Blanche heads to Senate as ICE limits vehicle stops
NPR reports Todd Blanche faces questions over the Justice Department while ICE pauses most traffic stops after two fatal encounters.
By Lucas Ferreira · Science & Environment Writer
3 min read
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche is scheduled to face the Senate Judiciary Committee on July 15 as President Trump's nominee to lead the Justice Department on a permanent basis, NPR reported. The hearing gives senators a chance to press Blanche on issues that Democrats and other critics say go to the department's independence.
NPR reported that Blanche is expected to be questioned about his handling of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the treatment of Trump's political opponents and broader concerns about politics affecting federal law enforcement. NPR's Ryan Lucas reported that Democrats oppose the nomination.
Republicans hold a narrow Senate majority, NPR reported, meaning a small number of GOP defections could put Blanche's confirmation in doubt. The hearing was scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. ET.
Epstein abuse survivors are also weighing in against Blanche, according to NPR. Dani Bensky, one of the survivors, is expected to testify before the committee, NPR reported.
The confirmation hearing is one of two Trump administration health and justice nominations before senators on July 15. NPR reported that Dr. Erica Schwartz, Trump's latest nominee to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is also scheduled to appear before a Senate panel to answer questions about her qualifications and plans for the agency.
ICE pauses most vehicle stops after fatal shootings
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement will pause most vehicle stops during enforcement operations after two deaths connected to ICE traffic stops, NPR reported. According to NPR, neither person who was killed was the intended target of the immigration actions.
NPR's Sergio Martínez-Beltrán reported that about half of Department of Homeland Security field officers currently wear body cameras. DHS attributes the shortfall to Democratic lawmakers and the effects of partial government shutdowns, according to NPR.
DHS says all agents will have body cameras within the next 60 days, NPR reported. Advocates, elected officials and community members continue to call for independent investigations into the two shootings, according to NPR.
Iran threatens oil export routes
NPR also reported that Iran warned it could block all regional oil export routes in response to a U.S. maritime blockade. The warning comes as the United States and Iran continue to exchange attacks and as NPR reported there is little sign that a fragile ceasefire will hold.
Trump says the United States will take control of the Strait of Hormuz, NPR reported. NPR also reported that he reversed a plan to charge foreign ships a fee to pass through the strait.
Retired military officials and analysts told NPR's Tom Bowman that recent U.S. strikes have not done enough to reduce Iran's threat to commercial shipping. They said reducing that threat could require weeks of more intensive bombing and that the United States may also need to escort commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, according to NPR.
This story draws on original reporting from NPR.