Tuesday, May 19 | By Cate Martel
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Blanche says new DOJ fund could pay Trump allies Trump shows off ballroom construction Vance’s turn at the White House podium Jam-packed primary day in 6 states Cassidy’s primary loss sends shock waves through GOP
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Have you been wronged by the Biden administration? Call 1-800-DOJ for compensation!: |
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche is testifying on Capitol Hill today, as most Cabinet secretaries have over the past several weeks.
What is top of mind: Blanche is facing scrutiny over news that the Department of Justice (DOJ) may soon pay President Trump’s allies who claim they have been wrongfully targeted by the Biden administration through a $1.776 billion compensation fund. Blanche called it the “anti-weaponization fund” on Monday and it could pay rioters who have been convicted in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack at the U.S. Capitol. What to know about this slush fund
Blanche was unsurprisingly asked about this fund: Blanche defended it, arguing it’s not limited to just Republicans. “There’s no limitation on the claim,” Blanche told senators, arguing anyone can apply for the “anti-weaponization” fund.
Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) pushed Blanche to commit to prohibiting Trump campaign donors or members of groups like the Oath Keepers from gaining money from this new fund. Blanche said he would not commit to that pledge.
NEW: The Treasury Department’s chief legal officer has resigned following the DOJ’s decision to open this fund. Read the NYT’s reporting on his resignation letter
Other newsy moments:
Ghislane Maxwell came up: Blanche says he would not recommend a pardon for Jeffrey Epstein’s close associate, Ghislane Maxwell. She’s serving a 20-year prison sentence.
The DOJ’s budget: The White House is seeking $40.8 billion for the DOJ. That’s a 13 percent increase from this year.
💻 Watch Blanche’s hearing
💬 Follow today’s live blog
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— Vice President Vance is taking his turn at running a White House press briefing while press secretary Karoline Leavitt is out on maternity leave. Remember, Secretary of State Marco Rubio got his shot earlier this month. 💻 1 p.m. livestream
— The annual Congressional Picnic is happening on the White House’s South Lawn this evening. It’ll be a hot one. 📸 Monday’s ice cream delivery for the picnic
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Trump shows off his pet project: |
President Trump made an impromptu appearance outside the White House today to show reporters his plans for the new ballroom.
He insisted the project is being paid for by private donors and himself.
Wow, this is rare: The White House served breakfast sandwiches and drinks to the press who came to hear about his ballroom construction plans. Trump’s special assistant, Margo Martin, says Trump asked the White House chef to prepare breakfast. 📸 Photo of the breakfast spread
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➤ SPOTTED AT THE WHITE HOUSE: |
Billionaire Mark Cuban joined Trump on stage during his prescription drug pricing event. 📸 Cuban and Trump
The event: Trump announced that more than 600 generic drugs will be added to his drug coupon platform, TrumpRX. Remember, Cuban has a similar business as TrumpRX, called Cost Plus Drugs.
Tidbit: Cuban was asked if he is considering running for president in 2028. “Hell no,” he said. 📸 Cuban outside the White House
Oh, and NewsNation’s Libbey Dean asked Cuban if he would like to see Vice President Vance or Secretary of State Marco Rubio run for president in 2028. Cuban said he prefers whoever can lower drug prices the most.
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A li’l super Tuesday today: |
Six states — Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Oregon and Pennsylvania — are holding their midterm primaries today.
The big races to watch:
🏇 Kentucky: Trump is seeking to oust Rep. Thomas Massie (R), who hasn’t been an ally of the president. This will be a big test of Trump’s influence.
🍑 Georgia: Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) is the only Democratic senator running for reelection in a battleground state Trump won in 2024. Plus, the race to replace Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R), who is term-limited, is a crowded battle on both sides.
🏈 Alabama: Former Sen. Doug Jones (D) and Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R) are expected to win their primaries for Alabama governor. That means they would get a rematch in November! (Tuberville ousted Jones from the Senate in 2020).
The Hill’s campaign team breaks down the races to watch.
How to watch the results: The Hill will host live coverage of today’s primary election results this evening. 💻 Watch live from 7-10 p.m.
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The buzz on the Hill — how not to be Bill Cassidy: |
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) lost his primary election over the weekend, sending shock waves through the Senate Republican Conference.
💡 Why this is a big deal: A sitting senator losing his primary and failing to even qualify for the June 27 runoff is obviously a big deal. He didn’t even come in the top two (!) But aside from that, Cassidy had distanced himself politically from Trump. Trump has an uncomfortably low approval rating but The Hill’s Alexander Bolton writes how other Republicans who also want to keep their distance from the president will now have to think twice.
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Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) riding on Sen. Jim Justice’s (R-W.Va.) scooter, per The Bulwark’s Joe Perticone. 📸 Photo
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— NBC News finally received the Trump Mobile phone they ordered nine months ago. It came preloaded with Truth Social and has an American flag on the back with 11 stripes. It’s no longer being made in the U.S., but the box reads, “Proudly Assembled in the USA.” Read more from NBC’s review
— Hotel housekeepers in New York City will make more than $100,000 a year as part of a contract agreement. Without a deal, there could have been a big strike this summer during the World Cup and the 250th celebrations.
— Remember when six U.S. service members were killed in a midair crash that the Pentagon said happened in “friendly airspace?” Well, The Atlantic reports that initial classified reports suggest it wasn’t quite as clear-cut. Read more: ‘What Caused a Midair Crash That Killed Six U.S. Troops?’
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CNN: Trump is losing his grip on his most important demographic
Franklin Foer in The Atlantic: Xi Jinping Was Only Humoring Trump: In Beijing, a lame-duck president personified the decline of American power.
The New York Times: Silicon Valley’s Answer to Declining Male Fertility? Sperm Racing.
The Wall Street Journal: The American Rebellion Against AI Is Gaining Steam
Financial Times: Iran stockpiles oil on aging tankers anchored in the Gulf
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The House meets at noon. The Senate is in. President Trump is at the White House. (All times EDT)
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12:30 p.m. Senators meet for weekly caucus meetings. 📆 Today’s agenda
1 p.m. Vice President Vance briefs reporters. 💻 Livestream
2:15 p.m. Two Senate votes on nominations. A vote on Iran is also expected today.
3 p.m. Trump holds an Oval Office policy meeting.
4:30 p.m. Trump signs executive orders.
7 p.m. The Hill hosts live coverage of today’s primary election results. 💻 Watch live
7:15 p.m. Trump and first lady Melania Trump speak at the Congressional Picnic on the South Lawn. 💻 Livestream
Thursday Actor Noah Wyle — who plays Dr. Robby on HBO’s “The Pitt” — will lead a healthcare rally on Capitol Hill.
Friday Trump will join Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) for an event in his district, which is one of the most competitive House districts in the country.
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Red, Flight & Blue: The Future of U.S. Aviation
Wednesday, May 20, 8 am - 10 am ET
As the U.S. prepares for its busiest air travel season in history, policymakers and industry leaders are racing to modernize aging infrastructure, overhaul air traffic control, and secure the skies. The Hill and Airlines for America (A4A) convene lawmakers, administration officials, and aviation executives for a breakfast policy briefing on the future of U.S. aviation. Speaker highlights:
Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Wash.) Eric Eversole, President, Hiring Our Heroes Thomas Culligan, VP, Aerospace Safety, Commercial Aviation & Corporate Policy, Boeing
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