"Line from NPR News, I'm Lakshmi Singh.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanch's on Capitol Hill today, in testimony before Senate lawmakers
“Blanch defended a massive fund created to compensate people affected by what President Trump”
calls the weaponization of the Justice Department under the Biden administration. Here's NPR's Ryan Lucas. The Justice Department announced the nearly $1.8 billion fund as part of a settlement agreement with President Trump, who in return dropped his lawsuit against the IRS. The Department says it will consider claims from people who were victims of weaponization
and law fair. Democratic senators slammed the settlement as a slush fund. Here's Washington Democrat Patty Murray.
"This is corruption that has never been more blatant or more right-spit.
What is happening is you write the check, Trump and his counties cash it, American taxpayers who are already being worked with high prices are going to foot the bill." Blanch defended the arrangement and said Democrats and Republicans could submit claims. He also didn't rule out that January 6th Capitol rioters could be eligible to receive payments. Ryan Lucas and PR News, Washington.
"Well, at the White House, briefing a short time ago, Vice President J.D.
“Vance was asked if January 6th rioter should be eligible to apply for the nearly $1.8 billion”
fund." "Is a dollar of this money going to the Trump administration?" "No." "Is a dollar of this money going to Donald Trump personally?" "No."
"Is a dollar of this money going to Donald Trump's family?" "No."
"The people that would get the money are people.
Some of whom have been prosecuted completely disproportionate to any crime they've ever committed." Vance, leading the White House press briefing today while press secretary Caroline Levitts on maternity leave. Primary contests are underway in six dates, and ahead of a runoff next week in Texas, President Trump is endorsing state attorney general Ken Paxt in over income and Senator
John Kornant, the winner in next Tuesday's election will face democratic state representative James Taloreco. The Muslim community in San Diego is mourning the deaths of three people who were shot and killed at a mosque yesterday. The attack is being investigated as a hate crime, and PR is Lydia Collitri spoke with
a leader of the region's Muslim community. "To Zenizam is the Executive Director of the Council on American Islamic Relations in San Diego. He says the Muslim community there is shaken by the attack, and it could take a long time for people to recover. She also knew a mean of Dula, who was working as a security guard for the Islamic
Center before he was killed." "The kids loved him. He stood there smiling every day, welcoming community members, making sure the center was protected." Nizam says she's seen an increasing number of hate incidents and attacks on places of worship
in the US each year. One calls on communities to come together and address anti-Muslim rhetoric. Lydia Collitri and PR news. "You're listening to NPR." Home Depot widely viewed as a barometer for consumer spending nationwide is reporting somewhat
better than expected financial results, and we are Scott Horstly with the latest. Home Depot's sales were up in the most recent quarter, and while profits were down, they fell less than four casters had expected. The sluggish housing market has been a drag on home improvement centers. Home Depot's one of several major retailers, investors, are watching this week, as they try
to take the temperature of the US consumer. Gasoline prices are inching up again as we approach the Memorial Day weekend, which traditionally marks the beginning of the summer driving season. Triple A says the average price of regular gas is $4.53 a gallon. Rood oil prices have fallen slightly, but are still above $100 a barrel.
Scott Horstly, and PR news, Washington.
The Vatican says that Pope Leo's first official teaching letter called Ann Encyclical will
be released next week, and PR's Jason D'Rose reports, it will discuss what it means to be human in the era of artificial intelligence. Encyclical's title is "Magnificent Humanity." The Vatican says when it's presented next week, Pope Leo will be joined by the co-founder of the tech company, and Thropic, Christopher Ola.
Enthropic is currently suing the Trump administration for illegal retaliation. Earlier this year, the administration ordered federal departments and agencies to stop using Enthropic's artificial intelligence program, because the company refused to allow the US military unrestricted use of its AI technology.
“The new Encyclical comes on the 1305th anniversary of another important Vatican document,”
"Raram Novaram" about human dignity in the industrial age. Jason D'Rose and PR news. News shows new music, new movies, keeping up with pop culture sometimes feels like a full-time job. Thankfully, over at pop culture happy-hour, it's literally our job.
We break down what's actually worth watching, listening to, and pretending you already knew about. So the next time someone says, "Did you see that?" You can say, "Yeah, obviously." Follow NPR's pop culture happy-hour wherever you get your podcasts.
