Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche faced a packed schedule of Capitol Hill testimony Tuesday, leading a parade of Cabinet officials as lawmakers pressed him on a controversial new compensation fund. Blanche confirmed that the $1.776 billion fund, unveiled Monday to assist individuals who allege they were unfairly targeted during the Biden administration, is open to all U.S. residents.
During a tense exchange with Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), Blanche stated, “That’s not for me to set, that’s for the commissioners, and whether an individual, an Oath Keeper, as you just mentioned, applies for compensation — anybody in this country can apply.” The remark drew sharp reactions, as critics noted the fund could potentially benefit far-right extremists convicted in connection with the January 6 Capitol attack.
The fund’s scope and governance remain unclear. Blanche indicated that a commission would determine payouts on a case-by-case basis, but he declined to specify eligibility criteria or caps. The development comes amid broader scrutiny of the Justice Department’s budget and priorities. Acting AG Blanche also faced questions about Trump’s $40.8 billion DOJ budget request and the administration’s anti-weaponization initiatives.
Alongside Blanche, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, acting Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, and acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao testified on various issues. The hearings mark a significant day of oversight as the administration pushes its legislative agenda.
Kentucky Primary Showdown
In Kentucky, the political battle between President Donald Trump and Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) reached a critical juncture Tuesday. Massie, a libertarian-leaning conservative, faces a well-funded Trump-backed challenger in what has become the most expensive House primary in U.S. history. The race has drawn national attention as a test of Trump’s grip on the GOP base. Trump has intensified efforts to unseat Massie, with Georgia and Alabama primaries also on the calendar.
Massie, known for his independent streak and frequent votes against party leadership, has turned Trump’s attacks into a fundraising boon. His campaign has leveraged the president’s opposition to rally small-dollar donors, but the incumbent still faces an uphill battle against millions in outside spending. The primary has drawn endorsements from high-profile figures, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who stumped for Trump’s pick.
Voters in Alabama, Georgia, and Pennsylvania also head to the polls Tuesday, with several down-ballot races shaping the broader political landscape. Vice President J.D. Vance is scheduled to brief reporters at the White House at 1 p.m., and Trump is expected to speak at the congressional picnic in the evening.
The outcome in Kentucky will be closely watched as a bellwether for Trump’s influence in Republican primaries. Massie’s fate could signal whether the party’s libertarian wing can survive the president’s wrath or if Trump’s endorsement remains a near-insurmountable force.
