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Vice President JD Vance Holds White House Press Briefing; Six States Holding Consequential Primary Races; Investigators Call Deadly Mosque Shooting A Hate Crime; Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche Grilled In Senate Hearing Over Epstein Probe, DOJ Funding. Aired 1- 1:30p ET

Aired May 19, 2026 - 13:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

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[13:00:07]

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This is CNN Breaking News.

BORIS SANCHEZ, CNN HOST: Breaking news to CNN right now. All eyes on the White House press briefing room. At any moment, Vice President JD Vance will take his turn fielding questions from reporters. You can expect Vance, who has led previous negotiations with Iran, to be asked about where talks stand after President Trump yesterday said he postponed new strikes.

Here is the president explaining that decision earlier.

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DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: I was, I was an hour away. We were all set to go. You're talking about yesterday?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Yes.

TRUMP: We were going to be striking very -- it would have been happening right now. Yes, it was all done. The boats, the ships are all loaded. They're loaded to the brim and we were all set this time.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SANCHEZ: CNN anchor and chief White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins is standing by live in the briefing room. And Kaitlan, there is a lot we are expecting the vice president to address.

KAITLAN COLLINS, CNN CHIEF WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Boris, there is, there are multiple questions that he could face when the vice president comes in here, which I should remind you is happening because the press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, is on her maternity leave right now. So we've seen other top officials come in here into the briefing room, including the Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, now to be the vice president, JD Vance, taking questions from reporters inside a very packed briefing room today where there are so many topics that could come up, including the questions that President Trump himself faced earlier from reporters as he was touring them around the White House ballroom construction here on the South Lawn of the White House.

That's where he said that Iran attack could happen early next week, that he is giving them a few more days as these negotiations are continuing to play out. Esther, he announced yesterday pretty abruptly on Truth Social that he was planning to attack Iran today, something he says he was at about an hour away from making that decision yesterday when he decided at the behest of allies like Qatar and Saudi Arabia, to end up calling off those attacks while these negotiations are playing out.

So obviously we'll see what the vice president has to say about the state of those negotiations. But also there is so much news here domestically as well, with all of those primaries that are taking place today. And earlier you saw President Trump come out and make good on his statement earlier that he was going to endorse a candidate in the Senate Texas primary race. He came out and endorsed Ken Paxton.

Obviously that throws a huge wrench in the Senate GOP plans given he is coming out and endorsing someone who is running against a current incumbent right now on Capitol Hill in John Cornyn. And then of course, the president also weighed in on Thomas Massie, who is up for his election tonight in his primary.

There are open questions on whether or not he is going to survive that after the repeated attacks by the president and the endorsement of his rival in that race. And you saw the defense secretary Pete Hegseth out there campaigning for him yesterday in an incredibly rare moment to see the Pentagon chief out on the campaign trail in that way.

And then of course, the deputy attorney general, the acting attorney general, Todd Blanche is up on Capitol Hill and he's been testifying in front of lawmakers and defending that fund that was created and confirmed by the Justice Department yesterday that could potentially benefit allies of this White House who believe that they were wrongfully prosecuted or investigated by previous Justice Departments.

And so there's a lot out there on the agenda. Obviously a lot of questions for the vice president when he comes out here to the lectern any moment now, Boris.

SANCHEZ: Now a lot on the agenda and it is set to begin in just seconds. Kaitlan Collins at the White House will go there when it does. Thank you so much. Brianna.

BRIANNA KEILAR, CNN HOST: And let's talk about the primaries. Voters in six states are heading to the polls in what could be the most consequential races, no Republican has infuriated President Trump more than Congressman Thomas Massie. And today Trump is hoping Republican voters in Kentucky will help oust one of his biggest critics.

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TRUMP: MAGA is most of the Republican Party. The rhinos are gone to a large extent. A few of them are still left. So hopefully we get rid of one tonight in the form of Tom Massie, who's horrible.

