Attorney General Pam Bondi pitched a televised hissy fit yesterday when a Democratic senator asked her about whether or not foreign contributions and purchases of crypto assets that benefit Donald Trump are influencing policy decisions made by the administration.
Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) asked Bondi about a dinner Trump held at the White House for investors in a Trump crypto coin.
“This solicitation of investments in his personal product led to many people from foreign countries attending the dinner. Don’t you think the American people have a right to know? You said yourself you’re very concerned about foreign influence on our government?” Merkley inquired.
“Senator, it’s wildly offensive that you would accuse President Trump of not protecting American interests in our country,” Bondi sniped. “It is wildly offensive that you would accuse President Trump of not protecting American interests in our country when he is the president who shut down our borders unlike Joe Biden… and you’re trying to play a gotcha question at a budget hearing when you have murderers left and right in your state, violent crimes, and we are doing everything we can to help your liberal state. Whether you’re liberal or not, we’re going to do everything we can to help the citizens of your state, and you’re trying to avoid that because you’re trying to play gotcha questions with the president of the United States.”
Merkley then asked the AG, “It speaks volumes that you won’t answer the question about transparency when the president is asking people to invest in his company and his products, and foreigners are attending these events. I think transparency would be appropriate. Will you recommend any ethics guidelines to ensure that foreign influence does not find its way in through the doors of the White House?”
Once again, instead of responding, Bondi lashed out like a rabid badger.
“How do you characterize foreigners? The illegal aliens that have flowed into our country? You don’t want to talk about them. The crime that has gone rampant throughout this country and your state.”
At that point, Merkley noted, “Let the record know in terms of foreign influence of the sale of foreign influence she absolutely refuses to respond and instead turns to a whole list of different topics.”
Pam Bondi is unqualified for the post she holds. And her dismissive attitude toward congressional oversight should earn a contempt of Congress citation.
