F-Bombs

Good afternoon. This is the Final NOTUS newsletter for July 29, 2026. You can get it in your inbox every day by signing up here — it’s free!

THE LATEST

Todd Blanche was given a 4 p.m. deadline to convince GOP Sens. John Cornyn and Thom Tillis that he was on track to kill Donald Trump’s “anti-weaponization” fund and narrow the scope of the president’s tax audit immunity settlement — and thus secure support for his nomination.

• The Texas Republican is currently meeting with Tillis and Judiciary Committee Chair Chuck Grassley about the IRS immunity portion of the agreement. It’s unclear if tomorrow’s confirmation vote will move forward as planned.

The White House still wants the Senate to move on Reconciliation 3.0 before August recess. But its push to add SAVE America Act provisions raised objections at today’s GOP lunch — including from John Thune — because including elections language would open up the bill to multiple committees outside of Rules, Punchbowl reports.

Several Republicans are concerned the vote-a-rama process involved will force members to take politically damaging votes before the midterms.

• OMB Director Russ Vought said an increase in the debt limit would not be part of the pre-recess bill. “We believe that is something that should come later in Reconciliation 4.0,” he said.

• Is Thune still the man for the job, a reporter asked Donald Trump later in the afternoon? “We’re going to find out,” he replied. “I’ll let you know.”

THE HILL

After Anthony Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment during a COVID-19 hearing led by Sen. Rand Paul, the Kentucky Republican announced a vote next week to hold Fauci in contempt.

• The hearing prompted a rare congressional F-bomb: “Who the fuck do you think you were for doing that?” Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) asked Fauci, questioning his enforcement of strict policies during the pandemic.

The Senate passed by unanimous consent a resolution opposing presidential clemency for Ghislaine Maxwell.

Chuck Schumer said he met with Maine Senate hopeful Troy Jackson this morning, and that they are “working together to win the seat.

THE ADMINISTRATION

Trump promised the U.S. would “beat the fucking shit” out of Iran after the country conducted a ballistic missile attack on American forces in the region. The attack was intercepted.

The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady today, again forgoing a cut that the White House would prefer.

The White House is asking for $10 million in additional funding for events held by Freedom 250.

Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu called their meeting yesterday a success. But the summit did little to resolve central issues in the U.S.-Israel relationship, NOTUS’ Akbar Shahid Ahmed reports.

THE COURTS

James Comey’s attorneys argue DOJ officials intentionally misled judges in their quest to charge the former FBI director with threatening to kill the president.

‘I NEED JHELP’

THANK YOU FOR READING

Today’s newsletter was produced by Brett Bachman and Erik Schutz. If you like it, please forward it to a friend. If someone shared it with you, please subscribe — it’s free! Got a tip or comments to share? Email us at finalnotus@notus.com.