Political twists and turns of 2026 midterms
CBS News' Michael George breaks down the top political headlines from the lead-up to the 2026 midterm elections.
John Cornyn
More in GOP break with Trump before midterms
More Republicans in competitive races are calling on President Trump to end the war in Iran, hoping to create distance from the president's record-low poll numbers and his inflation-fueling war. CBS News chief Washington correspondent Major Garrett has more.
Blanche rescinds DOJ fund to advance
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche may be confirmed by a key Senate committee after he rescinded an "anti-weaponization fund" proposed by the Justice Department. CBS News' Nikole Killion reports.
Cornyn, Tillis say they'll support Blanche for AG
Todd Blanche is one step closer to becoming permanent attorney general after he rescinded President Trump's "anti-weaponization fund," earning him the support of Republican Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis. CBS News' Nicole Sganga reports.
Trump White House's contradictions, contortions
After President Trump called off a planned military attack against Iran, and GOP holdouts Cornyn and Tillis reached an agreement to support Todd Blanche for attorney general, CBS News chief Washington correspondent Major Garrett says two words come to mind: contradiction and contortion. CBS News' Nancy Cordes and Aaron MacLean report on the latest from the White House.
Could DOJ revive the "anti-weaponization" fund?
GOP Sens. John Cornyn and Thom Tillis formally announced their support for Todd Blanche as attorney general on Monday. This comes after an agreement was reached to end the controversial "anti-weaponization" fund. Rupa Bhattacharyya, legal director at the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection, joins with analysis.
Cornyn, Tillis say they'll confirm Blanche
Republican Sens. John Cornyn and Thom Tillis said Monday they will now vote to confirm Todd Blanche as attorney general after Blanche rescinded the "anti-weaponization fund" late Sunday night.
Blanche nears possible Senate confirmation
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche rescinded the $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization fund" ahead of his possible Senate confirmation. CBS News' Nikole Killion has the latest.
Blanche rescinds "anti-weaponization fund"
Todd Blanche, whose Senate confirmation for attorney general is set for Tuesday, officially rescinded the "anti-weaponization fund" late Sunday night that two Republican senators protested. CBS News' Weijia Jiang has the latest.
Trump will push for "anti-weaponization fund" if Blanche not confirmed, he says
Todd Blanche previously repeatedly told Congress the "anti-weaponization fund" was "dead."
Epstein survivor calls Blanche "walking perjury"
Survivors of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's abuse were on Capitol Hill this week lobbying senators to reject Todd Blanche's nomination for attorney general. One survivor, Dani Bensky, joins "The Takeout" to discuss her concerns about Blanche.
Trump considers pulling Blanche nomination
President Trump may withdraw Todd Blanche's attorney general nomination until next year as two Republican senators refuse to advance him in the confirmation process. Sens. John Cornyn and Thom Tillis have threatened to block Blanche unless Mr. Trump and the Department of Justice formally kill a controversial "anti-weaponization" fund.
Why Trump says he may pull his AG nomination
President Trump says he may pull his attorney general nomination as Todd Blanche's future remains in limbo. CBS News' Taurean Small explains.
Cornyn, Tillis meet with Blanche amid AG hold
Todd Blanche's nomination for attorney general is delayed as two Republican senators, John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, intend to vote no. CBS News congressional correspondent Nikole Killion has the latest.
Trump says he may pull Blanche nomination
President Trump said Thursday that he may pull his nomination of Todd Blanche for attorney general until Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis leave office. CBS News' Taurean Small has more.
Latest on key Trump nominations
President Trump's pick for director of national intelligence, Jay Clayton, has advanced to the next stage in the Senate's nomination process. Meanwhile, another Senate committee will vote Thursday on Mr. Trump's pick for attorney general, Todd Blanche. Jeffrey Epstein victims urge senators to reject Blanche. CBS News' Nikole Killion reports.
Blanche, Clayton pressed in confirmation hearings
Todd Blanche and Jay Clayton faced tough questions Wednesday in their respective Senate confirmation hearings for attorney general and director of national intelligence. CBS News congressional reporter Taurean Small has more details.
Trump announces first-ever Republican midterm convention in Dallas
President Donald Trump has announced that Republicans will hold their first-ever national convention ahead of the midterm elections in Dallas.
What happened at Trump-Senate GOP meeting
President Trump held a tense meeting with Senate Republicans on Wednesday, hours after he suddenly canceled a signing ceremony for newly passed housing affordability legislation. CBS News congressional reporter Taurean Small has the details. Then, New York Times congressional correspondent Robert Jimison joins to discuss further.
Paxton projected to win Texas Senate GOP runoff, defeating incumbent Cornyn
President Trump had endorsed Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in the primary runoff.
Political strategists on Texas primary
Democratic strategist Joel Payne and Republican strategist T.W. Arrighi join "The Takeout" with their thoughts on Ken Paxton's win in the Texas GOP Senate primary and President Trump's recent comments that he doesn't care about the upcoming midterm elections.
Ken Paxton to face James Talarico for Senate
In Texas, the state's Attorney General Ken Paxton ousted four-term Senator John Cornyn, making him the third Republican incumbent to lose this month after failing to earn President Trump's endorsement. Ed O'Keefe spoke with Paxton's Democratic opponent, James Talarico.
Takeaways from Paxton win in Texas GOP runoff
Tuesday's runoff election in Texas saw another Republican incumbent lose his seat to a Trump-backed nominee. Four-term Sen. John Cornyn conceded the race to state Attorney General Ken Paxton, who picked up a late endorsement from President Trump. CBS News senior White House and political correspondent Ed O'Keefe has more from the Lone Star State.
Talarico on Senate race with Ken Paxton
Democrat James Talarico will face off with Republican Ken Paxton for a U.S. Senate seat after Paxton beat Sen. John Cornyn in Texas' GOP primary runoff Wednesday night. Talarico spoke with Ed O'Keefe about his campaign.
Talarico, Trump react to Paxton's win
State Rep. James Talarico will face a stiff race against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in November after the Trump ally defeated incumbent Sen. John Cornyn on Tuesday. CBS News' Fin Gómez reports.
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