The Patriot Post® · Monday Executive News Summary
Todd Blanche confirmed
By a vote of 50-49, the Senate on Saturday confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general, a role he had been filling as acting AG since President Donald Trump fired Pam Bondi in April. Blanche’s confirmation followed weeks of wrangling from Republican Senators Thom Tillis and Bill Cassidy, who insisted on seeing an official agreement eliminating the anti-weaponization fund before supporting Trump’s pick. Still, the vote was extremely narrow after two Republicans, Alaska’s Lisa Murkowski and Maine’s Susan Collins, sided with Democrats in voting against Blanche. Murkowski cited concerns over Blanche’s role in releasing the Epstein files, whereas Collins viewed him as not independent enough given his previous service as Trump’s personal lawyer. “Mr. Blanche has taken several actions that have further eroded the Department’s independence, and that is the basis for my vote to oppose his confirmation,” Collins argued.
Court stops ballroom
In a 2-1 decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit halted above-ground construction on the new East Wing of the White House. The plaintiff, a passerby whose standing was determined by the “eyesore” nature of the demolished building, succeeded in forcing the eyesore to persist until Congress grants approval for the construction or the Supreme Court overturns the decision. In a blistering dissent, Judge Neomi Rao argued that the security concerns surrounding stopping construction far outweigh the “aesthetic displeasure of a single passerby.” The decision was immediately put on hold for two weeks to allow the administration to appeal to the Supreme Court.
Lindsey Graham’s last act easily passes Senate
In a fitting tribute, the final fight that Senator Lindsey Graham waged in Congress will come to fruition, as the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act passed overwhelmingly in the Senate in a bipartisan vote. This bill aims to impose massive tariffs on the top five Russian energy buyers and render Russian imports virtually impossible. While the idea of universal tariffs has been criticized by many on both sides of the aisle, this bill does not seek to drive the world away, but rather to target a select few economies. Ideally, targeting the top five buyers will put pressure on them to choose between the expansive American market and buying Russian oil/energy, which is a choice that should be seen as hampering Russia’s economy or their own.
Trump backs Graham’s sister
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster appointed Darline Graham to serve the final six months of her late brother Lindsey’s term. President Trump then endorsed her for a full six-year term. Several other Republicans are vying for the Senate seat, and few expect anyone to clear the 50% majority in tomorrow’s primary, which would force a runoff. Graham is facing criticism for her policy preferences, jumping ranks, and limited campaign appearances. State Rep. Jay Kilmartin argued, “Giving a Senate seat out like it’s a condolence card is absolutely ridiculous.” Although previous politicians have overcome controversy and ridden the president’s endorsement to victory, the endorsement doesn’t always make the difference in tight races. Two months ago, Trump’s candidate lost the South Carolina gubernatorial primary. Trump is holding a virtual rally for Graham this evening.
Judge green-lights DOJ prosecution of SPLC
Alabama Judge Emily Marks has ruled against the Southern Poverty Law Center’s claim against the Justice Department that its criminal case against the civil rights organization was motivated by “animus.” The DOJ raised a criminal fraud case against the SPLC following an investigation into a scheme wherein the organization was funding the very hate groups, like the KKK, it ostensibly exists to oppose. “The court has little trouble concluding that the SPLC offers insufficient objective evidence that [U.S. Attorney Kevin Davidson] or any other prosecutor in the Middle District of Alabama was vindictively motivated to indict the SPLC for the exercise of its First Amendment rights,” Marks wrote. “Nor does the SPLC provide evidence that Mr. Davidson was directed to bring the present charges by a superior with a vindictive motive.” The DOJ is now free to move forward with its case.
Trump admits pool wasn’t vandalized
After repeatedly claiming foul play, President Trump admitted on Truth Social that the damage to the reflecting pool was caused by a “contractor error done by rushing the job for a July 4th opening.” He added, “Unfortunately, there is no video or proof” of sabotage other than the damage itself. The admission came just one day after Trump posted photos of the supposed vandalism and shortly after he blamed District Attorney Jeanine Pirro for dropping the ball. The president also revealed plans to install more cameras around the pool. The DOJ has dropped criminal charges against multiple people accused of vandalism, even though Trump urged the DOJ to revisit the charges.
Joe Biden health update
Hunter Biden spoke on Friday about his father, former President Joe Biden, and his battle with cancer. “I wish he would complain more because it’s not good,” Hunter said of his dad. “The cancer has spread; it has metastasized into his bones.” Jill Biden recently remarked that Joe was “doing OK” but that he will live with the cancer for the rest of his life since it has spread throughout his body. Hunter spoke further about his father, commenting on how grateful he was for the “not fair” pardon he received for his laundry list of offenses. “It’s something that is easily criticized, and for good reason,” Hunter said. “He chose me over his legacy.”
DOJ investigates Duke Law
In this episode of DEI ruining the reputations of elite institutions, the Department of Justice has launched an investigation into Duke University Law School’s blatantly racist admissions standards. Duke Law stands accused of violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 in how it assembled its first-year classes between 2023 and 2025. According to Harmeet Dillon, the assistant attorney general at the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, “At Duke Law, rejected white & Asian applicants had higher LSATs than admitted black applicants. With similar credentials, black applicants have a 3.5x higher chance of admission than Asians.” With stories like these, it’s not surprising that some of the ostensibly best-educated people in this country have remarkably uneducated voting behaviors.
Biden’s Air Force Sec gets security clearance pulled by Pentagon
A former Biden administration official, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall, has had his security clearance revoked by the Defense Department for leaking classified information about Air Force One to media outlets. Chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a Friday statement, “Safeguarding classified information is a non-negotiable duty. Those who violate that trust forfeit the privilege of access and any role requiring it.” He added that this bars Kendall from holding any government-related sensitive positions. The Pentagon has not given any details about the leaks. It is tradition to allow some high-ranking former officials from previous administrations to keep their security clearances after they leave office. This allows incoming administrations to consult with former senior leaders to gain perspective on past decisions or operations, and assistance if a crisis arises.
Hundreds freed in Nigeria from Islamist captors
In the largest single-day rescue operation in Nigeria’s history, 308 people, mostly women and children, were freed from their jihadist captors by Nigerian forces. Many of the victims came from the Woro community in Kwara State, where 160 people were kidnapped and another 160 killed during a February 3 raid. Victims said they believed they were kidnapped for refusing to accept Islam, with one of the women saying captors constantly asked if they had accepted jihad yet. The Christians of Nigeria, who make up about 45% of the country, continue to face persecution by the militant Islamic insurgency in the north. The same pattern of violence has been seen in other places in the country where terrorists attack villages, churches, and pastors. Nigerian Christians accounted for 72% of the total number killed globally for their faith from October 2024 to September 2025.
Headlines
Senate passes government funding stopgap, leaves town (Center Square)
Alito says “I’m here for another term,” dismissing retirement speculations (Washington Examiner)
White House fraud tracker exposes nearly $300B tab as health programs take center stage (Just the News)
China-free batteries made from salt are finally here (WSJ)
The Executive News Summary is compiled daily by Jordan Candler, Thomas Gallatin, Sterling Henry, Jacob Geoffrey, Hudson Baldwin, and Sophie Starkova. For the archive, click here.