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KEILAR: And in Georgia, a Trump backed candidate is facing off against former secretary of state who refused to help President Trump find the votes that he needed to overturn the 2020 election. Our reporters are following it all. Let's start with Jeff Zeleny who is in Kentucky in what is now one of the most expensive races in house history. Jeff.

JEFF ZELENY, CNN CHIEF NATIONAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: Brianna, it's really been extraordinary, more than $32 million spent here for a House Republican primary. This is not going to determine the balance of power in the fall because this seat is almost certain to remain a red here in deep red Kentucky.

But it's all about how the president is viewed and how Thomas Massie is viewed. I mean, there has been so much outside attention focused on this race. But when you talk to Kentucky voters, many of them view Thomas Massie in a different lens. They view him as someone that they have known for a very long time.

So a question here is, are some of these attacks going to backfire? That is very much an open question because so much money has been sent trying to define Thomas Massie. But one voter who said he was generally torn about this described his vote like this.

[13:05:11]

JOE HICKS, KENTUCKY REPUBLICAN VOTER: I like that he just doesn't go with the flow. Right. I think that we need a few people to kind of go against the grain and really consider what their voters really want and not just what Trump wants them to do or what Obama wants them to do. Just got to think for yourself.

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ZELENY: So, look, we will see if that voter is an outlier, but his words think for yourself is something certainly the Massie campaign hopes voters here do. The polls have been open since 6:00 a.m. and they close tonight at 6. Brianna.

KEILAR: Jeff, thank you. And let's go now to Ryan Young, who is in Georgia. Ryan, there's an important gubernatorial and senate primary there.

RYAN YOUNG, CNN SENIOR NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: 100 percent in this state is really turning purple to a certain extent. There is such a battle in terms of who will be the next governor, who will be the next senator from the state. We know John Ossoff is running unopposed on his primary side. But then of course, there's a logjam of Republican candidates who are trying to get a chance to battle him.

But on the governor's side, of course, Brian Kemp is a really popular governor in the state. He hasn't endorsed anyone. But President Trump has endorsed Bert Jones and he wants him to be the next governor of the state of Georgia. And I can tell you the ads here have been explosive. Everyone started talking about it. Over $120 million have been spent so far just for the ads for the governor's race. And on top of all that, more than a million Georgia voters have voted early. That's breaking records here.

In fact, take a listen to voters that we've talked to today as they express why they wanted to come out for this vote.

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YOUNG: What motivated you today to want to come out and vote?

RONNIE HEATON, GEORGIA VOTER: Well, just the whole thing, just the whole economy and everything. Just to get out and do my part.

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YOUNG: Yes. Brianna, I know we're freezing a little bit on air here, but what we've been told there there's no freeze in terms of what voters are concerned about. They are excited to talk about the kitchen table issues. In fact, we talked to one mother who said, look, prices are getting too high for everything when it comes to formula, to diapers, to all of this. And that's what they're concerned about. They want more people to understand that they need help at home.

KEILAR: Ryan, thank you for that. And CNN's Danny Freeman is in Pennsylvania where Governor Josh Shapiro's name has been discussed as a potential 2028 presidential candidate.

DANNY FREEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, that's right, Brianna. And there are really two main storylines that we're following here in Pennsylvania, the ultimate battleground state. First is we're looking at a number of swing congressional districts all across the state that will definitely become in play in November if the Democrats have any hope of trying to overtake the House of Representatives.

But then we're also looking to what exactly will be the amount of influence Governor Josh Shapiro will have on some of these all important districts. So that brings us to where we are here in Allentown, Brianna. This is the heart of the 7th Congressional District here in Pennsylvania. It is a seat that is very swingy. A Republican won it from a Democrat back in 2024. That's Republican Ryan Mackenzie.

Well, now Democrats are trying to flip it again this November. And today really the marquee race is that Democratic primary to see which Democrat will ultimately go on to face Mackenzie in the fall. And this brings us to Governor Shapiro of it all.

