Today in Politics, Bulletin 418. 7/13/26 TODD BLANCHE CONFIRMATION HEARING WEDS & THURS

Today in Politics, Bulletin 418. 7/13/26 Ron Filipkowski Jul 13 ∙ … US District Judge Kathleen Williams voided DOJ’s $1,776 billion settlement with Trump and recommended his attorney to be sanctioned by the state bar: “Court finds that this matter was brought for an improper purpose—to gain the imprimatur of judicial legitimacy for a ‘settlement’ that had no viable basis in law or fact.” … Aaron Parnas for Meidas: “The ruling effectively dismantles what critics had described as a sweetheart deal between the Trump administration and the IRS. At the heart of Judge Williams’ decision is a constitutional finding that there was never an actual ‘case or controversy’ as required under Article III of the Constitution. The judge found that because Trump, as head of the Executive Branch, ultimately controlled the agencies he sued—the Treasury Dept and the IRS—the parties were never genuinely adverse.” … “Williams wrote that the litigation amounted to one side effectively controlling both plaintiff and defendant, making the lawsuit constitutionally defective from the outset. The order repeatedly points to Trump’s authority over Treasury officials, IRS leadership, and DOJ litigation positions as evidence that the govt could not genuinely oppose him.” … Judge Williams: “The extraordinary award fashioned by the parties for claims that were never litigated, and have yet to be defined, on behalf of unidentified third parties whose future remedies bear no relationship to the claims in this case.” … Parnas: “The court emphasized that no meaningful litigation had occurred before the settlement was announced. Govt lawyers never filed a response to the complaint, never defended the agencies, and instead jointly sought an extension before voluntarily dismissing the case while simultaneously unveiling the settlement publicly.” … “In addition to nullifying the settlement, Judge Williams imposed Rule 11 sanctions related to the litigation and referred one of Trump’s attorneys for possible professional discipline.” … Ben Dennis with DC News Now: “It appears the FBI is currently at late Senator Lindsey Graham's home on Capitol Hill. I've reached out to the Bureau for why they are there.” … Fox brought Trump on this morning to talk about Lindsey Graham and the two year anniversary of the Butler shooting, but Trump didn’t really want to talk about either one: Trump: “We’re gonna keep the strait, and we’ll probably run it. We’ll become the guardian of the strait. We should be reimbursed for that. When we do that, we’re gonna be reimbursed. We’re gonna get paid.” To Fox host Lawrence Jones: “How good is Lawrence doing, Ainsley? I had doubts at the beginning, I wasn’t sure - but you’re going a great job, Lawrence.” (Not sure why he had doubts when Fox hired Jones. He is Black though). Jones then led off his question about the Butler shooting with this: “We want to ask you about something that we know you don’t want to talk about because you don’t like to talk about yourself.” Jones: “Today marks two years since they tried to assassinate you in Butler. How are you feeling? Trump: I’ve known Ainsley longer than the two of you. I’ve known her through a very handsome man named Sean Hannity. She seemed to be attracted to him for whatever the hell reason.” … Who is “they”? Jones was finally able to get Trump to say something about Butler: “It was amazing how I understood exactly - and I knew it was the ear. They thought it was all over. Because the ear bleeds. The ear bleeds more than anything. So I got hit in the ear and it was a bloody mess. I knew I only got hit there but they thought I got hit in many locations because of the blood.” Jones: “Did you notice anything different about Lindsey when you last spoke to him? Trump: Terminating the filibuster is the single smartest thing we can do, because then you get everything. But even if we took the small loaf of the SAVE Act - it’s voter ID, it’s proof of citizenship. Look at what happened to the kid in CA. They sent a million ballots, nobody knows where they came from.” Jones: “But Mr. President, did you notice anything different about Lindsey? Trump: Spencer Pratt came up to my office, he said he thought he won. I said, ‘Why didn’t you complain?’ He didn’t know who to complain to. But what they did to that guy was unbelievable. He’s a nice guy. He worked so hard. And they found millions of ballots. They took the election away from him.” Jones: “So Mr. President, real quickly, did you notice anything difference from Lindsey on the phone? Trump: “When people don’t want to have voter ID, when people don’t want to have proof of citizenship, it’s only because they want to cheat.” Jones finally got Trump to say something about Graham. Kinda sorta: “He had one bad moment in the Jan 6 thing when he stood up and said, ‘Alright, now I’ve had it, that’s it, I can’t do it anymore’. Then he called me about 40 minutes later and said, ‘Did I really said that? I can’t believe it.’ And he took it back. So I give him a 99.9 instead of 100.” “Lindsey loved playing golf. It wasn’t that he was a great striker of the ball, he wasn’t Jack Nicholas. He wasn’t Tiger. But he loved it and he had fun.” He then griped about Lindsey not backing him in 2016: “He was totally against me. I mean, he was fighting me. I was leading in the polls by a lot. He said, ‘I’ll get you in SC!’ That didn’t work out too well for him.” … A moving tribute. Then Trump went back to Iran: “Obama was the worst of all because Obama actually went to their side, because, you know, he’s a -- well, let’s not say. Let’s leave that for another time.” … Trump then posted: “I recommended, to Gov. Henry McMaster, Lindsey Graham’s wonderful sister, Darline, to serve as interim Senator from the Great State of South Carolina. This would be a fabulous tribute to Lindsey, who loved her dearly!” … A few hours before Trump’s post, Sen. Tim Scott announced he was backing former Rep. and current Fox host Trey Gowdy for the appointment to Graham’s seat. But after Trump’s post he immediately changed his tune: “Darline Graham Nordone, would be a fantastic pick to serve out the reminder of the senate term. After speaking with Darline, there is no one better who understands Lindsey’s love for family, our state, and our country.” … McMaster then promptly called a press conference and appointed Darline Graham Nordone to be a US Senator as a “fabulous tribute to Lindsey.” … Fox asked Tim Scott about Trump’s relationship with Lindsey: “The president played golf with Lindsey it seemed like every weekend.” … The results of my twitter poll on how Trump will handle Lindsey’s funeral. … NBC: “Trump’s Thursday speech is expected to address newly declassified intelligence reports that the WH says reveal plans by foreign nations to interfere in the 2020 election.” … I did hear rumors that Trump was going to make a deal with Maduro to let him out of prison is he says that Hugo Chavez rigged the 2020 election (even though he was dead then), which was Sidney Powell and Rudy’s insane theory. … Matt Rein: “I’m here at the Reflecting Pool and crews are almost done draining all of the water. No ‘350 foot’ gash found from my vantage point. Lots of dirt and grime though.” … Portland (Maine) Press Herald: “One person is dead in a shooting in Biddeford Monday morning involving ICE agents. Spokespeople for ICE and DHS have not commented on the incident, which occurred just before 7:18 AM. Biddeford police confirmed that the incident involved ICE agents, and that the police department’s involvement was limited to providing security at the scene.” … “Daniel Boucher was getting ready for work Monday morning when he heard what sounded like fireworks going off outside of his home near downtown Biddeford. He rushed to the window, where he saw an SUV trying to ram a small white car in the intersection. Moments later, agents in vests stopped the car and pulled the driver out: “He was bleeding profusely from the head. He was talking. He said, ‘I tried to stop.’” … “Boucher watched in disbelief as the man’s legs stopped moving as he lay on the ground. He believes he watched him die. The man, who has not been identified by authorities, was apparently shot by immigration agents, according to a House Speaker Ryan Fecteau, who represents Biddeford.” … “Across the intersection of Hill and Pool streets, a resident named Em heard a gunshot around 7:15 AM, followed by about 7 more pops. Her first thought was that it was a drive-by shooting. She hadn’t heard any yelling before the shots rang out. Em, who asked to be identified only by first name because of her fear of ICE, watched from her window as the small white car circle in the intersection as if the driver had no control.” … “Two plain clothes ICE agents with vests on pressed up against the driver’s side door trying to guide it to not hit anything. All of a sudden it seemed like 6 people with vests on were running down the street. I didn’t know where they were coming from.” Em said agents appeared to crash a vehicle into the smaller car to get it to stop, then the driver was pulled out. “No one went to him and no one did anything,” she said, her voice choking with tears. … Journalist Nathan Bernard: “The man ICE fatally shot was a 26-year-old from Colombia who had authorization to work in the US and had been issued a Social Security number.” … DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin told Maine Sen. Angus King that the man fatally shot by ICE agents in Biddeford, Maine, "was NOT the target of the warrant," according to King's office. The biggest thing circled on my calendar this week is the Todd Blanche confirmation hearing scheduled for Wed and Thurs. On Ask the Editor today, which should be out tonight, I answered: 1. Will he get confirmed and how will Fetterman and Tillis vote? 2. Do you think the McConnell photo is legit? 3. Will Thune break the filibuster for SAVE “as a tribute to Lindsey”? 4. Give details on the Maine primary process and my candidacy to be a delegate. 