Summary
Overview
Anthony and Katty examine the heated Senate confirmation hearings for Trump's picks Todd Blanche (acting Attorney General) and Jay Clayton (Director of National Intelligence), both of whom refused to clearly state that Joe Biden won the 2020 election. They also discuss the escalating conflict with Iran following the collapse of the Memorandum of Understanding, threats to global oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, and J.D. Vance's appearance on Joe Rogan where he criticized Israeli influence in prolonging Middle East conflicts.
The Loyalty Test: Senate Confirmation Hearings
Both Todd Blanche and Jay Clayton faced intense questioning during their confirmation hearings, where their loyalty to Trump was tested over their commitment to truth. Multiple Democratic senators asked Clayton directly whether Joe Biden won the 2020 election, but he refused to say those words together, instead offering verbal gymnastics about Biden receiving electoral votes and certification. Blanche similarly equivocated and notably slipped up by saying "I am Trump's lawyer" before correcting himself, revealing the fundamental conflict in their positions.
- Jay Clayton, a respected former Sullivan & Cromwell partner and SEC chair, refused to state that Joe Biden won the 2020 election when asked by four different senators
- Senator Ossoff pressed Clayton on election integrity, calling it a job interview for someone who would oversee intelligence on American elections
- Todd Blanche said he is 'Trump's lawyer' before correcting himself, revealing the conflict in his role
- Blanche stated he doesn't believe Trump is eligible for a third term, providing some reassurance about constitutional limits
- Trump paid E. Jean Carroll $5.6 million this week, showing he does abide by court decisions
" What if Jay Clayton had said to Senator Ossoff, you know, Joe Biden won the election. What would have been the ramifications? I think it had been pulled. I think he would not be up for director of national intelligence. "
" Jay, go and read Hannah Arendt, because she is the one that will warn you that democracies get destroyed by leaders who put in place loyalty over competency in the aim of destroying the institutions of democracy. "
" I am Trump's lawyer. Excuse me. "
The Epstein Files Obstruction
Todd Blanche's hearing revealed continued obstruction around releasing the Epstein files, despite ten survivors being present. He claimed he couldn't meet with survivors because they have lawyers, which legal experts immediately contradicted as false. This comes as new Epstein Transparency Act legislation is being pushed and J.D. Vance characterized the administration's Epstein file problems as merely a "communications" issue rather than a moral one.
- Blanche apologized for mistakes in one percent of Epstein documents but refused to commit to meeting with survivors
- Blanche falsely claimed he couldn't meet with survivors who have lawyers, which Congressmen Ro Khanna and Thomas Massey contradicted
- Blanche met with Ghislaine Maxwell in prison and she was subsequently transferred to a less secure facility
- J.D. Vance characterized Epstein file issues as a 'communications problem' rather than a moral or ethical problem
" I would love to meet with the survivors, but if they have lawyers, I can't meet with them. "
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