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
Louisiana Man Charged with Murder After Fatal Shooting of U.S. Marshal During Arrest Attempt A Louisiana man has been charged with murder following the fatal shooting of a U.S. marshal who was attempting to arrest him at his home. Clarence A. Frazier Jr., 48, of Alexandria, faces one count of murder of a federal officer, a crime punishable by life imprisonment or the death penalty. The incident occurred on July 15, 2026, after Frazier failed to appear for a trial on rape and sexual battery charges. According to an FBI agent’s affidavit, authorities filed a complaint against Frazier after he was taken into custody on Monday. A federal magistrate unsealed the complaint on Tuesday, revealing that Frazier was arrested following a confrontation with marshals and sheriff’s detectives. The FBI agent, James Rimmer, stated that Frazier shot at the officers during the arrest attempt, fatally wounding Deputy Marshal Drew Hanson. The marshals and detectives had entered Frazier’s home to serve an arrest warrant for contempt of court, finding him in a bedroom. Frazier then barricaded himself in the room, leading to a standoff before his arrest. Acting U.S. Attorney Todd Blanche emphasized that Frazier would be “held accountable to the fullest extent of the law” in the federal court case. A federal public defender representing Frazier did not immediately respond to inquiries for comment. The charges against Frazier stem from a 2024 case in Rapides Parish District Court, where he was accused of third-degree rape and sexual battery on a person with infirmities. The latter charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Court records indicate that Frazier was scheduled to stand trial on July 15, 2026, but failed to appear.#alexandria #todd_blanche #clarence_a_frazier_jr #james_rimmer #drew_hanson
Trump’s DOJ Withdraws Subpoenas Targeting Washington Post and Wall Street Journal Reporters The Department of Justice (DOJ) issued and then withdrew subpoenas compelling journalists from The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal to testify under oath before a grand jury. The move came after a prolonged legal battle between the government and the two news organizations, which sought to block the subpoenas linked to national security leak investigations. The DOJ’s decision to withdraw the subpoenas, at least temporarily, has been framed as a troubling example of former President Donald Trump’s broader efforts to exert pressure on the media. The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal had been engaged in a secret legal fight to prevent the government from subpoenaing reporters in connection with probes into potential leaks related to military actions in Iran. The Journal first disclosed the probes last month, stating it was “vigorously” opposing “this effort to stifle and intimidate essential reporting.” The Post remained silent on the matter until Tuesday, when it confirmed that the DOJ had withdrawn the subpoenas earlier in June after the news organizations challenged them. A DOJ official familiar with the matter confirmed the withdrawal, though the episode remains a focal point of concerns about Trump’s influence over the media. Crucially, none of the journalists were ever required to testify about their anonymous sources. The Post confirmed that the subpoena targeting reporter Ellen Nakashima had been withdrawn, and a person close to the matter reported that the Wall Street Journal’s subpoena was also revoked several weeks ago.#department_of_justice #donald_trump #the_wall_street_journal #the_washington_post #todd_blanche
Justice Department Investigates Jennifer Siebel Newsom Amid Political Allegations The Justice Department’s probe into Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the wife of California Governor Gavin Newsom, has drawn public attention after Newsom accused the Trump-appointed administration of launching a politically motivated investigation. CNN confirmed that Siebel Newsom is under scrutiny, though a person familiar with the probe stated the investigation was initiated by the Sacramento-based U.S. attorney’s office, not the Justice Department’s Washington headquarters. The case centers on tax-related conduct, with investigators examining Siebel Newsom and others connected to Newsom. Federal investigators have conducted interviews with potential witnesses and issued grand jury subpoenas, according to a person close to the probe. Newsom’s office reported that records related to the family’s finances may have been subpoenaed, though it has not confirmed documentary subpoenas were issued. The investigation, which began last year, is being handled by teams in Sacramento and Washington, D.C., according to two sources. Newsom, a prominent critic of President Donald Trump and a potential 2028 presidential candidate, has publicly condemned the probe as an attack on his family. In a statement, Siebel Newsom called the investigation “presidential behavior” and vowed to “speak truth to power,” adding, “If they can’t intimidate me, they’ll go after the mother of our children.” She denied any wrongdoing and emphasized the family’s transparency. The probe into Siebel Newsom is separate from other investigations involving Newsom’s inner circle.#justice_department #gavin_newsom #xavier_becerra #todd_blanche #jennifer_siebel_newsom
