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Republican senators express support for Blanche as attorney general after agreement on fund
Hello and welcome to the US politics live blog. Todd Blanche, former personal lawyer to President Donald Trump, is likely set to become the next US attorney general now that two Republican senators have backed down from opposing his nomination. The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to convene for a vote this morning regarding Blanche’s nomination following a delay last week. Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis were seeking assurances from the Department of Justice and the White House concerning President Trump’s settlement deal with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Cornyn and Tillis had previously refused to support Blanche’s nomination until they received confirmation that the fund meant for compensating those who feel they were unjustly prosecuted by the Justice Department would be eliminated. Blanche’s written order, released late Sunday, followed several days of negotiations between the Justice Department and these Republican senators who will leave Capitol Hill when their terms conclude in January. “We want to express our gratitude to Mr. Blanche and his staff for working with us on this, and we look forward to voting to advance his nomination out of the Senate Judiciary Committee soon,” stated Cornyn from Texas and Tillis from North Carolina. Blanche has made it clear that the Justice Department was abandoning plans for the fund, which had drawn bipartisan criticism over concerns that it could allow payments to violent rioters who attacked law enforcement during the Capitol riots on January 6, 2021. However, some lawmakers expressed skepticism, worrying that this issue might resurface without a formal commitment in writing, particularly since Trump continues to defend such ideas. Read the reaction to the story here: In other developments: Trump chose not to ask Rep Max Miller to resign after allegations of domestic abuse surfaced from his ex-wife, Emily Moreno. Trump mentioned he has always regarded Miller as “a good person” and described the situation as “a very sad thing.” In a vote of 89-4, the Senate agreed to consider a measure designed to keep government funding intact temporarily in an effort to prevent a shutdown later this fall. This proposal, known as a continuing resolution, aims to maintain current funding levels through December 11 while adjusting certain programs. The Senate is set to debate this funding bill ahead of its final vote. A coalition representing 25 US states has filed suit against the Trump administration regarding new tariffs ranging from 10% to 12.5% on imports from 60 trading partners. They argue these tariffs are merely an attempt at replacing import taxes previously struck down by the Supreme Court in February. The states are requesting that the US Court of International Trade stop these tariffs, declare them illegal, and mandate refunds for duties already paid. More here. Trump criticized US attorney Jeanine Pirro for having “folded like an umbrella” amid reports suggesting she might be removed from her position. He took aim at Pirro on Monday after she decided not to pursue vandalism charges against a former Olympian accused of damaging Lincoln Memorial’s reflecting pool recently renovated. More here. ShareSource link
