{"id":182093,"date":"2026-08-08T06:18:16","date_gmt":"2026-08-08T06:18:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/people\/182093\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T06:18:16","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T06:18:16","slug":"the-latest-gop-sen-cassidy-says-he-supports-blanche-likely-paving-way-for-ag-confirmation-3","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/people\/182093\/","title":{"rendered":"The Latest: GOP Sen. Cassidy says he supports Blanche, likely paving way for AG confirmation"},"content":{"rendered":"

Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy<\/a> said Friday he’ll back Todd Blanche\u2019s nomination<\/a> as attorney general, likely paving the way for Blanche to be confirmed to lead President Donald Trump\u2019s Justice Department.<\/p>\n

Blanche\u2019s prospective confirmation appeared threatened earlier Friday, when Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski announced her opposition. Murkowski cited concern that the administration could proceed with a $1.8 billion fund to compensate Trump allies, despite Blanche formally terminating it<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Also, an appeals court has ruled Trump must seek approval from Congress<\/a> to build his proposed White House ballroom, saying construction must stop. The U.S. Court of Appeals sided with historic preservationists who sued to stop construction. The court said it would stay its own ruling for two weeks to allow the administration to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.<\/p>\n

Here’s the latest:<\/p>\n

Department of Defense didn\u2019t say if former US Air Force secretary would be referred for prosecution<\/p>\n

The department alleged on X that former Secretary Frank Kendall had disclosed classified information to the media, and that they had consequently revoked his eligibility to access classified information. But the statement didn\u2019t specify if federal law enforcement would be following up,and the Pentagon didn\u2019t immediately respond to questions on the topic.<\/p>\n

Typically such accusations are partnered with referrals for prosecution over violations of the Espionage Act.<\/p>\n

A well-known example was when the Obama administration filed charges against Edward Snowden<\/a>, a former intelligence agency contractor who publicly disclosed a massive trove of secret documents about U.S. surveillance operations before fleeing to Russia.<\/p>\n

More recently, a federal judge sentenced a Massachusetts Air National Guard member to 15 years in prison in 2024<\/a> for leaking classified military documents about the war in Ukraine. That was the most consequential national security breach in years.<\/p>\n

Trump administration revokes former US Air Force secretary\u2019s \u2018eligibility\u2019 to access classified information<\/p>\n

Sean Parnell, a spokesperson for the Department of Defense, wrote on X that Biden-era secretary, Frank Kendall, has been barred from holding \u201cany sensitive position,\u201d citing \u201chis unauthorized disclosure of classified information regarding Air Force One\u2019s capabilities to a media outlet.\u201d<\/p>\n

Media outlets, including The New York Times, reported last month on security concerns over the new, Qatari-gifted Air Force One<\/a>. In response to the reporting, the Justice Department subpoenaed the newspaper\u2019s reporters<\/a> to try to compel them to out their sources. The department, after criticism from the judge, grudgingly withdrew the subpoenas<\/a>.<\/p>\n

On X, Parnell wrote that \u201csafeguarding classified information is a non-negotiable duty,\u201d though he did not specify which outlet Kendall allegedly shared information with.<\/p>\n

The former secretary did not respond to a call and text seeking comment.<\/p>\n

Brazil\u2019s Lula says Rubio ignores Trump in relationship with Latin America<\/p>\n

Brazil\u2019s President Luiz In\u00e1cio Lula da Silva said Friday he maintains a respectful relationship with Trump, placing the blame for recent U.S.-Brazil frictions on Secretary of State Marco Rubio.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe is either anti-Latin America or a frustrated Latin American,\u201d Lula said during a visit to S\u00e3o Jos\u00e9 dos Campos, accusing Rubio of hating Brazil, Cuba, and Colombia, while supporting former President Jair Bolsonaro and undermining agreements made with Trump.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe does things differently from what we discuss with Trump,\u201d the Brazilian president added.<\/p>\n

This week, the U.S. revoked Brazil\u2019s U.S. ambassador<\/a> \u2019s visa after Brazil denied visas to two State Department officials ahead of October\u2019s elections, where Lula faces Sen. Fl\u00e1vio Bolsonaro.<\/p>\n

