Public official in focus
The Senate Judiciary Committee is questioning Todd Blanche, acting attorney general, about his past with Trump, the handling of the Epstein files, and a controversial $1.8 billion fund; Republicans and Democrats press on independence and accountability as the nomination moves forward.
The Guardian reports deadly ICE incidents amid growing calls to abolish ICE and hold officials to account. Victims’ families urge prosecutions and retroactive liability, signaling a broader push for systemic reform and legal repercussions for those involved.
The House Judiciary Committee's criminal referral to the DOJ has escalated Republican efforts to scrutinize Jack Smith. The panel alleges Smith gave false statements about accessing lawmakers' text messages during the Arctic Frost investigation. The DOJ is not required to act on referrals, but the findings have intensified political pressure and calls for accountability.
The White House has named Will Scharf as White House counsel, effective Sept. 1, replacing David Warrington as the administration faces heightened scrutiny ahead of the midterms. Scharf, a former Trump lawyer and federal prosecutor, has also chaired the National Capital Planning Commission, with a major ballroom project and related legal disputes in play. The appointment signals a continued pattern of elevating former Trump aides to senior legal roles while Democrats promise investigations if they gain Congress.