Blanche will face questions from lawmakers over a fund to compensate Trump allies

UNDATED-AP- Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche will appear on Capitol Hill for his first congressional testimony since taking the reins at the Justice Department, as the agency faces intense scrutiny over its plans to create a $1.776 billion fund to pay allies of President Donald Trump who believe they were targeted politically. Also, Trump said he’s holding off on a military strike on Iran planned for Tuesday (May 19, 2026) because “serious negotiations” are underway to end the war. Trump said he had planned “a very major attack” but put it off. He said America’s allies in the Gulf asked him to wait for two to three days because they feel they’re close to a deal with Iran.