INTERNACIONAL
Trump AG pick Blanche stalled as key Republicans refuse to budge
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Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s chances of confirmation were derailed Wednesday, less than 24 hours before a pivotal vote in the Senate.
It’s another chapter in the troubled saga that has followed Blanche since he was tapped to replace former Attorney General Pam Bondi and one that boils down to issues among Blanche, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and two key Republicans who control his fate in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Senators John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Thom Tillis, R-N.C., are demanding that the DOJ provide explicit, written proposals to modify the settlement deal reached between the IRS and President Donald Trump and his family earlier this year.
TRUMP AG PICK TODD BLANCHE FACES SENATE TEST IN FIRST MAJOR CONFIRMATION FIGHT SINCE GRAHAM’S DEATH
Todd Blanche, nominee for U.S. deputy attorney general, testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 12, 2026. (Daniel Heuer/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., had hoped a deal could be struck and allow for the confirmation to move forward, eying next week as the major floor vote to formally confirm Blanche as Bondi’s replacement.
«I think that that’s an issue between, right now, the White House and Senators Cornyn and Tillis,» Thune said. «But, yeah, I would encourage them to sit down, which I think they are, and try to come to a resolution there so that the markup can continue tomorrow, and we can get Todd Blanche ready for the floor.»
The DOJ had until 4 p.m. Wednesday to get the lawmakers what they wanted, but the agency fell short, and Blanche’s bumpy carriage ride to confirmation turned into a pumpkin.
Without a guarantee that Cornyn or Tillis would vote to confirm Blanche, Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, opted to postpone the hearing until a later date.
Their targets are the now-defunct, nearly $2 billion anti-weaponization fund and the president’s audit immunity. Republicans and Democrats alike railed against the fund, particularly over concerns that the funding would go to people involved in the Jan. 6, 2021, riots on Capitol Hill.
Trump’s audit immunity has similarly ruffled feathers. Blanche, in his announcement of the settlement deal earlier this year, outlined that, as part of the agreement, the IRS would not be allowed to audit Trump, his family or affiliated companies.
DEMS REJECT TRUMP’S TOP SPY PICK AFTER DEMANDING REPLACEMENT, LEAVING COUNTER-TERROR TOOL IN AIR
Cornyn has proven the most resistant until his demands are met. He’s used his newfound freedom to extract concessions from the Trump administration in recent weeks.
His push for an explicit end to the audit language in the settlement agreement is another such example. The longtime lawmaker, who will exit the Senate at the end of this year after being ousted by the Trump-backed Ken Paxton, was set to meet Blanche Wednesday morning.
But the confab was called off, and Blanche continued making the rounds in the Senate throughout the day, capping off his visit to the Capitol with Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, R-Wyo. He declined to comment to reporters on his way out.
Cornyn said it was «made clear from the outset that we expected some written proposals to modify the release that was signed in the tax dispute with President Trump and his organization.»
«We need to conform the actual document to what Todd Blanche testified under oath as the president’s acting attorney general,» Cornyn said. «We’ve had two meetings scheduled that have now been canceled because they have not been responsive in providing those written documents.»
TRUMP AG PICK HANGS BY A THREAD AS KEY GOP SENATORS REFUSE TO COMMIT
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, departs a meeting with Senate Republicans at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., June 4, 2026. (Kent Nishimura/AFP via Getty Images)
Trump, when asked about the holdup in the Senate for Blanche, portrayed himself as a president at an arm’s length from the situation and said he heard his attorney general pick was «going through quite nicely.»
«Well, all I can say is Todd Blanche is outstanding. And I thought he’s — I thought it was pretty routine because he’s so good,» Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. «You just wouldn’t find a better person. So, I don’t know, maybe John Cornyn is upset with me because I didn’t endorse him. I don’t know what it is, but I haven’t heard that there’s a problem.»
Tillis made clear he doesn’t «have a beef with DOJ or with Blanche.»
«They’re trying to get it done, but still gotta get it done,» Tillis said.
He also noted that the number of hurdles that getting those kinds of written proposals through was more extensive than meets the eye. For example, Tillis said the actual settlement likely was signed by the president’s lawyer and not Trump himself.
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«So there’s, you know, there’s a circle of people that have to go through the loop,» he said. «And I get that, but, you know, if we can get it done or possibly get him reported out on Tuesday, if they schedule a markup, I would support that if we get the language.»
politics, senate elections, todd blanche, justice department, chuck grassley
INTERNACIONAL
Clinton, Obama-era Democratic heavyweights Penn and Emanuel rip NYC’s Mamdani over taxes, Israel, blast DSA
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Two prominent Democratic figures with deep ties to the Clinton and Obama administrations publicly criticized New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani this week, with former Clinton adviser Mark Penn attacking the mayor’s proposed property tax plan while former Obama White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel recounted what he described as a private conversation in which he challenged Mamdani’s rhetoric on Israel.
The criticism is notable because it comes from longtime Democrat insiders rather than Republican opponents and focuses on two of the issues that have defined Mamdani’s rise political rise: his far-left economic agenda and his positions on Israel.
