Blanche and the DOJ, Michigan Primaries, Spokane Wildfires

Summary

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Up First – August 4, 2026

Blanche and the DOJ, Michigan Primaries, Spokane Wildfires

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Episode Overview

Today's "Up First" from NPR dives into three major stories shaping the news:

• The dramatic developments and political maneuvering surrounding Todd Blanche’s nomination for U.S. Attorney General,
• The high-stakes and highly emotional Michigan primaries—with wider implications for Democratic politics nationwide,
• And the devastation in Spokane, Washington, where wildfires have forced tens of thousands to flee, with new details on arson charges.

The show features reporting and analysis from NPR hosts E. Martinez and Steve Inskeep, with correspondents Ryan Lucas, Sam Greenglass, and Kirk Sigler.

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1. Todd Blanche’s Nomination for Attorney General

[02:00 – 05:39]

Key Discussion Points & Insights:

• Senate Judiciary Committee Vote: Todd Blanche, former personal lawyer to President Trump, faces a crucial Senate Judiciary Committee vote amid controversy.
• Republican Objections Lifted: Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis dropped their opposition after Blanche offered written assurances regarding two contentious issues:
  • A $1.8 billion "anti-weaponization fund" (now formally rescinded)
  • Limited scope for a tax immunity deal for Trump, his sons, and the Trump Organization—retroactive only
• Questionable Guarantees: While the documents met the senators’ political needs, legal experts suggest the assurances are not legally binding and fail to provide true ironclad guarantees.

Notable Quotes & Moments:

• Ryan Lucas, on the changes that turned the nomination:
  “Blanche and the Justice Department managed to provide the sort of written guarantees that addressed the demands of Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis... They wanted written confirmation that a controversial $1.8 billion anti weaponization fund is dead. And also written limits to a tax immunity deal for Trump, his family and businesses.” (03:33)
• On broader DOJ concerns under Blanche:
  “There is a long list of other issues at the Justice Department that legal experts, department veterans think should make Congress question Blanche’s leadership as well as his fitness to be Attorney General.” (04:32)
• Issues raised include:
  • Handling of the Epstein files
  • Perceived politicization and targeting of Trump’s enemies
  • Erosion of the DOJ’s reputation for acting in good faith, citing federal judges’ concerns about court compliance

The Mood:

The issue divided the GOP, highlighting anxieties about misuse of public funds and preferential treatment, with skepticism lingering over Blanche’s leadership and objectivity.

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2. Michigan Primaries: Democrats at a Crossroads

[05:47 – 09:28]

Key Discussion Points & Insights:

• Michigan’s Open Senate Battle: The focus is on the Democratic primary to challenge Republican Mike Rogers as holding this seat is considered pivotal for party control.
• A Proxy for Democratic Party Debates:
  • Establishment vs. Insurgent
  • Moderate vs. Progressive
• The Candidates:
  • Haley Stevens: Suburban Congresswoman, known for crossover appeal and legislative wins, supported by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
    • “I'm just beating MAGA four times in my congressional races, and I'm passing laws... We don't need wish lists.” – Haley Stevens (06:53)
  • Abdul El Sayed: Former public health official, progressive, backed by Bernie Sanders, emphasizes Medicare-for-All, campaign finance reform, and criticizes outside money (like AIPAC influence).
    • “The problem too often with the Democratic Party is that we have an instinct to say the right thing, but we're bought off by the people who are on the side of doing the wrong thing.” – Abdul El Sayed (07:23)
• Voter Sentiment:
  • Widespread frustration and anger—not just ideological, but economic (fuel and grocery costs; healthcare).
  • Many voters are torn, placing a premium on electability and desire for genuine change.
    • “People are pissed.” – Alyssa Deibault, Macomb County Democrats Chair (07:56)
    • “Who has the best chance of beating the Republican, that's going to be my biggest priority.” – Elizabeth Schaeffer, voter (08:25)
    • “I just want to vote for who I think will be the best representative for me and my belief.” – Madison Miles, voter (08:35)
• Broader Trends:
  • Similar anti-establishment energy is present in other key races, such as in the St. Louis congressional race between Cori Bush and Wesley Bell.

