"A slap in the face to the rule of law" GOP senators capitulated on Todd Blanche's nomination to lead the DOJ—despite unanswered questions about Trump's IRS immunity deal, justice for Epstein survivors, and ethics concerns. The full Senate must vote no.

Judiciary Committee Vote Advancing Blanche’s Nomination Is Deeply Troubling for Rule of Law | Democracy Defenders Action

Following is a statement from Amb. Norm Eisen (ret.), on the Judiciary Committee’s vote today advancing Todd Blanche’s n

democracydefendersaction.org

BREAKING: 35 former federal judges filed an opposition brief to Trump’s attempt to pause sanctions in his IRS lawsuit. The court already found the case was brought in bad faith—now Trump wants to put the consequences on hold while he appeals.

35 Former Federal Judges File Opposition to Trump v. IRS Motion to Stay | Democracy Defenders Action

35 former federal judges filed a comprehensive opposition to Donald Trump’s expedited motion to stay in the case of Trum

democracydefendersaction.org

Cornyn and Tillis just advanced Blanche’s nomination after accepting one-sided documents, unsigned by Trump, that appear to keep tax audit protections for the president and his businesses. The full Senate shouldn't reward this with confirmation. Vote no on Todd Blanche.

Todd Blanche’s attorney general nomination will advance to full US Senate vote

Blanche, one of Trump’s most trusted legal aides, had confirmed in writing that $1.8bn slush fund for president’s allies

theguardian.com

"Completely hollow," DDA's Virginia Canter told @theguardian.com. "Nothing changes the terms of the actual settlement agreement, which cannot be modified without all parties’ consent. As a result, Blanche could reverse course tomorrow if he wanted." The Senate must reject Blanche's nomination.

‘Completely hollow’: critics denounce Blanche deal to halt Trump slush fund

Democrats say agreement – which clears way for Blanche’s confirmation – makes promises president can easily reverse

theguardian.com

BREAKING: 56 former judges urge SCOTUS to reject Trump’s emergency request to reshape mail voting less than 100 days before midterms. The order—already blocked 2x—risks disrupting elections and blocking eligible voters from the ballot box. We are proud to support w/@campaignlegal.org & Platkin LLP.

56 Former Judges Urge Supreme Court to Block Trump Order That Could Disenfranchise Mail-in Voters

56 former state and federal judges filed an amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to reject the administration’s attempt

democracydefendersfund.org

The Roberts Court is quietly reshaping American democracy–dismantling voting rights, empowering wealthy donors, and shrinking the legal ground to fight on. DDF’s Jacob Kovacs-Goodman explains, "We can have another 250 years, if we can keep it."

Term in Review: America at 250 and the Roberts Court’s Countermajoritarian Project

For more than two decades, Chief Justice John Roberts has presided over a Court that has dismantled democratic safeguard

democracydefendersfund.org

Sens. Blumenthal and Van Hollen held a spotlight hearing on Trump's crypto corruption & insufficient ethics guardrails in the CLARITY Act. As DDA’s Virginia Canter warned, Congress must demand divestment, disclosure & independent enforcement to protect American consumers.

Lawmakers Must Close the Crypto Conflict-of-Interest Loopholes or Scrap the CLARITY Act

Democracy Defenders Action and Transparency International U.S. condemned the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act and called

democracydefendersaction.org

Trump sued his own IRS for $10B. DOJ used that suit to create a $1.8B slush fund for Trump allies, including Jan. 6 rioters. A judge called it judicial manipulation. Now he's appealing! Seems he's fighting to keep abusing power for personal gain. www.nytimes.com/2026/07/31/u...

Trump to Appeal Judge’s Ruling Denouncing I.R.S. Lawsuit as Exercise in Self-Dealing

It was the latest sign that the president was doubling down on his fight for aspects of a deal that brings him vast benefits, even though they have jeopardized the confirmation of his pick for attorne...

nytimes.com

A democracy needs a free and plural media landscape. The Paramount-Warner merger could put CNN and CBS's historic news archives under one owner—giving a single company greater control over the footage that helps document our shared history. This is one of the reasons we're fighting back.