Washington also cited delays in approving U.S. Ambassador nominee Daniel Perez, who cleared the Senate earlier, but awaits Brazilian authorization.<\/p>\n

US would end blockade if an acceptable Strait of Hormuz deal emerges, official says<\/p>\n

If an acceptable deal<\/a> is reached to reopen the Strait of Hormuz<\/a>, Trump would end the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports as long as the terms of the agreement are respected, a U.S. official said Friday.<\/p>\n

The administration has been told by regional mediators that a deal between Iran and Oman on the crucial waterway could be finalized in the coming days, the official said. The U.S. would study whatever comes from the Iran-Oman talks before taking a position.<\/p>\n

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal administration deliberations, reiterated that the U.S. would not accept any agreement that allows Iran to charge tolls or service fees or otherwise interfere with ships.<\/p>\n

\u2014 By Matthew Lee<\/p>\n

Trump announces more than $2B for critical minerals project and investment in mining schools<\/p>\n

The funding is for a variety of critical minerals projects to help produce the key elements needed for all kinds of high-tech products and weapons.<\/p>\n

The biggest share of that is a $1.4 billion loan from the Department of War to help Sila Nanotechnologies build a new lithium battery plant. Other investments include $150 million for Niron Magnetics to boost production of powerful magnets that don\u2019t require any rare earth elements and $400 million to help Sunrise Energy Metals build a scandium mine in Australia.<\/p>\n

In addition, Trump said his administration will invest $180 million in the schools that train miners.<\/p>\n

Colorado School of Mines President Paul Johnson said that over the past few decades \u201cour expertise has atrophied over time — particularly in the processing space.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trump has made it a priority to develop a supply of critical minerals outside of China, which dominates the mining and processing of the hard-to-pronounce elements that are crucial for missiles, nuclear subs, fighter jets and a variety of high-tech products.<\/p>\n

Zelenskyy grateful to Senate for passing sanctions bill<\/p>\n

The Ukrainian president said the measure would help increase pressure on Russia to bring an end to the over four-year war.<\/p>\n

\u201cUkraine values ALL the support the United States provides to Ukraine \u2014 from both parties and from the American people as a whole,\u201d Zelenskyy wrote in a post on social media.<\/p>\n

Zelenskyy said as Ukraine works to secure more air defense systems to help stop Russia\u2019s campaign to hit the country with large-scale ballistic missile attacks every signal of support for bringing a swift end to the war was extremely important.<\/p>\n

\u201cReal, strong American pressure and sanctions against Russia are what will help most. Diplomacy comes closer with every step that increases pressure on the aggressor. Thank you to everyone who understands this and is advancing PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH,\u201d Zelenskyy wrote.<\/p>\n

US hits Iranian digital asset exchanges with sanctions<\/p>\n

The Trump administration has hit two Iranian-linked digital asset exchanges with sanctions, alleging that the government in Tehran uses them to launder billions of dollars to support the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.<\/p>\n

The Treasury announced on Friday that it had imposed sanctions on SHPS Shelbit and the Shelbit Exchange, both Georgia-based companies, as well as their top executive, Siavash Kayvanpour, an Iranian-born businessman who lives outside of Iran.<\/p>\n

Treasury said the companies were also involved in a Persian-language gambling website network that is illegal inside of Iran but is still connected to the country\u2019s financial system.<\/p>\n

Senate confirms 74 Trump nominations, including TSA leader and ambassador to Brazil<\/p>\n

The Senate also confirmed David Cummins as head of the Transportation Security Administration, an agency facing persistent challenges<\/a>, particularly after this year\u2019s record partial government shutdown<\/a> left TSA employees working for weeks without pay<\/a>.<\/p>\n

He is taking over as the Trump administration seeks to expand private airport screening<\/a> and cut thousands of TSA jobs.<\/p>\n

Daniel Perez, a close friend of Secretary of State Marco Rubio and a former speaker of Florida\u2019s House of Representatives, was confirmed to be the next U.S. ambassador to Brazil. Perez has been central to an ongoing diplomatic dispute between the Trump administration and the government of Brazilian President Luiz In\u00e1cio Lula da Silva.<\/p>\n