Outlook:

The outcome will indicate the relative strength of the party’s progressive and establishment wings, with implications for upcoming national elections.

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3. Wildfires Force Mass Evacuations in Spokane, Washington

[09:36 – 13:13]

Key Discussion Points & Insights:

• Arson Arrest: Local authorities arrest Aaron Farinacci, a 37-year-old Spokane felon, on first-degree arson charges linked to the “Old Trails Fire,” the worst among three major blazes.
  • “It’s the most destructive wildfire of the three burning here in and around the city right now.” – Kirk Sigler (09:51)
• Mass Displacement:
  • Over 60,000 evacuated, including residents of nursing homes, elder care facilities, and the VA hospital.
  • Red Cross shelter in Spokane Convention Center is at capacity—a scene of “a lot of need.”
• Heartfelt Testimonies:
  • “I hope so, cuz I want to be homeless. I hope it’s still there. I have a lot of memories, pictures and stuff of my family that I can’t get back.” – Charlie Patrick, evacuee (11:01)
  • Longtime locals shocked at the reality of evacuating urban neighborhoods due to wildfires.
    • “I never ever imagined us having to be a level three evacuation.” – Deborah Curran, Spokane resident (12:00)
• Conditions & Outlook:
  • Many may not return home for days or weeks.
  • Threat remains unpredictable due to winds and continued dry, warm conditions.
  • City’s urban expansion into wildland areas has increased fire risk; climate change heightens the danger.

Broader Context:

• Fire officials have long warned about exactly this scenario, which is becoming more common in the Pacific Northwest and elsewhere due to prolonged drought and urban sprawl.

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Blanche’s Nomination & DOJ Concerns: 02:00 – 05:39
• Michigan Democratic Senate Primary: 05:47 – 09:28
• Spokane Wildfires & Arson Arrest: 09:36 – 13:13

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Memorable Quotes

• “There is a long list of other issues...that should make Congress question Blanche’s leadership as well as his fitness to be Attorney General.”
  — Ryan Lucas, 04:32

• “People are pissed.”
  — Alyssa Deibault, Macomb County Democrats Chair, 07:56

• “I hope it’s still there. I have a lot of memories, pictures and stuff of my family that I can’t get back.”
  — Charlie Patrick, Spokane evacuee, 11:01

• “I never ever imagined us having to be a level three evacuation.”
  — Deborah Curran, Spokane resident, 12:00

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Tone & Takeaway

This episode highlights an atmosphere of tension, frustration, and uncertainty—from Washington D.C.’s contentious political process and Michigan’s high-stakes primary, to the raw loss and fear in wildfire-ravaged Spokane. The voices of everyday citizens and officials alike underscore the personal stakes driving these headline stories.

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Transcript

[E. Martinez]

The Senate Judiciary Committee votes today on Todd Blanche's nomination for attorney general.

[Steve Inskeep]

Blanche won the support of Republican holdouts after meeting their demands.

[E. Martinez]

What else concerns lawmakers about the record of the president's former personal lawyer, Amy Martinez. That is Steve Inskeep. And this is up first from NPR News.

[Steve Inskeep]

Five states hold primaries today in Michigan. Voters have some issues.

[Alyssa Deibault]

People are pissed.

[Voters (general public)]

Gas is expensive. Groceries are expensive. Health care is ins.

[Steve Inskeep]

Decide between two Senate candidates. How different are their choices?

[E. Martinez]

And a man is arrested on arson charges in connection to one of the wildfires ripping through Spokane, Washington. More than 60,000 people have evacuated.

[Elizabeth Schaeffer]

I have a lot of memories, pictures and stuff of my family that I can't get back.

[E. Martinez]

Stay with us. We've got the news you need to start your day.

