Senate Confirms Todd Blanche as Attorney General

The US Senate confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general after Senator Bill Cassidy announced his support, providing the 50 votes necessary for confirmation with a tie-breaking vote from Vice President JD Vance. In a series of legislative actions, the chamber also passed the Lindsey O Graham Sanctioning Russia Act (86-11), which imposes sanctions on Russia and grants President Donald Trump the authority to levy tariffs on top importers of Russian oil. Additionally, the Senate extended government funding through December 11 and confirmed David Cummins to lead the TSA and Cameron Hamilton as FEMA administrator.

Parallel legal battles have emerged for the administration. A federal appeals court ordered the government to halt construction of a $400 million White House ballroom, a ruling Donald Trump vowed to appeal to the Supreme Court. Simultaneously, the administration is moving to fire Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook, despite a previous Supreme Court ruling regarding the removal of governors.

In other judicial developments, a federal judge allowed the termination of deportation protections for South Sudanese nationals.