Earlier this week, the State Department said the Brazilian government\u2019s refusal to accept Perez\u2019s appointment was a main reason for its decision to revoke the visa of Brazil\u2019s ambassador<\/a> to the United States.<\/p>\n

Senate confirms Cameron Hamilton to lead FEMA<\/p>\n

The Senate on Friday confirmed Cameron Hamilton<\/a> as head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency<\/a>, returning the former Navy SEAL to the embattled agency he led temporarily last year only to be fired after he publicly opposed eliminating it.<\/p>\n

He will take over an agency whose future has been uncertain since Trump threatened to get rid of it<\/a> days into his second term. Hamilton\u2019s nomination signaled that Trump may be moving on from that idea, but his Republican administration is still promising drastic changes<\/a> in how the government handles disasters.<\/p>\n

Hamilton will have to shepherd that overhaul while stabilizing an agency of more than 20,000 employees recovering from a slew of chaotic policies<\/a> enacted during Kristi Noem\u2019s tenure leading the Department of Homeland Security.<\/p>\n

He was among a group of 74 nominations approved by the Senate 51-47.<\/p>\n

Ukraine\u2019s foreign minister commends Senate for passing Russia sanctions bill<\/p>\n

Andrii Sybiha called it \u201can important step\u201d to further strengthening the sanctions regime against Russia.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis landmark legislation is a powerful demonstration of America\u2019s global leadership. I extend my sincere gratitude to the members of the U.S. Senate for their leadership, their principled bipartisan support, and their enduring solidarity with Ukraine. Together, we are bringing a lasting peace closer,\u201d Sybiha said in a post on X.<\/p>\n

Senate passes sweeping Russia sanctions bill negotiated by the late Sen. Lindsey Graham<\/p>\n

Passage of the bill Friday signals renewed bipartisan support for Ukraine as the war drags on.<\/p>\n

The legislation would penalize countries that continue to buy Russian oil, gas and other exports. It comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the Capitol late last month and watched from the gallery as the Senate took the first procedural votes on the legislation.<\/p>\n

The legislation allows the president to impose tariffs on the world\u2019s top five purchasers of Russian oil or natural gas, including China and India. The package next goes to the House.<\/p>\n

Army secretary gets inspiration from Ukraine\u2019s weapons advancements<\/p>\n

Army Secretary Dan Driscoll told The Associated Press that policy changes like making test ranges more accessible<\/a> to private companies developing drones and missiles have been driven in part by his observations of the war in Ukraine and how quickly that country has moved to produce new weapon systems.<\/p>\n

He had been a key interlocutor<\/a> during talks between Russia and Ukraine last year before those negotiations stalled.<\/p>\n

Hillary Clinton blasts Trump\u2019s White House changes<\/p>\n

The former first lady and secretary of state said the president\u2019s changes to the White House, such as gold trims added through the building, recall the decor of Saddam Hussein\u2019s palaces.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had meetings in some of his palaces and they were quite reminiscent of what we are seeing in our own White House,\u201d Clinton said in a podcast with Kara Swisher<\/a> posted on Friday.<\/p>\n

Clinton said she wasn\u2019t opposed to the idea of a ballroom, noting the need during her White House days to hold events in a tent if there were too many guests. But she said she was opposed to Trump\u2019s lack of process.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe next president is going to have a big decision,\u201d she said. \u201cWhat do you do with a half-finished ballroom?\u201d<\/p>\n

Graham gives closing argument for her brother\u2019s Russia sanctions bill<\/p>\n

Sen. Darline Graham of South Carolina has given the closing arguments for a bill that aims to penalize countries that purchase Russian oil and gas, depriving President Vladimir Putin of resources for his war against Ukraine.<\/p>\n

The bill is named after her late brother, Lindsey Graham, who spent more than a year trying to win support for the measure before he died.<\/p>\n

Darline Graham said the legislation her brother helped craft \u201chits Putin where it hurts.\u201d<\/p>\n

