By John Q. Hosedrinker 
During a recent public appearance, Trump claimed he was receiving calls from Democrats he didn’t know, comparing them to Somalia and remarking on the lack of leadership within the party. This echoed a previous joke targeting Representative Ilhan Omar. Despite these claims, Trump had previously met with Democratic leaders like Hakeem Jeffries and Chuck Schumer before the government shutdown. However, he has since used the situation as an opportunity for a photo op while blaming Democrats for the shutdown and its consequences.
Read the original article here
Schiff Lists Every Question Pam Bondi Ignored as She Melts Down, and the whole situation is frankly, infuriating, yet utterly predictable. It’s almost as if there’s a carefully constructed Republican playbook, a strategy of evasion and obfuscation designed to frustrate any attempts at accountability. And when you dig a bit deeper, the layers of the story begin to unravel, revealing a pattern of behavior that’s not just unprofessional, but potentially harmful.
The initial exchange between Senator Adam Schiff and Pam Bondi set the tone. Bondi, rather than addressing the questions posed to her, resorted to a cheap shot, attempting to discredit Schiff by questioning his legal credentials. The irony, of course, is that Schiff, with his Harvard Law degree and years of experience, was clearly better prepared to engage in the legal proceedings than Bondi. The sheer audacity of it all is breathtaking.
Then, Schiff, in a move that resonated with many, systematically listed the questions Bondi had refused to answer. These weren’t trivial matters. They concerned ethics, potential conflicts of interest, the handling of sensitive documents, the legality of military actions, and even the integrity of law enforcement investigations. The fact that Bondi dodged each and every one of them spoke volumes.
First, Bondi refused to answer whether she consulted with ethics lawyers regarding a $400 million gift from the Qataris, a major red flag right there. Then, she stonewalled questions about her possible role in flagging Trump’s name in Epstein documents, which, if confirmed, would indicate a lack of respect for those documents. Furthermore, the questions related to the handling of potentially illicit funds, the use of legal processes for political gain, and the legality of various actions taken by the administration were all met with silence. Every evasion, every deflection, just underscored the suspicion of wrongdoing.
Schiff also asked, “Did career prosecutors find insufficient evidence to charge James Comey,” and Bondi dodged the question. Then, the question was posed on the legality of military strikes, and Bondi offered no answer. Bondi also was asked if she discussed indicting James Comey with the president. She refused to answer. Schiff asked did she approve of the firing of antitrust lawyers who disagreed with the Hewlett Packard merger? She also refused to answer that question. And the questions continued, each unanswered, each a testament to the lack of transparency and accountability. The fact that she also refused to answer questions about a restoration fund for January 6th insurrectionists is a further indication of questionable political practices.
The comments made by Bondi, such as her use of personal attacks and the red herrings she brought up, seemed designed to distract from the core issues. This isn’t about a politician “melting down,” as some headlines might suggest. It’s about a deliberate strategy to avoid scrutiny and hide the truth. This conduct, and the implications for democracy, should not be taken lightly.
Moreover, the fact that Bondi’s behavior is not met with serious consequences is a major problem. It’s an open question whether these actions will ever be addressed, and in the meantime, it’s a serious indication of the degradation of political norms. It should be deeply concerning that she and others have been allowed to ignore basic requests for accountability.
Schiff’s line of questioning provided a crucial service, holding Bondi accountable and exposing the disturbing practices and the disregard for legal and ethical standards. It also served as a chilling reminder of the lengths to which some people will go to protect their own interests.
It’s important to note that people are aware and angered by this blatant behavior. However, these efforts are repeatedly stymied by a lack of meaningful repercussions. This leaves the American public wondering how much more needs to happen before action is taken.