Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche is set to testify before Congress Tuesday in his first appearance since assuming leadership of the Justice Department, as lawmakers prepare to grill him about a controversial $1.776 billion compensation fund for supporters of President Donald Trump who claim they faced political persecution.
Trump also announced Monday that he is postponing a planned military operation against Iran scheduled for Tuesday, citing ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict. “There seems to be a very good chance that they can work something out. If we can do that without bombing the hell out of them, I’d be very happy,” Trump stated at the White House Monday evening, after initially revealing the decision on social media.
The president explained he had prepared “a very major attack” but decided to delay it “for a little while, hopefully, maybe forever.” He noted that Gulf region allies requested a two to three day postponement because they believe a diplomatic agreement with Iran is within reach.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin is heading to China for meetings with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, coming just days after President Trump concluded his own visit to Beijing. Putin’s Tuesday and Wednesday visit will be monitored closely as Beijing attempts to balance its relationship with the United States while maintaining strong connections with Russia.
The Kremlin announced that Putin and Xi will focus on economic partnerships between their nations, along with “key international and regional issues.” This diplomatic meeting marks the 25th anniversary of the Sino-Russian Treaty of Friendship established in 2001.
China serves as a crucial trade ally for Russia, particularly following Moscow’s comprehensive invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Beijing maintains it remains neutral in the Ukrainian conflict while continuing commercial relationships with the Kremlin despite economic and financial penalties imposed by the U.S. and Europe.
Regarding the Iran situation, Trump has been issuing warnings for weeks that the ceasefire established in mid-April could collapse if Iran fails to negotiate an agreement, with changing conditions for reaching such a deal. During the weekend, he cautioned, “For Iran, the Clock is Ticking, and they better get moving, FAST, or there won’t be anything left of them.”
The Justice Department revealed Monday that Trump supporters who feel they have been unjustly investigated and charged may soon access a nearly $1.8 billion compensation program. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche described the “Anti-Weaponization Fund” as providing “a lawful process for victims of lawfare and weaponization to be heard and seek redress.” Blanche’s announcement did not address how investigations and prosecutions of Trump’s political adversaries under his leadership have subjected the Justice Department to similar accusations of politicized law enforcement that he claims to oppose.
The compensation program emerged from a settlement of Trump’s $10 billion legal action against the Internal Revenue Service concerning the disclosure of his tax documents. The initiative aligns with Trump’s persistent allegations that the Justice Department under the Biden administration was weaponized against him, despite then-President Joe Biden himself facing scrutiny during that period.
Trump informed White House reporters Monday that the fund is intended for “reimbursing people who were horribly treated.”
In Kentucky politics, Republican voters in the northern region will decide Tuesday between U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie and challenger Ed Gallrein in a House primary that serves as another measure of President Donald Trump’s influence within his party after he personally selected Gallrein to challenge the sitting congressman.
The primary contest intensified dramatically in recent days. Massie assembled support from fellow Republicans, including Rep. Lauren Boebert, attempting to demonstrate to voters they could back both him and Trump. Trump escalated his social media criticism of Massie, labeling him “an obstructionist and a fool,” while Gallrein appeared alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday.
Trump has consolidated control over the Republican Party during his second term, successfully removing those who oppose his agenda, but Massie remains among the final and most vocal critics. A Massie loss Tuesday would represent one of the strongest displays of Trump’s sway over Republican voters to date. This contest has become the costliest U.S. House primary in American history.
Blanche’s congressional appearance Tuesday before a Senate appropriations subcommittee follows Monday’s revelation about establishing the “Anti-Weaponization Fund,” which opponents have condemned as an unlawful power abuse intended to enrich Trump allies with public funds.
Since taking charge of the Justice Department, Blanche has acted decisively to implement the president’s agenda. Tuesday’s hearing is scheduled to examine the Trump administration’s budget proposal for the Justice Department but will likely explore additional controversies that have heightened concerns about undermining the law enforcement agency’s historical independence from the White House.
