There are reports that Cornyn and Tillis have caved and are now on board with allowing a vote to confirm Todd Blanche as Attorney General. Blanch appears to have given them written assurance that the slush fund is dead. But did he?
Ellie Quinlan Houghtaling writes at The New Republic:
On its face, Blanche’s note appeared to terminate the fund, specifying that the order was “rescinded and shall have no force or effect.” However, journalists were quick to comment that the language employed in the rest of Blanche’s memo not only suggested that the honeypot fund would be preserved in some form but also failed to terminate Trump’s underlying IRS immunity arrangement.
This, I believe, is the statement Blanche signed and issued. It says there is no fund, but makes no assurances there won’t be one in the future. And it doesn’t say squat about the IRS audit immunity. See emptywheel for more.
Shell game level 2 here we go. If you can't get the whole scam, half a scam will do.
This artist penned the concept of the tragic comedy from the image of the reflecting pool.
From the NYT. The Fusion of Comic Tragedy in Reflection.
Trump habitually cheated building contractors who had written contracts. Excuse me if I am neither shocked not amazed if/when Trump says he was never a party to the deal Blanche 'signed.' As of July 13, the judge 'voided' the deal because there was no dispute between DJT and the IRS. It was fraudulent lawsuit designed to give Trump and his family IRS immunity and to create a 1.75B slush fund. As far as I can tell, that's still binding. What I think is critical is the basis of the decision – that the 'settlement' was a legal fiction from the git-go. As long as that's upheld, the entire agreement is null and void.
IMO, that' why as late as yesterday, Trump was talking like he would get Congress to pass a law wo create the fund. Trump may have been advised that 1) Congress won't EVER create a slush fund that becomes a weapon against every Republican who voted 'yes' in the next election. Trump hasn't given up on the idea – which means he's considering ignoring the lower court ruling and having Blanche do the fund if/when Trump needs the funds to raise an army not bound by the US Constitution and the UCMJ.
I still think that when Trump sees that the Democrats have the receipts for crimes Trump has committed, he will not leave his fate to the jury system. He wants criminal immunity for life, and if the Republicans don't give it to him through legislation, Trump will not give up the throne. It's not that Trump wants to keep being president – he's terrified of going to jail.
Gas prices are still floating at four bucks per gallon in Florida. I don't think the voters have 'adjusted' to the new price structure. The Pentagon is asking for ideas how to end the war in Iran according to the news today. Trump will lie his huge ass off about the status of the war that's not a war, but gas prices are up 25% when high prices are the number one issue to voters heading into the home stretch to November.
Government corruption is (IMO) downplayed by both parties because both parties like to feed at the same hog trough, But according to this survey, it's not insignificant to voters.
Poll: Voters Want Solutions for Government Corruption | Brennan Center for Justice
So there are wins – Pirro’s capitulation on the reflecting pool – and losses – Blanche's probable confirmation as the AG. There are going to be a few more losses until the big win this November.
In the meantime, Iran is keeping up the pressure, they shrewdly are keeping the pressure on the Strait to keep energy prices up, to sour the electorate on Trump. They know the public isn't behind Trump's war, and they do not want to attack America directly, which would turn sentiment against them.
I am struck between the parallels of Russia vs Ukraine and America vs Iran. Both smaller countries are working to move the masses of people in the larger countries against their rulers.