On Tuesday, August 4th, 2026, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to advance the nomination of acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to serve permanently in the role. Republican holdouts who had previously opposed the nomination ended their opposition, allowing the committee to move forward.

The nomination will now proceed to a full Senate vote. NBC News reporters Scott Wong and Gabe Gutierrez provided coverage of the senators' remarks both supporting and opposing the nomination during the committee process.

In related political news, Michigan Democrats made their final pitch in a high-stakes Senate race, described as a contest between an 'outsider' and a 'Midwestern gal.' Additionally, a Democratic candidate in Kansas emphasized 'mainstream' views as Republicans aim to flip an open governor's seat.

Other notable developments include former President Trump commenting on the Reflecting Pool vandalism case involving Jeanine Pirro, stating she "folded like an umbrella" after dropping the case and that she "made a mistake" in doing so. Trump also indicated that talks with Iran would resume after planned strikes were called off, giving Iran a "last chance" to make a deal before potential U.S. military action.

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