5. Are there any legit reporters that you and Pablo respect at Fox? If you missed yesterday’s Bulletin recapping the entire Weekend (sorry is was so long), you can find it here. Meidas+ is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. … Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) was asked on Real America’s Voice about the Mitch McConnell proof of life photo. Host Eric Bolling: “I saw a picture that I’m not sure I believe is actually McConnell after what I’ve heard and what I’ve seen. Do you believe that is a picture of Mitch and his wife in that hospital bed? Johnson: “I just heard from a source that was an older photo.” … The plot thickens … … Other Republicans are also skeptical: Laura Loomer: “McConnell’s staff appear to have used an AI altered photo. They are never going to recover from this. I can’t believe they blurred Mitch’s finger nails so much they disappeared. What are they thinking? Why does the text on the newspaper McConnell’s staff claim he’s holding look AI generated? The text is blurry and the tag on his shirt is blurred. Also, if he’s in the hospital, why is there no IV connected to him to monitor his health? This is such bullshit. His staff are liars.” Fox host Jason Chaffetz: “Let’s see you say it. A written statement is far different than saying it on camera.” Former Fox News producer Kylie Jane Kremer: “Instead of a written statement and a single photograph, the public deserves clear, direct proof that McConnell is recovering and able to communicate. A brief, unedited video would put nearly all of these questions to rest. The newspaper text is too blurry to independently verify the date or publication, so it does not establish when the photo was actually taken. WHERE IS THE METADATA ON THE ORIGINAL PHOTO???” … WaPo: “Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump have amassed a portfolio of defense tech start-ups that are benefiting from new Pentagon priorities and spending, further entangling the US’ interests and the Trump family’s financial fortunes in an area with immense stakes for national security.” … “As the current admin has made modernizing the tools of warfighting a centerpiece of its national security agenda, funds linked to the Trump brothers have invested in more than a dozen defense tech companies and other firms seeking businesses from the Pentagon and federal agencies.” … “The companies have collectively generated at least $3.2 billion in direct govt business since the sons invested and an additional $3.1 billion in future contract options. Some have gained coveted spots on shortlists of preapproved contractors that can bid exclusively on up to nearly $200 billion in future work.” … Trump posted this insane statement today: “We are reinstating the THE IRANIAN BLOCKADE, so named because it is only stopping Iran’s ships or customers from entering or leaving. All other countries will have fair and open use of the Strait. The USA will be, from this point forward, known as ‘THE GUARDIAN OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT,’ but as such, and as a matter of FAIRNESS, will be reimbursed, at the rate of 20% on all cargo shipped, for any and all costs necessary to do the job of providing safety and security to this very volatile section of the World. The process and formation will begin immediately.” … Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi responded: “POTUS is absolutely right. Whoever provides secure and safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz should be compensated for this service. Iran has always been the GUARDIAN of the Strait and will remain so FOREVER. 20% is of course too much. We will be fair.” … Axios: “The blockade - a response to renewed clashes between the US and Iran in recent days - threatens to dramatically escalate tensions in the strait and change the economics of shipping energy and materials in the Middle East. It marks a further unraveling of the US-Iran MOU, which Trump declared ‘over’ last week after the IRGC resumed attacks on commercial ships.” … “A US defense official said the US military has plans for several days of additional strikes in the Hormuz area and on Iran’s southern coastline aimed at degrading the IRGC’s ability attack ships. The renewed naval blockade has not yet come into effect due to a legal requirement to notify ship owners 24 hours in advance. CENTCOM will announce the specific timing later on Monday.” … “A senior Gulf source said the US hasn’t discussed the issue of possible tolls for securing the Strait of Hormuz with its allies in the region.” … WSJ: “The US is tapping in to its national stocks of crude with abandon. The withdrawals are taking a toll on the strategic reserve system. Frequent drawdowns, wear-and-tear and a lack of investments are straining the reserve. US strategic stockpiles could play a crucial role in the coming months as the conflict lingers. The current release of 172 million barrels, authorized by Trump in March, is expected to further stress the facilities. Stocks in the reserves have fallen to their lowest levels since 1983.” … “One key issue: Successive admins and Congress have pumped oil out of the reserve dozens of times through sales to raise funds, as well as emergency releases. But the stockpiles were initially designed for up to 5 full drawdowns, and the frequent releases are degrading the sites’ integrity, experts say.” … “The reserve has experienced 16 major equipment failures since 2013, including of raw water and brine disposal piping. Some sites have seen well deformation and hydraulic failures. In May 2024, a well ruptured unexpectedly at a Texas site, causing the loss of as much as 400,000 barrels, the GAO report said.” … Commodity analyst Giovanni Staunovo: “US Strategic Petroleum Reserve crude inventories fell by 3.0 million barrels to a multi year low of 316.5 million barrels