Political News for August 8

From John E. Stith, filling in for Connie Willis

Dear Everybody,

Here’s the news for August 8.

DOJ Independence Enters Its “It’s Complicated” Phase. Todd Blanche, President Trump’s former personal attorney, was confirmed as attorney general. The senate voted 50–49. Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski joined Democrats opposed.  Trump took it graciously, for him, calling Murkowski a “traitor.” https://apnews.com/article/fcb4157d45d7b13a05de4d2b0f4f92e2

WE don’t HAVE THE VOTES. In better Senate news, they went out to play for for recess without passing the SAVE voter suppression bill because they didn’t have the votes. WE don’t HAVE THE VOTES sounds like a failed Arby’s ad. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/08/us/politics/senate-bows-to-reality-leaving-trumps-voting-bill-undone.html

Supreme Court: “She’s Still There.” Trump: “Hold my beer.” Trump has renewed his effort to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook despite the Supreme Court’s June ruling leaving an injunction protecting her in place while litigation continues. Trump is of course extremely angered that an independent agency is acting as if they are independent. The nerve.  https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/07/business/trump-lisa-cook-fed.html

Former Presidents Celebrate the Quaint Tradition of Giving Up Power. Bush, Clinton and  Obama contributed essays to a project marking America’s 250th anniversary. He Who Must Not Be Named is not named, but several essays focus conspicuously on restraint in presidential power and constitutional loyalty. Bush praised George Washington’s willingness to relinquish power; retired Gen. Stanley McChrystal emphasized Ulysses S. Grant’s loyalty to the Constitution rather than to an individual. Trump’s ears were probably burning, but that could have been from the squib. https://apnews.com/article/14a0ba0c2fc66ab79abfba0a85f7e499

Crypto-Keeper Trump pushes weak-sauce regulations. The Senate has moved the Clarity Act toward a procedural vote after the August recess. The legislation pushes for some crypto regulation but falls short at reigning in abuses by politicians. Trump of course has strongly promoted crypto policy while his family makes substantial income from cryptocurrency. https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/us-senate-advances-landmark-crypto-bill-before-heading-august-recess-2026-08-08/

Goliath 3, David 9. Russia launched six ballistic missiles and 151 drones overnight against Ukraine. Ukraine simultaneously struck Russian oil refineries at Ilsky and Syzran.  https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/three-killed-russian-strikes-kyiv-region-official-says-2026-08-08/ https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/08/08/ukraine-strikes-oil-refinery-in-russias-krasnodar-region-in-drone-attack-a93441 In other news, Zelenskyy visited Serbia, which has had close ties with Moscow. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic again backed Ukraine’s independence and territorial integrity, and the two governments are pursuing closer economic ties and a possible free-trade agreement. https://www.reuters.com/business/leaders-serbia-ukraine-pledge-closer-economic-ties-2026-08-08/

The Ransom of Red Chief, volume 5, chapter 3. Iran has new conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, including an end to U.S. hostilities, sanctions relief, withdrawal of U.S. regional forces and compensation. The UAE separately reported that an ADNOC vessel was hit by an Iranian missile while transiting the strait.  https://apnews.com/article/feb75871fb82c44b3f7fd0ee02bb24b4  The NY Times says the war has depleted the US weapons stockpiles, causing Russia and China to pay attention.  https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/08/us/politics/pentagon-weapons-stockpiles-china-russia.html The Iran War Cost Tracker says the war has cost about $113 billion in 108 days. I wonder how long it will take Trumpers to finally move from “We have Always Been at War with Iran” ro “WTF?” https://iran-cost-ticker.com/

Daddy Dearest. Mary Trump says her uncle’s sudden focus on his appearance mirrors his late father, Fred Trump, who became obsessed with hair loss after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. He’s not just a member of Hair Club for Men. He’s the President. https://www.the-independent.com/life-style/trump-hair-weave-niece-wig-debate-b3029790.html

Today In history: Nixon resigned 52 years ago.  Good times. And a good time to reflect on JD Vance’s observation: “If Watergate happened tomorrow, it would be a 12-hour news story. The idea that it would have taken down a presidency is crazy.” Who knew the deep state had been working for so long to preserve our democratic republic and the Constitution. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/25/jd-vance-watergate-richard-nixon

“There’s a great future in plastics. Think about it.” Dustin Hoffman is 89 today.

“Fairytales do not start, nor do they end, in the dark forest.” Good news for Ted Lasso fans. Season 4 is starting. And in Ted-adjacent news, Karen and I totally enjoyed the recent Netflix romantic comedy OFFICE ROMANCE with Brett Goldstein and Jennifer Lopez. According to Goldstein, they sent the script to Lopez with a note: “We wrote this for you. You’re at the top of our list. It’s a list of one. If you don’t do this, we’ll never make this film. No pressure.” https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/05/movies/jennifer-lopez-brett-goldstein-office-romance-interview.html

This is John E. Stith, filling in for Connie Willis through the 12th.

As Connie says, keep calm and carry on,