From the New York Times, it's the headlines.

I'm Will Jarvis in for Tracy Mumford.

Today's Tuesday, May 19th.

Here's what we're covering.

Donald Trump is setting up a $1.7 billion political slush fund for the proud boys and the oathkeepers and his other political

lieutenants and hangers on. In Washington, critics are blasting a highly unusual fund that was

announced yesterday by the Trump administration. The White House said the nearly two billion dollar

pot of money will be used to compensate people who claim they were persecuted during the Biden

administration. The fund creates a pipeline that could be used to funnel taxpayer money to President

Trump's allies and was quickly criticized by Democrats and others as a presidential slush fund.

The head of a non-profit legal watchdog, citizens for responsibility and ethics in Washington,

called the fund's creation, quote, one of the single most corrupt acts in American history.

This is reimbursing people that were horribly treated, horribly treated. It's anti-weaponization.

The Justice Department will oversee the fund and hear claims from people who, quote,

suffered weaponization and lawfare.

But neither the department nor President Trump have said what exactly weaponization means

or who might be eligible to be paid.

Do you believe that people who committed violence against Capitol Hill police officers on January

6th should be eligible for compensation from

this DOJ fund.

It'll all be dependent on a committee. A committee is being set up of very talented people,

very highly respected people.

...