Film producers warn Paramount-Warner merger could restrict access to news archives

A group of film producers has urged the British culture minister to intervene in the proposed merger of ‌Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros Discovery and protect access to historical news footage used...

reuters.com

"The boss wants this money," Trump's fundraiser reportedly tells the billionaire CEOs he has shaken down for $800M+. They knew there was cost for access. Trump promised to drain the swamp but is instead flooding it and charging admission. www.wsj.com/politics/pol...

Exclusive | ‘The Boss Wants This Money’: Inside Trump’s Unprecedented Fundraising Operation

Meredith O’Rourke, nicknamed ‘princess of darkness,’ carries out the president’s desire to wring hundreds of millions from companies for his projects.

wsj.com

Todd Blanche's nomination is faltering because of unanswered questions about his conduct and the DOJ's independence. Trump's response? Wait until the senators demanding answers are gone, then try again. Delaying the vote won't change the facts. The Senate should vote no.

Trump floats pulling Blanche's nomination for attorney general to avoid conceding to GOP demands

President Donald Trump says he may withdraw and delay Todd Blanche’s nomination as attorney general until Republican sen

apnews.com

Trump’s DOJ is asking the Supreme Court to let taxpayers foot the bill for Trump’s personal $83 million defamation judgment. This is exactly why Todd Blanche is unfit to lead the DOJ: he continues to put the president’s personal interests ahead of the American people.

Trump, DOJ appeal E. Jean Carroll defamation suit verdict to Supreme Court

President Trump and the Department of Justice (DOJ) are petitioning the Supreme Court to review writer E. Jean Carroll’s

yahoo.com

History shows that attacks on democracy often start with efforts to control the information people rely on. That’s why we’re helping lead the #BlockTheMerger coalition: to protect a free and independent press. The fight is far from over. www.nytimes.com/2026/07/29/o...

Opinion | Could Jettisoning CNN Save the Paramount Merger?

It’s a thorn in the side of David Ellison’s paused dream.

nytimes.com

“The fox guarding the henhouse” is one of the loopholes Congress must confront. DDA’s Virginia Canter warned that the CLARITY Act needs ethics protections to stop Trump—and future officials—from profiting from industries they oversee.

OUTRAGEOUS. Blanche told Congress the slush fund was dead. Today: Blanche’s DOJ paid 7-figures to a Trump-pardoned ally. He's Trump’s lawyer, not the people’s. And he’s using our tax dollars to reward convicted loyalists & push Trump's narrative. Senate should vote no.

With Blanche Nomination at Stake, Payouts to Trump Allies Continue (Gift Article)

A seven-figure settlement is announced two days before a scheduled Senate committee vote on Todd Blanche’s nomination to be attorney general.

nytimes.com

The Paramount-Warner merger was supposed to be a done deal. It wasn’t. We helped sound the alarm about the dangers of unchecked media consolidation & joined others pushing back through legal action and public pressure. Democracy is defended by those who refuse to give up. We’re not done fighting.

Opinion | A Setback for the MAGA Media Takeover (Gift Article)

Trump is beatable if you take a page from his playbook and flood the zone with opposition.

nytimes.com

In @nytopinion.nytimes.com “As Trump looks ever less indomitable, so does his dream of remaking American culture in his image,” our columnist Michelle Goldberg writes.

Opinion | A Setback for the MAGA Media Takeover

Trump is beatable if you take a page from his playbook and flood the zone with opposition.

nyti.ms

We need real ethics reform. The minimum Congress can do is close loopholes in the CLARITY Act to prevent abuses and self-dealing by government officials. Anything less is insufficient to protect Americans and the public trust.

Lawmakers Must Close the Crypto Conflict-of-Interest Loopholes or Scrap the CLARITY Act

Democracy Defenders Action and Transparency International U.S. condemned the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act and called

democracydefendersaction.org

HAPPENING NOW: The Senate is examining Trump’s crypto conflicts of interest. DDA Chief Counsel Virginia Canter will testify on why crypto legislation must include real ethics protections to prevent corruption and protect public trust. www.youtube.com/live/GkyoL7e...

