Grassley Cancels Blanche Vote as GOP Senators Dig In

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) canceled a scheduled vote Thursday on Todd Blanche's nomination to become permanent attorney general, after negotiations failed to win over two key Republican holdouts. The move throws Blanche's confirmation into serious doubt and highlights growing tensions between President Trump and members of his own party.

Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) are refusing to back down on demands for a formal written declaration that a controversial settlement between President Trump and the IRS is dead. The deal included a $1.776 billion 'anti-weaponization' fund for alleged victims of political prosecutions and an agreement that the IRS would not audit the president's finances, his businesses, or his family members.

While the DOJ told a federal court last month the fund was effectively dead, the IRS audit agreement remains intact. Cornyn told reporters the DOJ has 'stonewalled' his request for written assurance.

'They've simply refused to cooperate,' he said.

With Republicans holding a narrow 12-10 edge on the panel, Blanche's path forward is precarious. Democrats are solidly opposed, giving Cornyn and Tillis outsized influence. Both senators were forced out or primaried by Trump and have just months left in office.

Cornyn said a meeting with Blanche scheduled for Wednesday was canceled. He told reporters he was 'not prepared to vote yes' on the nomination.

'Beats me. Maybe they think I'm just going to give up or, you know, go along, but they're mistaken,' he said.

Trump expressed confidence about the nomination, suggesting Cornyn may be 'upset with me because I didn't endorse him.' Trump backed Ken Paxton, who defeated Cornyn in the May primary.

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), who also lost to a Trump-backed primary opponent, told Semafor he is worried about 'lawfare' from the DOJ. 'I have to make sure that he is the attorney general who used to be the president's personal attorney, not the personal attorney who is also the attorney general,' Cassidy said.

While Cassidy cannot block the nomination alone, it remains unclear where more moderate members like Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) will land.

Paul Threatens Contempt Vote Against Fauci

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said he plans to hold a vote to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress after the former chief White House medical adviser invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination 111 times during a Senate hearing Wednesday.

Fauci accused Paul of calling him to testify hoping he would say something that could be used in a political prosecution. Paul argued Fauci may not be permitted to invoke the Fifth given the preemptive pardon he received from former President Biden last year.

'That'll be a legal question, but the question on contempt will be voted on, and then there's a question of whether or not the Department of Justice will take that up,' Paul told reporters.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier (R) announced after the hearing that he is launching an investigation into Fauci.

Trump Orders Heavy Airstrikes Against Iran

President Trump issued an emphatic response to Iran's surprise attack on U.S. forces in Jordan, pledging to 'beat the f---ing s--- out of them.' The U.S. followed through Wednesday evening with 'heavy' airstrikes against Iran lasting about two hours, hitting dozens of targets including military command centers, missile and drone facilities, and coastal surveillance sites.

U.S. Central Command said all missiles fired as part of Iran's attack were shot down Tuesday evening. The war is spreading across the region, with strikes on Saudi Arabia's Abqaiq oil processing facility and tankers at a port in Egypt. The U.S. and Saudi Arabia carried out joint strikes against Iranian-backed militia groups in Iraq.

'In the meantime, we're going to be hitting them very hard because it's our turn to hit them. They know it's coming,' Trump told reporters.

Dulles Airport Gets $22.5 Billion Makeover

Trump and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced a $22.5 billion renovation of Washington Dulles International Airport on Wednesday. The makeover includes an underground aerotrain system to replace the widely despised 'people movers,' 5 million square feet of new space, and 32,000 additional parking spots. The project will not be federally funded and will be covered by airlines.

Michigan Senate Primary: Progressive Leads Moderate

Progressive Abdul El-Sayed leads moderate Rep. Haley Stevens by 15 points in the latest poll of the Michigan Democratic Senate primary, just days before voters head to the polls. The Emerson College Polling survey shows El-Sayed ahead 54 percent to 39 percent. Electability remains a major issue, with Stevens arguing El-Sayed's nomination could hand the race to the GOP.

Medicare Part D Subsidies Ending

The Trump administration announced it will end the Medicare Part D subsidies program started during the Biden era. CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz said premiums will go up by less than $10 for most recipients, but experts warn enrollees could see larger increases. The change could create political headaches for the GOP as affordability remains a top voter concern.