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[Alyssa Deibault]

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[E. Martinez]

The Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to vote today on Todd Blanche's nomination for attorney general.

[Steve Inskeep]

Two Republican senators dropped their objections after President Trump's nominee put two statements in writing. Todd Blanche addressed demands from the senators relating to a fund that could be paid to the president's political supporters and also to a tax immunity deal.

[E. Martinez]

NPR justice correspondent Ryan Lucas joins us now with more. So, Ryan, for much of the past week, it wasn't really Blanche's nomination would get through or actually survive. So now the Senate Judiciary Committee is about to vote on it. What changed?

[Sam Greenglass]

Right.

[Ryan Lucas]

Well, what happened is Blanche and the Justice Department managed to provide the sort of written guarantees that addressed the demands of Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis. Now, Cornyn and Tillis are both Republican members of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Their support is critical for Blanche's nomination to advance. And they wanted written confirmation that a controversial $1.8 billion anti weaponization fund is dead. And also written limits to a tax immunity deal for Trump, his family and businesses. Late Sunday, Blanche released two documents that purport to address those. One says it formally rescinds the order that created the anti weaponization fund, meaning the fund is dead. The other purports to clarify the scope of the tax immunity deal, including that it only applies retroactively and only to Trump, two of his sons, and the Trump Organization. That said, legal experts say neither document that Blanche released is actually legally binding, and they don't provide the sort of ironclad guarantees that they purport to. But they are enough for Cornyn and Tillis, who yesterday thanked Blanche for the assurances and said they would now support his nomination.

[E. Martinez]

Yeah, now, typically, Republicans rubber stamp the president's nominees, but why was this issue one that really got these two senators to hold up Blanche's nomination?

[Ryan Lucas]

Look, this anti weaponization fund was deeply unpopular with Republican senators from the very beginning. Remember, this would be $1.8 billion of taxpayer money that the DOJ said could be doled out to, in essence, anyone. That includes rioters who attacked the Capitol on January 6th and beat up cops. The tax immunity deal was also problematic for some Republicans. As Cornyn himself put it last week, that deal would provide Trump with benefits that no other American taxpayer could get. To be clear, those benefits still very much remain in place. It's also worth pointing out that there is a long list of other issues at the Justice Department that legal experts, department veterans think should make Congress question Blanche's leadership as well as his fitness to be Attorney General.

[E. Martinez]

Okay, such as?

[Ryan Lucas]

Well, some point to his handling of the Epstein files. You can also look at the department's politicization under Blanch or the targeting of Trump's perceived enemies. But more broadly, there's also the unraveling of what's known as the presumption of regularity. This idea that courts assume that DOJ officials are acting, properly acting in good faith, that they're making accurate, factual representations in court. Under this administration, federal judges, we have seen them repeatedly express concerns about the Justice Department not complying with court orders. Judges have questioned the representations that the DOJ has made in court. We have also seen high profile cases unravel in spectacular fashion. Just in the past few days. For example, the U.S. attorney's office here in D.C. moved to dismiss its felony vandalism case against a former Olympic canoeist for damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting pool. In a court filing, the DOJ said the damage to the reflecting pool wasn't caused by vandalism, but instead was just the result of a botched installation job. So a dramatic climb down and as I said, really a long list of issues that raised concerns for many folks about Blanche. And yet these issues haven't really been much of a speed bump at all in his nomination process.

[E. Martinez]

That's NPR's Ryan Lucas. Ryan, thanks.

[Ryan Lucas]

Thank you.

[E. Martinez]

Five states hold primary elections today. The marquee race will be in Michigan, where Democrats see holding an open Senate seat as essential to reclaim the chamber.

[Steve Inskeep]

First, Democrats decide where to place their bet in a primary. They choose between two candidates to take on Republican Mike Rogers.

[E. Martinez]

NPR congressional reporter Sam Greenglass joins us from Petoskey, Michigan. Sam, what's it been like on the campaign trail?