Cracks emerge in GOP support for Trump’s agenda Republicans on Capitol Hill are increasingly resisting President Donald Trump’s policy initiatives, signaling a shift in the party’s alignment despite his continued influence. While no outright rebellion has occurred, several key legislative and procedural battles highlight growing tensions within the GOP. The House of Representatives recently passed a resolution urging Trump to withdraw U.S. forces from the Iran war, with the backing of four Republicans. This marks a notable departure from the party’s traditional unity, as some Senate Republicans have also begun to challenge two of Trump’s major proposals involving taxpayer funds. One of these proposals centers on an “anti-weaponization” fund, which Trump initially sought to establish to cover legal expenses for individuals he claimed were wrongfully prosecuted. The plan, which involved settling with his own Justice Department, faced opposition from several Senate Republicans. Similarly, Trump’s push for funding for the White House ballroom—a project he insisted would be privately financed—was met with resistance. Senate Republicans quietly removed the funding from a budget bill after determining it violated procedural rules, signaling their discomfort with the proposal. The resistance extends to Trump’s judicial nominations. Senators have pushed back against his picks for key positions, including Bill Pulte for national intelligence director and Todd Blanche for attorney general. The opposition has been particularly pronounced among senators facing re-election challenges. For instance, Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Jon Husted of Ohio, and Dan Sullivan of Alaska—all running in competitive races—voted with Democrats to block the “anti-weaponization” fund.#donald_trump #senate_republicans #todd_blanche #house_of_republicans #bill_pulte
Judge Reopens Trump’s IRS Suit to Examine $1.8bn Settlement with Justice Department A federal judge in Miami has reopened Donald Trump’s $10bn lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), following a third-party motion alleging that the settlement, which lacks detailed terms, is “a product of collusion and is itself a fraud on the court.” The ruling by Judge Kathleen Williams, an Obama appointee, revives a case initially filed by Trump and his sons against the IRS after their personal and business tax returns were leaked by a former contractor. The case had been dismissed earlier this month, but Williams ordered a review after a bipartisan group of 35 former federal judges urged her to scrutinize the settlement. The lawsuit, which Trump had dropped last week, centered on allegations that the IRS improperly accessed and disclosed his tax returns. In exchange for dropping the case, Todd Blanche, the acting attorney general and former Trump defense lawyer, reportedly secured a provision barring the U.S. government from auditing the Trump family’s tax returns indefinitely. This “forever” clause has drawn significant criticism, with the judge questioning its validity, noting that only Blanche signed the provision. The settlement includes a controversial $1.8bn “anti-weaponization” fund, intended to compensate individuals claiming they were victims of federal overreach. Critics, including lawmakers and some Republicans, have labeled the fund a “slush fund” and a political liability, arguing it could be used to reward Trump’s political allies while indirectly benefiting the family.#donald_trump #internal_revenue_service #todd_blanche #judge_kathleen_williams #charles_littlejohn
Trump Administration Targets Immigration Judges to Speed Up Deportations The U.S. Department of Justice, under the leadership of acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, has announced plans to remove immigration judges deemed too slow or uncooperative with the administration’s deportation agenda. Blanche made these remarks during a press conference in Washington on April 21, 2026, following his appearance at the annual Border Security Expo in Phoenix. The event brought together immigration officials, law enforcement agencies, and federal contractors, highlighting the administration’s focus on immigration and border security. Blanche’s comments marked one of the most detailed public statements on immigration court reforms since he assumed his role after the resignation of Pam Bondi earlier this year. The Trump administration has prioritized large-scale deportations as a core policy goal, aiming to address what it describes as a backlog of over 3.7 million immigration cases. To accelerate this process, the government has intensified immigration enforcement in major cities, expanded detention centers, and increased hiring of immigration agents. However, the efficiency of deportations hinges on the immigration courts, which are managed by the Department of Justice rather than the federal judiciary. Unlike federal courts, where judges have lifetime appointments and strict procedural rules, immigration judges can be removed by the Department of Justice without significant legal hurdles. Blanche emphasized that the administration is targeting judges who allegedly delay cases or fail to apply immigration laws “by empathy for individuals.” He stated, “One takes an oath and is not allowed to make decisions based on what seems to please you or by caprice.#department_of_justice #trump_administration #todd_blanche #american_immigration_lawyers_association #border_security_expo
Justice Department Rolls Back Gun Regulations Amid ATF Leadership Confirmation The U.S. Justice Department announced sweeping changes to federal gun regulations on Wednesday, marking a significant shift in firearm policy that aligns with the priorities of Second Amendment advocates within President Donald Trump’s political base. The revisions, which include the repeal of a 2024 Biden administration rule requiring firearms dealers to conduct background checks on buyers at gun shows and other non-physical retail locations, were signed shortly after the Senate confirmed Robert Cekada as the new head of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The proposed changes target what critics describe as the “gun show loophole,” a provision that previously allowed unlicensed dealers to sell firearms without performing background checks on buyers. This loophole, which has been a focal point of gun control debates, was addressed by the Biden administration’s 2024 rule, which aimed to close it by mandating background checks for all firearm sales outside traditional brick-and-mortar stores. However, the new revisions seek to reverse this policy, with Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche calling the overhaul “the most comprehensive regulatory reform package in the history” of the ATF. Blanche argued that the changes align with Supreme Court precedents and reduce unnecessary burdens on lawful gun owners and dealers. Gun control advocates condemned the move as reckless, particularly in the wake of a recent incident in which a man armed with firearms and knives attempted to storm the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.#justice_department #atf #robert_cekada #everytown_for_gun_safety #todd_blanche