Governor Shapiro actually decided to weigh in on this primary race. It's a toss-up heated race between four Democrats. And Governor Shapiro put his energy and his endorsement behind Bob Brooks, a firefighter in this area. And the question that we are all going to be looking for as we go into polls closing later on tonight is will Bob Brooks be able to, with the wind of Governor Shapiro's endorsement at his back, lead this contested primary here in Allentown in the surrounding Lehigh Valley area.

But again, Brianna, like you heard from Ryan and so many others, when it comes to voters, what we're hearing on the ground here, affordability, affordability. As I was driving in here, gas prices in Allentown, Pennsylvania, as much as $4.89 a gallon. Voters are saying that's one of the biggest reasons that they're coming out to the polls today. Brianna.

KEILAR: Yes, it's tough. Danny Freeman, thank you so much. Some new information on the deadly shooting at a San Diego mosque. What we're learning about the suspects and the security guard who is being hailed as a hero.

And we're waiting on Vice President JD Vance. He is set to hold a briefing at the White House. We'll bring you his remarks live once they get started. Stay with CNN News Central.

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SANCHEZ: We're anticipating an update today on the deadly shooting at San Diego's largest mosque where three people were killed Monday in what's being investigated as a hate crime. We still don't know the names of all the victims, but the police chief is calling a slain security guard a hero for saving lives.

A fundraising campaign identified him as Amin Abdullah. This video from a previous date shows him greetings someone. He's a father of eight. The mosque, which also houses a school, was full of children yesterday. And we're now hearing what some of the students witnessed, including this nine-year-old.

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ODA SHANAH, 9-YEAR-OLD STUDENT: I heard like a bunch of bad stuff like gunshots. And plus I went inside the closet with my whole class. We heard like 12 or like 16 gunshots. And then the SWAT team said if you open up, then they opened the door and they went inside. They told us to put our hands up and form a big line.

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[13:15:00]

SANCHEZ: Police say they found the bodies of two male suspects, ages 17 and 18, in a car nearby. Appeared -- they appear to have died, I should say from self-inflicted gunshot wounds. CNN senior correspondent Josh Campbell is there. Josh, what is the latest you've learned about the investigation?

JOSH CAMPBELL, CNN SENIOR CORRESPONDENT: Well, we're learning critical new details about the timeline. Just before this attack, police say that they were called to the home of the mother of one of the suspects, the 17 year old. She was concerned that her son might be suicidal. He left home with this 18 year old companion. He was wearing camouflage. She discovered that her vehicle was missing as well as her firearms.

Now police immediately begin a threat assessment. They try to locate this vehicle in the San Diego area. About two hours later, an active shooter is reported at the Islamic Center of San Diego. Police arrive on scene. They say they found three men that were deceased outside the mosque. Three victims including the security guard.

Now about the same time they received reports about more gunfire. They say that there was a landscaper nearby who reported that he had been shot at. He did not suffer any injuries. Police say it was actually his helmet that may have deflected one of the rounds of ammunition, saving his life.

And then police get another call. They go to another location nearby and find the two suspects in a vehicle. As you mentioned, they appear to have died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds.

Now as far as what police also discovered at the home, according to law enforcement sources, the 17-year-old left behind what's described as a suicide note that contained writings about racial pride.

Also, Boris, on the one of the weapons that was found at the scene, very similar markings about racial topics that police are currently investigating right now as they try to get to the bottom of exactly what happened. Of course there's also great interest on the victims. As you mentioned, the security guard, Amin Abdullah now being mourned there as well. He was a father of eight. Police say that it was his actions that likely saved more lives.

SANCHEZ: How is the community reacting to this tragedy?

CAMPBELL: Well, similar to what we see so often in gun violence in this country. The community is reacting with grief, with anger, with sadness. They obviously want answers. This is an area that people come to worship, the Islamic Center of San Diego, the largest mosque there in that city.

I want you to take a listen here to a friend of Amin Abdullah's security guard. He spoke with our colleague Kyung Lah about his friend of many years.

