Storyline · since Jul 30
Blanche DOJ Fight
15 chapters · 452 articles · Jul 30 – Aug 17
coverage volume by day · left · center · right
Chapters
Latest
Todd Blanche Declines DOJ PledgeTodd Blanche refused to promise independence from Trump on prosecutions. · 27 articles
Aug 11
Todd Blanche Sworn InTrump's former personal lawyer formally takes the reins at the Justice Department. · 18 articles
Aug 10
Senate Confirms Todd BlancheThe GOP-led Senate approved Todd Blanche for attorney general after a tight overnight vote. · 22 articles
Aug 9
Senate Confirms Blanche 50-49The Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general 50-49 over both parties' defectors. · 81 articles
Show 11 earlier chapters — back to Jul 30Hide earlier chapters
Aug 8
Todd Blanche Won’t Rule Out ComstockTrump’s DOJ nominee left open using the Comstock Act to restrict abortion pills by mail. · 8 articles
Aug 8
Cassidy Clinches Blanche ConfirmationBill Cassidy became the 50th vote for Todd Blanche, clearing his path to attorney general. · 53 articles
Aug 7
Todd Blanche Confirmation Hits SnagsSenators weigh Trump ally Todd Blanche as absences and swing votes complicate confirmation. · 13 articles
Aug 7
IRS Union Sues Over Audit DealIRS workers seek to block a Trump tax audit immunity deal in court. · 8 articles
Aug 5
Todd Blanche NominationThe Senate Judiciary Committee advanced Todd Blanche's attorney general bid. · 43 articles
Aug 4
Blanche Secures GOP DealGOP holdouts back Todd Blanche after a deal over an anti-weaponization fund. · 40 articles
Aug 3
Blanche Confirmation FightTrump pressures GOP as Todd Blanche's AG confirmation faces fresh uncertainty. · 16 articles
Aug 2
Trump, Blanche Fund FightTrump says he may revive a compensation fund if Todd Blanche’s AG bid is blocked. · 22 articles
Aug 1
Trump, Cornyn StandoffTrump backs Todd Blanche while John Cornyn blocks his attorney general nomination. · 25 articles
Jul 31
Trump, Blanche, Senate FightTrump may withdraw Todd Blanche's AG nomination to pressure Senate Republicans. · 42 articles
Jul 30
Blanche Nomination DelayedGOP senators are withholding support over a DOJ fund, stalling Todd Blanche's confirmation. · 34 articles
Analysis & opinion
how commentators framed this across 15 chaptersProtecting DealLeans Left
Todd Blanche’s DOJ is portrayed as a vehicle for Trump’s personal and political interests, abandoning post-Watergate independence to shield him, reward allies, and pursue enemies.
Faded arguments
Settlement Standoff quiet since Aug 10
Republican senators, especially Bill Cassidy, are portrayed as capitulating to Trump by confirming Todd Blanche despite doubts, enabling a politicized Justice Department rather than checking him.
Fund not dead quiet since Aug 7
Todd Blanche’s move to rescind Trump’s IRS "anti-weaponization" fund may not end the deal: reports say the settlement still leaves legal traps and unresolved terms that could preserve Trump’s tax-audit shield and a potential $1.776 billion payoff.
Anti-Murkowski attack quiet since Aug 9
Murkowski and other establishment Republicans opposing Todd Blanche are acting out of hypocrisy or political calculation, undermining Trump’s nominees and the MAGA agenda rather than taking a principled stand.
Rightful Compensation Fund quiet since Aug 4
Todd Blanche is expected to advance toward Senate confirmation after dropping the DOJ’s Anti-Weaponization Fund, which was meant to compensate victims of alleged Biden-era government abuses such as Jan. 6 defendants.
Baseless Cassidy rationale quiet since Aug 8
Bill Cassidy’s rationale for supporting Todd Blanche—that Blanche’s record shows independence and fitness to lead DOJ—is unsupported and fails to justify confirming Trump’s former defense lawyer.
Get tomorrow's edition
Every side, every morning — free in your inbox.