She says lawmakers had a choice to stand up to evil or continue with the status quo.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s time for a show of strength,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Colleagues from both parties applauded as she closed, something they rarely do after Senate speeches, an acknowledgment of just how personal the bill was for her brother.<\/p>\n

Trump says he will appeal ruling on ballroom, which he calls a ‘desperately needed Military Center’<\/p>\n

The president reacted to the ruling with a lengthy post on social media.<\/p>\n

In it, he said he will appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, quoted from a dissenting opinion issued by one of the judges and described the plans for the facility to include bomb shelters, a hospital and medical facilities, \u201cTop Secret Military Facilities\u201d and other security features.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Military and Secret Service are viewing this horrendous, politically motivated, and unlawful ruling as a National Security threat to our Nation in that the entire Complex is being built for the protection of our Country and, additionally, all future Presidents,\u201d Trump wrote.<\/p>\n

He also repeated his false claims that it will not cost taxpayer money. Congress refused the Trump administration\u2019s request for $1 billion for the ballroom<\/a> in May. In June, Democrats warned that $350 million<\/a> in funds appeared to have been redirected for the ballroom.<\/p>\n

Trump administration pledges $2B for humanitarian assistance to faith-based organizations<\/p>\n

The State Department announced the commitment with little fanfare on Thursday. The money will primarily find Samaritan\u2019s Purse, World Vision and Compassion International, it said.<\/p>\n

The move \u201cunderscores the Trump administration\u2019s commitment to partnering with organizations that demonstrate faith in action and have proven their ability to deliver health and humanitarian assistance in the world\u2019s most difficult environments.\u201d<\/p>\n

The three groups are all Christian charities and have been active in combatting the recent Ebola virus outbreak in Africa as well as delivering assistance in the Middle East and Latin America.<\/p>\n

National Trust for Historic Preservation reacts to ballroom ruling<\/p>\n

Brent Leggs, the nonprofit organization\u2019s president and CEO, said the appeals court ruling affirmed \u201cthe American people\u2019s right to voice their opinions about the historic places they cherish,\u201d including the White House.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a great day for our country,\u201d Leggs said. \u201cFrom the beginning, our position has been clear and consistent: the law states that only Congress can authorize the construction of a ballroom at the White House. We are pleased with the DC Circuit Court\u2019s decision to uphold the District Court\u2019s preliminary injunction, which although stayed for 14 days will block any above-ground ballroom construction unless and until Congress takes action.\u201d<\/p>\n

Army pushes for faster weapons development under new test range initiative<\/p>\n

The U.S. Army says it\u2019s opening up test ranges to private companies developing missiles, drones and other weapons in hopes of buying them more quickly for use on the battlefield.<\/p>\n

Army Secretary Dan Driscoll told reporters Friday at a range in Michigan that the effort will cut the red tape that can stifle military contractors. He pledged to grant companies access to ranges within 30 days of making a request through an online marketplace.<\/p>\n

The announcement comes as warfare is rapidly changing around the globe, particularly with the use of cheap drones in Ukraine and Iran. The Pentagon also is grappling with the costs of the Iran war, which has diminished the nation\u2019s stockpiles of advanced weapons.<\/p>\n

Trump says he kept Ogles endorsement out of loyalty<\/p>\n

The president tried to explain away why Rep. Andy Ogles, one of his handpicked endorsements, lost his primary in Tennessee on Thursday night.<\/p>\n

\u201cLast night was another good night for Endorsements, 8-1, and the 1 was a person who I remained loyal to even though he had virtually no chance of winning,\u201d Trump wrote on social media on Friday, referring to Ogles.<\/p>\n

Trump takes great pride in his endorsements and the mostly winning record he has in Republican primaries.<\/p>\n

Ogles was defeated by former state Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher. The president said Friday that Hatcher is a \u201cGreat \u2018Trump\u2019 Candidate\u201d and that he now has his \u201cComplete and Total Endorsement!\u201d<\/p>\n