[Sam Greenglass]

Hey, I've Talked with maybe 50 voters in the last two weeks from the Detroit river to Lake Michigan at a UAW picnic, local Democratic clubs, community events. And it is hard to overstate how tense this race has become. And a big reason for that is because it has turned into this proxy for so many of the debates roiling the party right now. You know, establishment versus insurgent, further left versus more moderate.

[E. Martinez]

So speaking of that, where do the two candidates sit on those lines?

[Sam Greenglass]

There is Congresswoman Haley Stevens. She flipped a suburban house district in 2018 and has focused on her crossover appeal and support for Michigan Manufacturing. She's got support from Michigan heavyweights like Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

[Elizabeth Schaeffer]

You know, I'm just beating MAGA four times in my congressional races, and I'm passing laws and I'm doing damn good work. We don't need wish lists.

[Abdul El Sayed]

We need action.

[Sam Greenglass]

Now, Stephen's opponent is former public health official Abdul El Sayed. He's backed by the left's biggest stars like Senator Bernie Sanders and is running on Medicare for All and eliminating corporate money from politics. He has criticized millions of dollars from the pro Israel lobby AIPAC flood the race against him.

[Abdul El Sayed (continued)]

The problem too often with the Democratic Party is that we have an instinct to say the right thing, but we're bought off by the people who are on the side of doing the wrong thing. And so we're constantly hedging and pulling punches.

[Sam Greenglass]

And so this race will test whether a candidate on the left like Al Sayed can prevail in a battleground state.

[E. Martinez]

Sam, you mentioned all of these tensions. How would you describe the common theme in this race?

[Sam Greenglass]

The prevailing feeling I am hearing is frustration even anger. This is Alyssa Deibault, chair of the Macomb County Democrats.

[Alyssa Deibault]

People are pissed.

[Voters (general public)]

Gas is expensive. Groceries are expensive. Health care is insane.

[Sam Greenglass]

She says the voters hungry for change now are not always motivated by leftist politics. It's more demand for candidates who will buck the system, not do the same old same old.

[E. Martinez]

Okay, so how is that kind of filtering into how voters are thinking about their choice?

[Elizabeth Schaeffer]

Yeah.

[Sam Greenglass]

So I met so many voters truly struggling with their vote. On a Lake Michigan beach, Elizabeth Schaeffer told me holding the seat is what matters.

[Voters (general public)]

Who has the best chance of beating the Republican, that's going to be my biggest priority.

[Sam Greenglass]

But up the beach, Madison Miles decided she just didn't want to think that way anymore.

[Voters (general public)]

And I just want to vote for who I think will be the best representative for me and my belief.

[Sam Greenglass]

Now pundits and politicians will try to make inferences from what happens in Michigan. One Democrat I talked to, Joel Rutherford, said none of this will matter in 2028 if Democrats win both chambers this fall and fail to deliver.

[Elizabeth Schaeffer]

All right.

[E. Martinez]

Now, what else will you be watching today?

[Sam Greenglass]

I'm also keeping tabs on primaries in Michigan's governor's race and several competitive House seats. It is also primary day in Kansas, Missouri, Washington and Virginia. One race I'm watching is in the St. Louis area where former Congresswoman Cor Bush is challenging Representative Wesley Bell from the left, another test of how much an anti establishment mood is powering this political moment.

[E. Martinez]

That's NPR congressional reporter Sam Greenglass in Michigan. Sam, thanks.

[Sam Greenglass]

You're welcome.

[E. Martinez]

We go next to Spokane, Washington, where authorities have a man in custody on arson charges in connection with the Old Trails fire. It's one of three, three out of control wildfires that have burned hundreds of homes. We've got NPR's Kirk Sigler on the line from Spokane. Kirk, tell us more about this arrest.

