Wertheimer Political Report, July 16, 2026

DEMOCRACY 21

In June, 101 retired federal and state judges filed an ethics complaint with the New York Attorney Grievance Committee against Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and requested a professional responsibility investigation of Blanche.

The judges focused in part on Blanche’s role in the Justice Department’s unprecedented settlement agreement with Trump, following his lawsuit against the IRS.

The letter stated:

“Mr. Blanche’s participation in President Trump v. I.R.S. was fundamentally incompatible with his ethical obligations under the New York Rules of Professional Responsibility (‘Rules’).

“Among other things, Mr. Blanche failed to competently and diligently represent the United States; participated in a matter he previously participated in while in private practice; attempted to assist his former client and current boss, President Trump, to skirt legal limits on his ability to end a tax audit against him, his family, and his companies and achieve a global release of all claims the United States had or could have had against them; and personally and knowingly through the acts of another engaged in conduct that was deceptive and prejudicial to the administration of justice.”

The judges also accused Blanche of using the Justice Department to pursue Trump’s political grievances. The letter stated:

“Mr. Blanche has initiated, induced, participated in, and overseen an ever-growing list of frivolous investigations and prosecutions perpetrated for the apparent purpose of harassing and injuring people and institutions President Trump perceives as his foes.”

According to the letter:

“Mr. Blanche’s apparent use of the legal system to punish the personal and political enemies of his former client and current boss violates, inter alia, his responsibilities under Rules 3.1 and 8.4.”

This week, U.S District Judge Kathleen M. Williams challenged Blanche’s “agreement” with Trump. Williams found that Trump’s lawsuit “was not brought to vindicate rights” but to “manipulate the judicial process” and sent her order to the New York disciplinary authorities for a possible investigation of Blanche.

The judges’ full letter is here.

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TRUMPWATCH 2.0

Trump approval stuck in the 30s amid pessimism on Iran and economy, poll finds.
“Americans give President Donald Trump broadly negative assessments, according to a Washington Post-Ipsos poll.” — Washington Post

Trump promoted companies on Truth Social days after buying their stocks.
“President Donald Trump hopped on Truth Social last year to share some “very big and exciting news.” Nvidia, the computer chip manufacturing behemoth, had just announced plans to build AI supercomputers in the United States.” —  CNN

South Korean company paid Trump $2 million amid trade investigation.
“A South Korean investor paid Trump’s company $2 million while its aluminum firm fought a Commerce Department trade case, raising new conflict-of-interest questions.” — Washington Post

Trump’s sons invest heavily in defense tech as father’s administration pours money in.
“Most investments by funds linked to Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump have taken place since their father’s reelection.” — Washington Post

FCC Officials Took Pricey Gifts From Paramount as the Company Needed Approval for Billion-Dollar Deals
“The rich and famous who filed into the Kennedy Center’s opera house in December were there to enjoy one of the nation’s most exclusive celebrations of the performing arts: the center’s annual honors gala.” — ProPublica

Supreme Court justices emphasize need for security funding.
“Kagan says some statements from public officials ‘dangerous’ to justices’ security.” – Roll Call

Trump’s order to resume ICE traffic stops means more danger for the public.
“Even his own immigration czar admits that permanently ending the stops would better protect ICE agents, their targets and the public.” — MS Now

U.S. military will test service members’ testosterone levels, Pete Hegseth says.
“Hegseth said that service members 30 and older will undergo the annual screening and that people can choose whether to pursue testosterone replacement therapy.” — NBC News

Reflecting Pool peeling probably caused by application flaws, experts say.
“President Donald Trump has blamed vandals, but a Washington Post analysis finds that the peeling tracks closely with stages of the renovation process.” — Washington Post

MEANWHILE, ON CAPITOL HILL

GOP budget blueprint targets Iran war, farm aid and elections. Proposal falls short of the administration’s defense reconciliation request. — Roll Call

Johnson preps to punt government funding through midterms. The House could vote on a continuing resolution as soon as next week, he said Thursday. — Politico

House Democrats meet in secret to game plan Trump’s midterm meddling. Behind closed doors, Democrats are running through hypothetical scenarios in which Trump interferes with the elections — and they are figuring out how they can respond. — MS Now

Bipartisan group of senators unveil Graham’s Russia sanctions bill. Democratic Sen. Blumenthal said passage would be a “fitting tribute” to Graham. — ABC News

Nearly 200 House Democrats demand investigation into ICE deaths “without interference.” — The Hill

House Democratic leaders split over U.S. aid to Israel as public opinion shifts. GOP Rep. Thomas Massie’s measure to cut off U.S. assistance to Israel sparked a rare division between the chamber’s top two Democrats: Hakeem Jeffries and Katherine Clark. — NBC News

Key GOP senator says Blanche must meet with Epstein victims to get his vote
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina) said the earliest a committee vote would occur is in two weeks. — Washington Post

Cruz, Democrats push back on FCC move to lift ownership cap. Senate Commerce chairman says he’s ‘skeptical’ the agency can act alone. — Roll Call

MONEY IN POLITICS, VOTING, ELECTION & OTHER RELATED INFO

Democratic Senate candidates trounce Republicans in fundraising. In the first half of this year, Democrats raised more cash in every key Senate race except Iowa.
 — New York Times

Republican candidates are hurting for cash, but help may be on the way. Super PACs and billionaires seem to be on the side of the G.O.P., new filings show. — New York Times

House Dem challengers are printing money. A POLITICO analysis of new campaign finance data found seven of the 10 top House battleground fundraisers were Democratic challengers. — Politico

Democrats fight to win back Latino voters who are key to flipping the House. The left has been losing ground with Latinos since 2016. — ABC News

Maine Democrats in sprint to replace Platner on Senate ballot. Familiar faces are back on the trail ahead of July 25 party convention. — Roll Call

Ken Paxton’s many real estate holdings become an issue in Texas Senate race. State Rep. James Talarico said the state attorney general owns 11 homes. According to public documents, that’s accurate. — MS Now