Fox News Digital reached out to Penn, Emanuel and Mamdani’s office for comment.
NYC MAYOR MAMDANI CALLS THREAT OF RICH PEOPLE LEAVING NYC OVER TAXES ‘IMAGINED’
Mark Penn participates in a panel discussion during the annual Milken Institute Global Conference at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on April 29, 2019, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Getty Images)
Penn, a longtime Democrat strategist and former pollster and adviser to President Bill Clinton, accused Mamdani of dramatically understating the scope of his proposed pied-à-terre tax after the mayor released a public database identifying property owners who could be subject to it.
In a lengthy post on X, Penn argued the city’s valuation system had swept in nearly one million property owners rather than the roughly 30,000 luxury homeowners Penn said had previously been described as the intended targets.
«The $5 million figure was a fake,» Penn wrote, arguing the city’s valuation system had improperly classified properties and would force homeowners to prove they should not be taxed.
RAHM EMANUEL WARNS NEW GENERATION OF DEM SOCIALISTS DON’T LIKE AMERICA
Former Mayor of Chicago and White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel speaks during the 29th annual Milken Institute Global Conference at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California on May 5, 2026. ((Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty Images))
Penn also argued the proposal could depress property values, discourage investment in New York City and potentially raise constitutional questions.
Meanwhile, Emanuel said during an appearance on the Unholy Podcast that he met privately with Mamdani for roughly 90 minutes and challenged the self-described democratic socialist mayor over his views on Israel.
Emanuel said he praised portions of Mamdani’s domestic agenda, including childcare, but criticized Mamdani’s past use of the phrase «from the river to the sea.»
MAMDANI DODGES ON ‘POLITICAL THEATER’ OF EMPTY NETANYAHU ARREST THREAT, CALLS FOR US ACTION AND NYC PROTESTS
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s video admitting that he lacks the legal authority to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did little to ease Jewish leaders’ concerns. (NYC Mayor’s Office via YouTube/Handout via Reuters)
«I know where there’s a line. You don’t,» Emanuel recalled telling Mamdani.
Emanuel said both calls for a «Greater Israel» and the slogan «from the river to the sea» would lead to «perpetual conflict.»
After clips of Emanuel’s remarks circulated online, Mamdani communications director Anna Bahr publicly disputed the account.
«can confirm this …. did not happen,» Bahr wrote on X in response to a post summarizing Emanuel’s remarks.
It was not immediately clear from Bahr’s post whether she was disputing that the meeting occurred or Emanuel’s characterization of the conversation.
Emanuel has also recently criticized the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) more broadly. In a post on X this week, he argued Democrats should focus on winning competitive elections rather than what he characterized as ideological distractions.
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«You can be focused on winning tough races, flipping red seats blue. Or you can be focused on abolishing prisons and… the Senate and Supreme Court? You can’t do both,» Emanuel wrote. «I’m for winning this November and ending Trump’s corruption — and I’m also for putting an end to all the distractions from the DSA.»
Penn, Emanuel and Mamdani’s office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s requests for additional comment before publication.
zohran mamdani, new york, new york city, politics, israel
INTERNACIONAL
Chile revisará el listado de víctimas de la dictadura de Pinochet tras encontrar en Argentina a una mujer que figuraba como desaparecida
El gobierno del presidente José Antonio Kast en Chile anunció este miércoles que revisará el registro oficial de detenidos desaparecidos de la dictadura de Augusto Pinochet, luego de que un examen de ADN confirmara que Bernarda Vera, incluida durante décadas en ese listado como víctima de desaparición forzada, fue localizada con vida en Miramar, cerca de Mar del Plata.
El ministro de Justicia y Derechos Humanos de Chile, Fernando Rabat, informó que se analizará la nómina oficial de víctimas de la dictadura (1973-1990) para verificar que no existan errores. La medida fue anunciada tras la repercusión que generó el caso de Vera, una militante opositora al régimen que figuraba como desaparecida desde 1973.
“Vamos a determinar oficialmente que no contenga errores”, afirmó Rabat en una entrevista con Radio Infinita, al referirse al Informe de la Comisión Nacional de Verdad y Reconciliación —conocido como Informe Rettig—, elaborado durante el gobierno de Patricio Aylwin (1990-1994), que identificó a 1.469 detenidos desaparecidos durante la dictadura, entre ellos Vera. El presidente chileno José Antonio Kast. (REUTERS/Angela Ponce)
El caso de Bernarda Vera
El caso salió a la luz en septiembre de 2025, cuando medios chilenos informaron que Vera —militante del extinto Movimiento de Izquierda Revolucionaria (MIR), hoy de 80 años— había sido localizada en Miramar, una ciudad ubicada a unos 45 kilómetros de Mar del Plata.
La búsqueda estuvo a cargo de funcionarios del Plan Nacional de Búsqueda, un programa estatal creado para esclarecer las circunstancias de desaparición y determinar el destino de las víctimas que aún permanecen sin paradero conocido.