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SAM HAMIDEH, FRIEND OF SLAIN SECURITY GUARD: I know that he knew he was sacrificing his life for the kids because if he didn't take that bullet, they would easily walked up stairs. And then there's just innocent, eight and younger and women and, you know, people that couldn't defend themselves.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CAMPBELL: Now their investigation continues, but we're also learning, Boris, some important new information. Although the two suspects are now deceased, the investigation continues. We're told that state prosecutors in San Diego have now also joined the case. There obviously won't be a prosecution of the two suspects, but as we've seen in other incidents, prosecutors will often join investigators to try to determine, does anyone else face culpability?

We don't know that there was anyone else that may have been involved. That's something they certainly want to rule out. Another big question, how did these teens get access to a firearm? Prosecutors currently looking into that.

SANCHEZ: Josh Campbell, thank you so much for the update on that story. Still ahead, we're awaiting an appearance from Vice President JD Vance in the press briefing room at the White House. It could start at any moment.

Also, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche facing off with lawmakers over the Justice Department's controversial new fund, taxpayers set to fuel a nearly $1.8 billion account that Blanche says anyone can apply for even January 6 rioters. We have more on his testimony when we come back.

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KEILAR: Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche on the Hill and defending President Trump's controversial new fund that could benefit people who claim they were unfairly targeted by previous administrations, including January six rioters possibly. $1.776 billion would be in the so called anti-weaponization account that will be funded by taxpayers.

Earlier, Blanche explaining a board handpicked by DOJ will have sole discretion over who gets a payout. He was then pressed if those identities would be made public.

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TODD BLANCHE, ACTING ATTORNEY GENERAL: The reason why I want to be careful in my answer is because there's obviously laws that exist around privacy that would may prevent some of the information that the Commission takes in from being fully public. Beyond that, there will be full transparency. And I commit to you that beyond the applicable laws that exist around privacy and privileges and whatnot. But as far as being transparent and having those quarterly reports released, yes,

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KEILAR: CNN chief legal affairs correspondent Paula Reid is following this closely for us. Paula, tell us about these funds.

PAULA REID, CNN CHIEF LEGAL AFFAIRS CORRESPONDENT: All right, so according to the acting attorney general, the only requirements to apply for an apology and or a monetary settlement is that you are not a member of President Trump's family and you believe you are unfairly targeted by the Justice Department.

Now, the acting attorney general said this could even include Hunter Biden, who was of course prosecuted and convicted by his father's Justice Department.

[13:25:00]

But when pressed by lawmakers of both parties about the details here, Blanche sort of wavered. For example, he was pressed on whether someone convicted of assaulting a police officer on January 6 could be compensated. Let's take a listen to that.

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UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Will individuals who assaulted Capitol Hill police officers be eligible for this fund?

BLANCHE: Well, as it makes plain any just --

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Let me know if they're eligible for the fund.

BLANCHE: As, as was made plain yesterday, anybody in this country is eligible to apply if they believe they are victim weapons.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Mister Attorney General, let me ask you this, are there going to be rules that say that if you've assaulted a Capitol Hill police officer or committed a violent crime, you will not be eligible? Why not make that a rule?

BLANCHE: I expect that. Well, because I'm not one of the commissioners setting up the rules. I expect there will be rules --

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You're appointing four of the five members, aren't you, Mr. Attorney General?

BLANCHE: Pardon me?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You're appointing four of the five members.

BLANCHE: I am appointing --

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You could (INAUDIBLE) set up the rules. I would hope you would make a rule that anyone convicted of assaulting a police officer of violent crime is simply not eligible. They should not apply. Well, let me ask you this.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

REID: Now, Blanche is the acting attorney general, but if he is tapped to be the permanent attorney general and confirmed he would indeed be the one selecting the people that will review these claims. He would also be the only one who could audit their decision. So it's a little surprising he didn't have more details about how this process will work. We've seen this fund has drawn scrutiny for members of both parties. So these are not going to be the last questions that Blanche faces about this controversial use of taxpayer money.

KEILAR: Yes, no doubt. Paula Reid, live for us on the Hill, thank you. Up next, we'll have the latest on the fight to contain the flames that are threatening thousands of homes across Southern California. Stay with us for that.

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