Trump’s pick for attorney-general faces Senate hearing later today - US politics live

Key Points:

• Todd Blanche, President Trump's nominee for US attorney general and his former personal defense lawyer, faces a contentious Senate Judiciary Committee hearing today, with potential opposition from Democrats and some Republicans that could block his appointment.
• Blanche has served as acting attorney general since Pam Bondi's firing and is criticized by Democrats for allegedly participating in a "retribution" campaign against Trump's political adversaries.
• Other significant confirmation hearings are scheduled, including Jay Clayton for intelligence agency leadership and Dr. Erica Schwartz for permanent CDC director, alongside Sean Kaufman for emergency preparedness roles.
• Federal immigration officials have been ordered to halt vehicle stops following recent fatal shootings during immigration enforcement operations, amid a series of deaths linked to such encounters this week.
• Supreme Court justices have requested a $14.6 million increase in security funding due to a surge in threats, with Justice Amy Coney Barrett highlighting the personal impact of these threats on her and her family.