“Since President Donald Trump tapped Todd Blanche, his former defense attorney, to temporarily lead the Justice Department this month, the message from those familiar with the president’s thinking has remained consistent: A permanent shot at the job of attorney general is Blanche’s to lose,” the Washington Post reports.

“But that hasn’t stopped a frenzied competition to push other candidates for what has become one of the most important Cabinet-level posts in the president’s plans for his second term. And the uncertainty around top leadership roles has prompted concern from some in a department already struggling with claims of politicization and the abandonment of long-held norms over the lengths to which Trump’s next pick may go to impress him.”

The Washington Post finds that President Trump has brought the proposed White House ballroom up publicly on about one-third of the days in 2026 so far — roughly equivalent to how often he’s mentioned affordability.

Wall Street Journal: “He is veering between belligerent and conciliatory approaches and grappling behind the scenes with just how badly things could go wrong.”

“At the same time, the president sometimes loses focus, spending time on the details of his plans for the White House ballroom or on midterm fundraisers—and telling advisers he wants to shift to other topics…”

“Still, he has made risky pronouncements without input from his national security team—including his post about plans to destroy the Iranian civilization—saying seeming unstable could help spur the Iranians to negotiate.”

“At one point he even mused he should award himself the nation’s highest military honor, the Medal of Honor.”

“President Donald Trump’s job approval rating has sunk to a new low as Americans express growing concerns about rising costs and the war with Iran,” according to an NBC News Decision Desk Poll.

“Overall, 37% of adults approve of Trump’s performance as president, while 63% disapprove — including 50% who said they disapprove strongly — putting his job rating at the lowest point of his second term… Two-thirds of respondents also disapproved of Trump’s handling of inflation and the Iran conflict.”