Blanche Rescinds 'Anti-Weaponization Fund', Iran Strikes Off, Midwest Primaries
August 3, 2026
AI Summary
5 min readPresident Trump's acting attorney general, Todd Blanche, finally backed down from a controversial order that had stalled his confirmation to lead the Justice Department permanently. At the same time, Trump called off a planned series of strikes on Iran, claiming allies had brokered the outlines of a deal, while negotiations were set to resume. And in the Midwest, a slate of progressive primary challengers is testing whether the party's left wing can win in the swing districts that will decide control of Congress.
Blanche Rescinds the 'Anti-Weaponization Fund'—But Questions Remain
Todd Blanche, Trump's nominee for attorney general, issued a letter late Sunday night rescinding a plan to create what the administration called an "anti-weaponization fund." The $1.8 billion fund, part of a deal with the IRS, was widely seen as a vehicle to protect Trump and his political allies from tax audits and legal scrutiny. Two key Republican senators on the Judiciary Committee—John Cornyn of Texas and Tom Tillis of North Carolina—had blocked Blanche's nomination over the issue, demanding he kill the fund in writing.
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What you'll learn
- 1 (02:01) **Blanche Rescinds 'Anti-Weaponization Fund'** - Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche finally cancels the controversial $1.8 billion fund for Trump’s political allies in a letter to senators, but the move may not be enough to secure his permanent confirmation.
- 2 (05:28) **Trump Backs Off Iran Strikes Again** - President Trump calls off planned strikes on Iran after allies like Saudi Arabia intervene, claiming a deal is near, but the pattern of threats, attacks, and stabs at diplomacy continues without a confirmed agreement.
- 3 (09:25) **Midwest Primaries Test Progressive Candidates** - Far-left challengers face their biggest test in swing states like Michigan and Wisconsin, where primaries will determine if populist progressives can win in competitive districts that could decide control of Congress.
- 4 Standout Quotes
- 5 "People are not interested in going along to get along in a time like this." — William Lawrence, candidate in Michigan’s 7th congressional district
- 6 "When people are angry, it sometimes they go with their heart over their head." — Democratic consultant Liz Smith
- 7 Mentioned Resources
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Guests on this episode
Show Notes
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(0:00) Introduction
(01:58) Blanche Rescinds 'Anti-Weaponization Fund'
(05:32) Iran Strikes Called Off
(09:23) Midwest Primaries
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