies, and both Tillis and Cornyn have demanded its elimination before they can support Blanche’s nomination. Cornyn, who recently lost a primary election to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton—a victory backed by Trump—has been vocal about his demands. During an interview on Capitol Hill, he stated that the White House is still negotiating two key aspects of the settlement: the IRS audit shield and the anti-weaponization fund. “Those are the issues we’re continuing to discuss with the administration to see whether we can get a modification of the settlement agreement,” Cornyn said.#white_house #thom_tillis #john_cornyn #ken_paxton #todd_blanche
Fed Chair Jerome Powell Subpoenas Blocked by Judge A federal judge has ruled to block subpoenas issued to the Federal Reserve as part of a criminal investigation into its chair, Jerome Powell, by prosecutors in the U.S. Attorney’s office for Washington, D.C., Jeanine Pirro. The court filing, disclosed on Friday, revealed that the judge’s decision prevents the prosecutors from compelling the Fed to provide documents or testimony related to the probe. The case centers on allegations tied to Powell’s involvement in costly renovations of the Federal Reserve’s headquarters and his testimony before the Senate Banking Committee regarding the project. Pirro is scheduled to provide an update on the investigation during a public statement on Friday afternoon. The timing of her announcement coincides with ongoing political tensions, as Senator Thom Tillis, R-N.C., has reiterated his opposition to confirming Kevin Warsh, President Donald Trump’s nominee to replace Powell as Fed chair. Tillis has stated he will not lift his block on Warsh’s nomination until the investigation of Powell is fully resolved. This legislative stalemate highlights the intersection of legal scrutiny and political maneuvering in the Federal Reserve’s leadership. Powell himself confirmed he became aware of the investigation by Pirro’s office, though he has not disclosed specific details about the allegations. The probe has drawn significant attention due to its potential implications for both the Fed’s independence and the broader economic policy landscape. Meanwhile, the legal battle over subpoenas underscores the challenges faced by prosecutors in accessing sensitive financial information, even as they navigate judicial oversight and political pressures.#federal_reserve #jeanine_pirro #jerome_powell #senate_banking_committee #thom_tillis