Cassidy acknowledges political tightrope on Blanche vote<\/p>\n

The senator nodded to the realities of being a Republican who doesn\u2019t reflexively align with Trump.<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Blanche has become a referendum on how people feel about President Trump,\u201d he said. \u201cThis process should be about Mr. Blanche.\u201d He added, with emotion, \u201cI\u2019ll be criticized for this vote, but what\u2019s new.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cassidy criticized Blanche for initially approving a $1.8 billion fund to compensate Jan. 6 rioters, among others, and for endorsing a tax immunity deal for Trump.<\/p>\n

\u201cMr. Blanche is not perfect,\u201d Cassidy said, before arguing essentially that Blanche is likely better than anyone else Trump could nominate.<\/p>\n

Cassidy didn\u2019t acknowledge Trump\u2019s saying in an interview released Friday that he\u2019d keep Blanche as acting attorney general if the Senate rejected him.<\/p>\n

In either instance \u2014 Blanche\u2019s confirmation or continuing as acting chief \u2014 the president could fire him at any point, a legal reality Cassidy glossed over in his stated reasoning.<\/p>\n

Cassidy says confirming Blanche is better than Trump picking someone else<\/p>\n

The Louisiana senator seemingly secured confirmation for the president\u2019s acting attorney general after weeks of Senate wrangling.<\/p>\n

Cassidy affirmed on the Senate floor that he still worries about Trump\u2019s influence over the Justice Department, especially the prospects of a $1.8 billion fund for possible payouts to the president\u2019s supporters who stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. But Cassidy said, essentially, that confirming Blanche is better than allowing Trump to pick another potential Justice Department chief.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is not a referendum on President Trump, it is a decision regarding Mr. Blanche in very specific circumstances,\u201d Cassidy said.<\/p>\n

Republicans Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine had already said they wouldn\u2019t support Blanche\u2019s confirmation, effectively leaving his confirmation up to Cassidy.<\/p>\n

Cassidy voted to convict Trump on impeachment charges in 2021. He lost a Republican primary earlier this year after the president endorsed his opponent.<\/p>\n

Appeals court orders halt to White House ballroom construction<\/p>\n

An appeals court has ruled President Trump must seek approval from Congress to build his proposed White House ballroom, saying construction must stop.<\/p>\n

The U.S. Court of Appeals sided with historic preservationists who sued to stop construction. The court said it would stay its own ruling for two weeks to allow the administration to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhether or not a massive ballroom should be constructed is for Congress to decide and is not a matter for Executive self-help,\u201d the court wrote.<\/p>\n

\u25b6 Read more<\/a><\/p>\n

Sen. Cassidy supports Todd Blanche\u2019s attorney general nomination<\/p>\n

Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy<\/a> said Friday he\u2019ll back Todd Blanche\u2019s nomination as attorney general, likely paving the way for Blanche to be confirmed to lead President Trump\u2019s Justice Department.<\/p>\n

The Louisiana senator announced his support on the Senate floor after Blanche\u2019s confirmation was thrown into doubt over opposition from two other Republican senators, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine.<\/p>\n

Blanche\u2019s path to confirmation has been complicated over a settlement of Trump\u2019s lawsuit<\/a> against the Internal Revenue Service that\u2019s drawn intense scrutiny by Republicans and Democrats alike.<\/p>\n

The settlement called for the creation of a $1.8 billion fund to compensate<\/a> people who feel mistreated by the criminal justice system and provided Trump and family members with immunity from tax audits.<\/p>\n

\u25b6 Read more<\/a><\/p>\n

Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy said Friday he’ll back Todd Blanche\u2019s nomination as attorney general, likely paving the way…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":182094,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[121],"tags":[21363,12,12262,186,4266,51,4654,6178,681,1194,52],"class_list":["post-182093","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-marco-rubio","tag-bill-cassidy","tag-donald-trump","tag-lisa-murkowski","tag-marco-rubio","tag-mitch-mcconnell","tag-politics","tag-susan-collins","tag-todd-blanche","tag-u-s-news","tag-washington-news","tag-world-news"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@people\/117058437366474943","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/people\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/182093","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/people\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/people\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/people\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/people\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=182093"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/people\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/182093\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/people\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/182094"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/people\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=182093"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/people\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=182093"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/people\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=182093"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}