Spotlight Forum: Trump's Crypto Corruption

YouTube video by SenatorBlumenthal

youtube.com

The Paramount-Warner merger was paused last week—a win for advocates demanding scrutiny. But UK actors & crews are sounding the alarm too: this merger would decimate British film, TV, & journalism. Media consolidation is anti-democratic. Leaders on both sides of the pond must act.

A TV and cinema calamity could be disastrous for what you watch and what you know. Act now to stop that | Alan Cumming, Benedict Cumberbatch and Benedict Wong

The Paramount-Warner Bros merger is being fought on both sides of the Atlantic. Britain’s culture secretary knows the ri

theguardian.com

If Congress is serious about protecting American consumers, it can't settle for half-measures. The Senate should close every crypto conflict-of-interest loophole—including existing holdings and family carveouts—or reject the CLARITY Act.

Lawmakers Must Close the Crypto Conflict-of-Interest Loopholes or Scrap the CLARITY Act

Democracy Defenders Action and Transparency International U.S. condemned the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act and called

democracydefendersaction.org

"The ultimate guardrail no authoritarian script can replace is the voters themselves." DDA Executive Director Susan Corke explains how Americans can recognize the authoritarian playbook—and why our strongest defense is refusing to accept it as normal.

We Cannot Dismiss Trump’s Speech on Election Conspiracy Theories

It was part of the authoritarian playbook, and he's following it to the letter.

contrariannews.org

BREAKING: Paramount freezes Warner Bros. merger while antitrust lawsuit brought by 12 state AGs continues. The freeze comes after months of pushback from industry professionals and everyday consumers who would face higher prices and fewer choices.

BREAKING: Paramount agreed to delay its merger with Warner Bros. Discovery while the states' lawsuit proceeds Proud to be part of the coalition opposing this dangerous merger & standing up for independent journalism, competition & our democracy👇 -TN

Paramount Agrees to Delay Warner Bros. Merger for Months (Gift Article)

The company agreed to a proposed freeze until June 2027, unless a judge issues a ruling before then on a lawsuit blocking the deal.

nytimes.com

Tonight at 8 p.m. ET, join Not Above the Law & @legalafmtn.bsky.social LIVE as legal, civil rights, and accountability experts, including DDA's Norm Eisen, break down Todd Blanche's record, the stakes of his nomination, and why the Senate must reject his nomination.

Block Blanche: A Livestream on Why Todd Blanche Is Unfit to Be Attorney General · Not Above the Law

Todd Blanche spent years as Donald Trump's personal defense attorney. Now, as acting Attorney General, he's turned the D

mobilize.us

Ty Cobb was a federal prosecutor, a defense lawyer, and a lawyer in the Trump Administration – just like Todd Blanche. His assessment of Blanche is unequivocal. “Blanche is unfit to be Attorney General of the United States.”

Former Trump White House Lawyer Ty Cobb: Todd Blanche Is Unfit to Be Attorney General

Ty Cobb has served as a federal prosecutor, a private defense attorney and a lawyer in President Trump’s first White House. He knows the difference between serving the country and serving one…

youtube.com

Trump made billions from crypto while investors lost billions on his meme coin. Now, the House-passed CLARITY Act includes ethics language that would shield the president's crypto empire from meaningful oversight. The Senate must strip these self-serving provisions—or vote no.

Clarity Act Language Would Immunize Trump Digital Asset Ventures from Oversight | Democracy Defenders Action

The following is a statement from Virginia Canter, chief counsel and director of ethics and anti-corruption at Democracy

democracydefendersaction.org

"We are experiencing unprecedented corruption in plain sight." Yesterday, DDA Exec Chair Norm Eisen joined members of Congress for a hearing examining the ethics and corruption concerns surrounding Trump's vanity projects. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/democrats-congress-trump-vanity-projects/

Democratic lawmakers slam Trump "vanity projects" in shadow hearing

Lawmakers hammered the president for bulldozing norms in pursuit of his construction goals and imposing his likeness on

cbsnews.com

www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUo2...

Monumental Waste: How Donald Trump Is Spending Millions Destroying American Landmarks

YouTube video by Oversight Dems

youtube.com

The most dangerous part of Trump's latest speech wasn't what he said. It was what the speech may be preparing Americans to accept.