last week.” … Gas market analyst Patrick De Haan: “The national average price of gasoline has seen its first weekly increase since May 11, rising 10.3c/gal in the last week to $3.82/gal. Diesel rose 9.6c/gal to $4.85/gal.” … Zohran Mamdani was asked today if he was going to continue working with Morris Katz after his highly controversial consultant work for the Fetterman and Platner campaigns: Q - “Last week, members of the DSA sent out a public letter to campaigns and officials to stop working with Morris Katz. Are you still planning to work with him? Mamdani: I will continue to work with Morris Katz. He remains a top adviser of mine." … I’m sorry to hear that. Disappointing. … Retiring Sen. Gary Peters endorsed Haley Stevens to succeed him over Abdul El-Sayed: "I’m proud that Haley was recognized as the most effective Michigan Democrat in Congress. Haley Stevens will be ready on day 1 to fight for Michigan" … Politico: “House Budget Committee Republicans are at Camp David today for private meetings on another GOP reconciliation bill before the midterms. The group arrived yesterday afternoon for talks with Speaker Mike Johnson and Rs - as leadership scrambles to make progress this week. There’s no deal yet and Johnson is running out of time.” … “Johnson and NRCC Chair Richard Hudson meet with President Trump later today, 3pm, at the WH. This is one of many party fights where Budget Chair Lindsey Graham’s sudden death is looming large. Graham was leading the reconciliation process in the Senate, including talking plans with Trump, as some Senate Rs have already said another party-line bill won’t work.” … “Johnson needs the House Budget panel to approve a resolution first to kick off the arduous process. But fiscal hawks there are pressing him to make more significant spending cuts to pay for tens of billions in Iran war $ (Trump is demanding $350 billion for DOD) and other GOP priorities. Moderates on the other side are pushing back. Hanging over this all - a spate of new $$$ going into renewed US strikes on Iran with war money already running what Hill Rs say is dangerously low.” … “GOP appropriators want to start to advancing a bipartisan package to fulfill the WH request for +$80 billion in Iran war and other funding - adding pressure on Johnson to figure out reconciliation, where he plans to put a slice of the SAVE America Act fight roiling the GOP. That’s another tricky part Graham was working on with Trump.” … Punchbowl: “The reignited Iran conflict undermines the Senate’s ability to advance the annual defense policy bill. Senate Democrats are threatening no votes on the NDAA over the fact that the Iran war was never authorized by Congress, as well as the bill’s $1.14 trillion Pentagon topline. An unusually high number of Democrats opposed the bill in committee.” … “Even before the renewed hostilities, Republicans and Democrats were noncommittal about the admin’s $67 billion defense supplemental request for Iran. This comes as the Pentagon has warned it needs more money by Aug. There are still calls for public hearings on the supplemental, but there are just 8 scheduled House legislative days before the Aug recess (and two of those are fly-in days). Time is short, and Democrats seem unlikely to play ball.” … Politico: “Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-TX) announces his bid to chair the House Armed Services Committee next Congress. This sets up a fight with vice chair Rob Wittman (R-VA), who is in a tough election race, and others for the gavel. Jackson here also assumes there will be a GOP majority next year. It will be a struggle for the top spot.” … NOTUS: “On New Year’s Day, Rapper Boosie Badazz received a call from his lawyer that he’d been given a second chance. Two men, whom Boosie paid $600,000 about three months earlier, had said in a phone call with his lawyer that they secured for him a pardon signed by Trump. The act of clemency would have wiped away his fed rap sheet and saved him from an imminent sentencing hearing for possessing a firearm as a felon.” … “But that pardon never materialized. Now, Boosie is taking legal action against Jacob Wohl and Jack Burkman, two far-right political operatives and lobbyists at JM Burkman & Associates, to recoup half of Boosie’s payment, as stipulated in a contract. So far, the pair have refused, citing an overrun of costs in conversations with Boosie’s lawyer handling the arbitration, Jill Craft. They also said they were effectively bankrupt.” … Boosie: “They were real aggressive, they were talking like they had Trump on speed dial.” … “Burkman and Boosie each signed a contract on Sept. 30. The contract is riddled with typos and errors, including a provision that would allow Boosie to request a partial refund of the $600,000 fee if the lobbyists had not secured a presidential pardon by January 2026.” … “Between Sept-Jan, Burkman and Wohl repeatedly invoked their association with Laura Loomer in text messages with Blanco, Boosie’s lawyer. Wohl said that Loomer helped with the Schwartz pardon and that she could help with Boosie’s application. They said they proposed that Loomer ask Natalie Harp to physically bring the application to Trump.” Invite your friends and earn rewards If you enjoy Meidas+, share it with your friends and earn rewards when they subscribe.