Donald Trump declined to call for Rep. Max Miller's resignation on Monday, opting instead to let the families sort it out - because nothing says 'decisive leadership' like punting on an alleged pattern of domestic abuse. Asked about the allegations from Miller's ex-wife, Emily Moreno, which include throwing her against a wall, holding a gun to her head, and throwing hot water on her, Trump said he has 'always known Miller as a good person' and called the situation 'a very sad thing.' Miller denies all claims and is suing Moreno for defamation. The calls for resignation include Miller's ex-father-in-law, Republican Sen. Bernie Moreno of Ohio, and several Democrats, amid a bitter custody dispute over the couple's two-year-old daughter. Trump's response: 'Accusations' for the families to resolve. Because who needs accountability when you have family meetings?
Meanwhile, Todd Blanche's confirmation as attorney general is moving forward after a 'compromise' that Democrats and legal experts say is about as binding as a New Year's resolution. Blanche, the acting attorney general, posted documents withdrawing an 18 May order creating a $1.8bn 'weaponization fund' and clarifying that tax immunity granted to Trump applies only retroactively to the president, his sons, and businesses. The deal with Republican Sens. John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina - who had threatened to block his nomination - earned their support ahead of Tuesday's Senate judiciary committee vote. But experts aren't buying it. 'These assurances are not worth the paper they're written on,' said Brandon DeBot, policy director at the Tax Law Center at NYU. 'They don't pull back on the ongoing attempts to give the president, his family, and his affiliates unauthorized immunity from tax audits.' In other words, the deal is about as solid as a sandcastle at high tide.
In other legal news, 25 states sued the Trump administration over tariffs that took effect last month, arguing the president exceeded his authority after the Supreme Court struck down his previous tariffs. The lawsuit challenges tariffs of 10% to 12.5% on dozens of countries, including the UK, Mexico, Canada, Australia, India, China, and the EU, which took effect on 24 July. 'President Trump is so intent on raising the cost of living for Americans that he is willing to break law after law after law to do so,' said California Attorney General Rob Bonta. The administration claims the tariffs are meant to stop forced labor exports, but states argue they're an unlawful rerun of previously rejected measures. The Supreme Court declared many of Trump's tariffs illegal in February, and the Court of International Trade ruled against them in May. But hey, why let a little thing like the law get in the way of a good tariff?
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer wasn't impressed with Blanche's so-called deal, saying he has 'no intention of stopping Trump's corruption' and has instead 'spent his career enabling it.' Schumer noted that Blanche is 'still perfectly fine giving Trump a permission slip to commit tax fraud to the tune of millions of dollars.' Meanwhile, Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Chuck Grassley has invited former special counsel Jack Smith to testify on 22 September. Smith, who led investigations into Trump's handling of classified documents and attempts to overturn the 2020 election, has been a target of Grassley's scrutiny. Because nothing says 'oversight' like grilling the guy who prosecuted the president.
In a separate but equally eyebrow-raising development, Rep. Daniel Goldman - who was 'absolutely crushed' in his re-election bid by Brad Lander - pushed back on Rep. Ro Khanna's claim that an 'unfair political and economy system' drove progressive losses. Goldman argued that he and other NYC progressives had strong records and support from working families, and that voters in his district 'prioritized a different issue' - implying his pro-Israel stance was the culprit. Because in politics, it's always someone else's fault.
Back to the Miller saga: Sen. Bernie Moreno issued a blistering statement on Sunday, saying the 'last two years have been pure hell' for his family and calling for Miller's resignation. 'If there are any basic standards of character required to hold elected office, Max Miller fails them,' Moreno said. 'He should not serve in the House of Representatives.' Miller, 37, who represents Ohio's seventh congressional district, denies the allegations from Moreno and former girlfriend Stephanie Grisham, who accused him of abuse in a 2021 Washington Post op-ed. Miller doubled down on his denial, saying, 'I'm not getting out of this race, and I'm winning in November.' Because nothing says 'innocent' like refusing to step aside amid multiple abuse allegations.
In other Trump news: He lashed out at US Attorney Jeanine Pirro for dropping charges against former Olympic canoeist David Hearn, who was accused of vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool - damage that Pirro's office determined was a 'botched installation.' Trump called Pirro's decision a 'disgrace' and blamed the judge for being 'extremely unfriendly.' When a reporter asked if she was on the chopping block, Trump responded, 'You're fake news. Don't ever talk again.' Classic.
Trump also claimed that leaks about a planned US attack on Iran helped the Iranian government, saying leakers 'should be put in jail' and that the strike 'was going to come last night' and would have left 'essentially very little left' of Iran's capabilities. Because nothing says 'strategic genius' like announcing your military plans to the press.
On Haitian TPS holders, Trump pointed to the Supreme Court's June ruling allowing the administration to end TPS for Haitians and Syrians, calling it 'a big victory in court.' He acknowledged many TPS holders have lived in the US '12 years, 14 years' after fleeing disasters, adding, 'Something's got to be done.' The next deadline: TPS work permits for Ethiopia and South Sudan expire on 6 August.
Finally, Trump urged the UK to expand North Sea drilling, telling reporters, 'You're sitting on top of gold, better than gold, and you don't do anything with it.' He claimed the fields could provide 'free energy' and are 'good for another 500 years, maybe more, probably 1,000 years.' He also said he spoke with 'your new prime minister' - apparently referring to Andy Burnham, though he didn't name him - and that the leader 'sounded terrific on this subject.' Because nothing says 'diplomacy' like misidentifying foreign leaders and offering unsolicited energy advice.