The US Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general by a narrow vote, making President Trump's former criminal defense lawyer the nation's top law enforcement official. Blanche won the post after Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana broke with some Republican colleagues and backed the nominee. Senator Lisa Murkowski had already said she opposed the pick. The close vote highlighted divisions inside the Republican Party over Blanche's record and his ties to the president. Blanche takes over the Justice Department at a time of intense scrutiny over prosecutorial independence.
David Crowley, the Milwaukee County executive, won the Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor in a razor-thin race against state Representative Francesca Hong. Crowley had briefly dropped out of the contest before re-entering and rebuilding his campaign. His victory sets up a general election matchup against the Republican candidate backed by former President Donald Trump. The primary was one of the closest in the state's recent history, with the two candidates running neck-and-neck for days before Crowley pulled ahead. Political analysts say Crowley's appeal in Milwaukee and his record on local government helped him close the gap. The November race is expected to be one of the most watched governor contests in the country.
The US Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general in a narrow overnight vote. Blanche is President Trump's former criminal defense lawyer and now becomes the nation's top law enforcement official. The vote ended weeks of uncertainty and followed rare pushback from some Republicans. Senator Lisa Murkowski said she opposed the pick, while Senator Bill Cassidy's support helped save the teetering nomination. Democrats argued that Blanche's work for Trump creates conflicts of interest and questioned his independence. Blanche promised to run the Justice Department without political interference. He takes office during a busy period, with the midterm elections approaching and cases tied to the Iran war, border enforcement, and election security moving through the courts.
The U.S. Senate confirmed Todd Blanche, President Trump's former personal defense lawyer, as attorney general in a 50-49 vote. Two Republican senators, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, joined all Democrats in opposing the nomination. The vote came after an overnight session and followed rare public pushback from members of the president's own party. Blanche previously served as deputy attorney general and became acting attorney general in April. He is the second attorney general confirmed since Trump returned to the White House. His confirmation puts a close ally of the president in charge of the Justice Department at a time of intense debate over the department's independence.
The U.S. Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general in a narrow overnight vote on Tuesday, ending weeks of uncertainty over the nomination. Blanche, a former federal prosecutor who later defended President Trump in court, takes over a Justice Department strained by staff shortages, low morale, and crowded court dockets. Democrats opposed the nomination almost unanimously, saying his close ties to the president raise questions about the department's independence. Several Republicans also voiced doubts but voted to confirm. Senate Majority Leader John Thune pushed the chamber to finish before the August recess. Blanche pledged during his confirmation hearing to keep the department free from political pressure. Legal experts say his early decisions on pending cases will be watched closely.
The Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as US attorney general early Saturday in a 50-49 vote, ending one of the most contentious cabinet fights of President Donald Trump's second term. Blanche, Trump's former criminal defense lawyer, had led the Justice Department in an acting role since April. Republican senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski voted against him, while Bill Cassidy of Louisiana cast the deciding vote in favor. Democrats opposed the nomination over concerns about Blanche's independence and his past work for Trump. Blanche becomes the second confirmed attorney general since Trump returned to office.
The Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as U.S. attorney general early Saturday morning in a 50-49 vote. Blanche, President Trump's former personal lawyer, had been serving as acting attorney general since Pam Bondi was dismissed in April. All Democrats voted against him, joined by Republican senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski. Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana provided the deciding support. Blanche now leads the Justice Department, which employs more than 100,000 people, after a confirmation fight that exposed Republican divisions over the president's control of federal law enforcement. He had earlier drawn criticism over a $1.8 billion settlement he celebrated as ending the weaponization of the department.
Republican Representative Andy Ogles of Tennessee lost his primary on Tuesday, ending his congressional career after two terms. Ogles faced a crowded field in a redrawn Nashville-area district after the Tennessee Supreme Court ordered new maps for the 2026 midterms. Federal campaign finance charges became a central issue in the race. His defeat marks the latest upset in a primary season shaped by redistricting and internal party fights. Ogles, known for his hard-line positions and his role in the push to oust Speaker Kevin McCarthy, conceded and thanked supporters. National groups spent heavily on both sides, making it one of the most expensive House primaries of the year. The winner is favored in November in the Republican-leaning district.
A Senate committee voted to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress after he repeatedly invoked the Fifth Amendment during a hearing on the Covid-19 pandemic. The Republican majority backed the citation following a session in which Fauci declined to answer questions about his role in early pandemic messaging and the origins of the virus. Fauci has denied wrongdoing and said the Fifth Amendment was the safe course while the Justice Department reviews related documents. Democrats called the vote a political exercise and warned it could discourage public health experts from cooperating with Congress. The citation now moves to the full Senate, where a vote is not guaranteed.
Abdul El-Sayed, a physician and former Detroit health commissioner, won the Democratic Senate primary in Michigan, defeating Representative Haley Stevens. The race was one of the most watched of the year because Michigan is a battleground state that could decide control of the Senate. El-Sayed ran on universal health care, higher taxes on the wealthy, and climate action. The win boosts the progressive wing of the party, though results elsewhere were mixed: in Missouri, Representative Wesley Bell beat former Representative Cori Bush in a rematch. El-Sayed now turns to the general election, where Republicans say he is too far left for the state.