The top 6 U.S. political stories for Friday, August 7, 2026.

1. 1
   Justice Department

   Senate Advances Todd Blanche for Attorney General

   Louisiana Republican Senator Bill Cassidy announced his support for Todd Blanche's nomination as Attorney General, clearing the way for his confirmation. Blanche faced pushback from some lawmakers but secured the necessary votes after formally rescinding a controversial "anti-weaponization fund" linked to a presidential IRS settlement.

2. 2
   Congress

   Senate Rushes Funding and Sanctions Before August Recess

   The Senate is pushing through key legislation, including a stopgap funding bill to prevent a September government shutdown, before embarking on its five-week August break. The pre-recess agenda also includes a bipartisan Russia sanctions bill favored by the late Senator Lindsey Graham.

3. 3
   White House

   Appeals Court Blocks White House Ballroom Construction

   A federal appeals court ruled that the administration cannot proceed with a $400 million ballroom project at the White House without congressional approval. The three-judge panel ordered an immediate halt to the 90,000-square-foot construction, prompting President Trump to vow an appeal to the Supreme Court.

4. 4
   Immigration

   New Executive Orders Target Birthright Citizenship

   Following a Supreme Court rejection of an earlier attempt, President Trump signed new executive orders aimed at restricting automatic citizenship for people born in the U.S. The new directives attempt to deny citizenship to children born to foreign lobbyists and members of designated terrorist groups.

5. 5
   Senate Nominations

   Senate Confirms Massive Bloc of Executive Nominees

   The Senate successfully confirmed a bloc of 74 White House nominees in an en bloc vote ahead of the August recess. Among the confirmations were James Macy and David Prouty to the National Labor Relations Board, solidifying a three-member Republican majority on the panel.

6. 6
   Domestic Policy

   Administration Announces Billions in Critical Mineral Investments

   President Trump hosted a roundtable with the mining industry to announce over $2 billion in critical mining and supply chain investments. Concurrently, the Export-Import Bank announced $58 million in rare earth deals intended to revitalize domestic industry and decrease reliance on foreign minerals.