[Kirk Sigler]

Well, the sheriff's office says it's arrested a suspect, a 37 year old Spokane man. He's a convicted felon. It's part of their investigation into the origins of the Old Trails Fire. It's the most destructive wildfire of the three burning here in and around the city right now. The suspect's name is Aaron Farinacci. He was arrested, we're told, without incident, being charged with first degree arson. And this is a significant development. I mean, combined, these three fires have displaced tens of thousands of people since last weekend, which is just extraordinary for a city of this size.

[E. Martinez]

Now you're across the street from the downtown Spokane Convention center that's been Transformed into a Red Cross shelter.

[Kirk Sigler]

Right. There have been dozens of people sleeping inside on cots. There's just a lot of need. They're looking to expand the shelter. It's also not just residents having to flee these neighborhoods. We're talking about the evacuation of businesses, the entire VA hospital campus. I've been watching people coming in here on buses from nursing homes, homes, elder care facilities. I met Charlie Patrick, who's 54 and disabled, and she's struggling with the dense smoke here in Spokane. It's brutal. And just listen as she chokes back tears. A saying she doesn't know if she has an apartment to even go home to.

[Elizabeth Schaeffer]

I hope so, cuz I want to be homeless. I hope it's still there. I have a lot of memories, pictures and stuff of my family that I can't get back.

[E. Martinez]

Wow. Any idea when people might be allowed back in?

[Kirk Sigler]

Well, some have, just to check on things. It could be days though, maybe weeks. It just depends on what these fires do. It's a very tenuous situation. One minute the winds will pick back up, they'll shift direction and start threatening neighborhoods again. You know, these are the major urban wildfires we've come to dread and know all too well it's not the level of destruction just yet like we saw in Los Angeles last year, but it's a big worry here in Spokane. You've got fires that started out in the wildlands outside the city. Wind brings them into these neighborhoods and the structures themselves, the houses, just create the fuel for the fires to spread. Longtime locals like Deborah Curran are shocked. You know, until this last weekend, the idea of evacuating from a wildfire in the city hadn't really been on her mind.

[Voters (general public)]

Obviously we've had wildfire seasons a lot, and I never, because we live so inward in the city, I never ever imagined us having to be a level three evacuation.

[E. Martinez]

Yeah, and she sounds exactly like someone who has lived in Altadena or in Palisades might have thought in the last couple of years. But given. Given the western drought, I mean, is this on the radar of city officials?

[Kirk Sigler]

Well, here fire officials have been warning about this and worried about this very thing happening for years. I mean, I remember being up here a decade or so ago doing a story about them planning about this very situation happening. And like a lot of American cities, even here in the Pacific Northwest, Spokane has been built out into what's known as the wildland urban interface. You've got these dense stands of ponderosa pine forests next to gas stations, the mall, the Costco, and they're just towering their presence in so many neighborhoods. And right now with climate change and coming off the winter that we just had, the extremely dry and warm, these forests and brush are just dry and flammable. It's only being made worse by climate change. And everyone across the region is worried right now. And hey, it's only early August.

[E. Martinez]

That is NPR's Kirk Sigler in Spokane, Washington. Kirk, thanks.

[Kirk Sigler]

You're welcome.

[E. Martinez]

And that's Up first for Tuesday, August 4th. I'm E. Martinez.

[Steve Inskeep]

And I'm Steve Inskeep. Today's Up first was edited by Anna Yugananoff, Jason Breslow, Jennifer Portman, Arizu Rezvani and Lindsay Totty. It was produced by Ziad Buch and Nia Dumas. Our director is Christopher Thomas. And I'm laughing because the words on the page here say we get engineering support from engineer and our technical director is technical director. I know that. Our technical director is Carly Strange. Nisha Hyness is giving us engineering support. And our supervising senior producer is Vince Pearson, who's giving us credit support. Join us again tomorrow.

[E. Martinez]

All part of the machine here. No one has a name. Everyone's just what they are. Host, host.

[Steve Inskeep]

I'm host, host producer and I'm host, director.

[Alyssa Deibault]

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[Abdul El Sayed]

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