El 27 de julio, un examen de ADN ordenado por la Justicia chilena confirmó con una probabilidad de identificación superior al 99,9999% que la mujer encontrada en Argentina era Bernarda Vera. La chilena Bernarda Vera fue hallada en Argentina pese a que se consideraba que había sido desaparecida por la dictadura de Pinochet. (Foto: Cortesía/Emol)
Según el Informe Rettig, Vera fue detenida en octubre de 1973, cuando tenía 27 años, luego de participar en el asalto a un retén policial en Neltume, una zona cordillerana ubicada a unos 850 kilómetros de Santiago y cercana a la frontera con Argentina. Allí, el MIR intentó establecer un foco guerrillero para resistir a la dictadura instaurada tras el golpe de Estado contra Salvador Allende.
De acuerdo con versiones no oficiales, Vera —quien utilizaba el alias clandestino “Anita” y tenía una hija de cinco años al momento de su desaparición— permaneció en la zona montañosa hasta diciembre de 1973 y luego logró escapar hacia Argentina. Más tarde viajó a Suecia y regresó a Sudamérica a fines de la década de 1990.
Su familia había perdido contacto con ella en los días previos al golpe del 11 de septiembre de 1973. Tiempo después, fue informada de que Vera había sido condenada a muerte en rebeldía en un proceso judicial vinculado al ataque al retén de Neltume.
La revisión de la pensión familiar
Rabat indicó que el caso será notificado al Consejo de Defensa del Estado para que “adopte las decisiones que corresponden” respecto de la pensión que la familia de Vera recibió durante años en el marco de la ley de reparación. “No quiero calificar la buena o mala fe de quienes recibieron la pensión porque no me corresponde. Lo que estoy señalando es que no debió haberse pagado esa pensión”, afirmó el ministro.
Leer más: El Gobierno relativiza el reclamo de Cristina Kirchner ante la ONU y evalúa su impacto en la estrategia electoral
El nombramiento de Rabat generó polémica en su momento, ya que a principios de los años 2000 integró el equipo jurídico que defendió a Pinochet en el juicio por la Operación Colombo y en el Caso Riggs.
El ministro sostuvo que su cartera “fortalecerá” el Plan Nacional de Búsqueda y sumará funcionarios para revisar el listado de detenidos desaparecidos, pese a los recortes ordenados por el presidente Kast. El programa fue lanzado en 2023 por el gobierno del entonces presidente Gabriel Boric (2022-2026) y es considerado una de las principales políticas de memoria histórica impulsadas desde el fin de la dictadura, al ser la primera vez que el Estado chileno lidera la búsqueda de las más de mil víctimas que aún permanecen desaparecidas.
El régimen de Pinochet se extendió durante diecisiete años y dejó, según cifras oficiales, más de 40.000 víctimas entre ejecutados, detenidos desaparecidos, presos políticos y torturados. Más de 3.200 opositores murieron a manos de agentes del Estado.
Chile, Jose Antonio Kast, Pinochet
INTERNACIONAL
Russia launches ballistic missile attack on Kyiv hours after Zelenskyy warns of major strike
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Russia launched a ballistic missile attack on Ukraine’s capital early Thursday, with multiple explosions reported across Kyiv, according to Ukrainian officials.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko urged residents to seek shelter as blasts rocked the city. Reuters, citing a witness, reported hearing multiple explosions.
The Ukrainian Air Force also said Russia was targeting the capital with ballistic missiles.
RUSSIA UNLEASHES NEARLY 600 MISSILES AND DRONES ON KYIV IN DEADLIEST STRIKE SINCE MAY
An explosion lights up the sky over the city during a Russian missile and drone strike amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, July 2, 2026. (Gleb Garanich/Reuters)
Klitschko later said several non-residential sites caught fire following the strikes. There were no immediate reports of casualties.
The attack came just hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Russia appeared to be preparing a major overnight assault.
«I received a report from Air Force Commander Anatolii Kryvonozhko,» Zelenskyy wrote on X Wednesday, saying Russia had prepared a «massive attack several days ago» and that there was a «high probability» it would be carried out overnight.
ZELENSKYY SAYS PUTIN ‘LOST THE INITIATIVE’ AS UKRAINE’S TECH INDUSTRY RESHAPES THE WAR
People take shelter inside an overcrowded metro station during a Russian missile and drone strike amid Russia’s attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, July 30, 2026. (Alina Smutko/Reuters)
«It is important that our partners fully understand what is happening and that the protection of lives directly depends on their readiness, or lack thereof, to help us with air defense missiles,» Zelenskyy said.
The Ukrainian president made the appeal after returning from the United States, where he met with President Donald Trump.
Trump recently announced at the NATO summit in Turkey that the United States would license Ukraine to manufacture Patriot air defense systems, according to The Associated Press.
«First and foremost, this concerns the United States and those partners that have Patriot missiles and can provide them to support our defense,» Zelenskyy wrote.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with President Donald Trump at the White House during his visit to Washington, D.C., July 28, 2026.
«Every partner knows what is needed and fully understands the consequences of marking time.»
Fox News Digital’s Emma Bussey and Reuters contributed to this report.
world, ukraine, volodymyr zelenskyy, russia
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