SANTA MONICA – Washington, D.C. is usually a quiet town. Although it is the nation’s capital and a place where decisions that impact the United States and the world at large, it is really a quiet town. Beginning early in the morning, political heavyweights and their support staff are busy with taking care of the nation’s business. They usually wind up their official work day by 5:00 o’clock in the afternoon and transition to evening business. Usually completed in private meetings or over the traditional breaking of bread.
But Washington is a different place now. People are on edge. Government employees who once believed they were secure in their jobs are not so sure. This past week, many government employees received an e-mail advising them of a potential buy-out that would enable them to retire from their government positions.
President Trump’s candidates to lead various government organization went before the Senate. In what was essentially a job interview, the candidates answered or tried to answer the questions put before them.
When asked how he would change Medicare and Medicaid, Robert Kennedy Jr., fumbled for his answer. Kennedy said, “The premiums are too high, the deductibles are too high, the networks are too narrow.” Because Kennedy was unable to expound or proposed a cohesive solution, some Senators were not convinced Kennedy was the right person to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.
At the end of the hearing, Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., the ranking member of the Finance Committee, said Kennedy was “unprepared,” suggesting that he didn’t seem to know the difference between Medicare and Medicaid.
Kash Patel went before the Committee and answered questions about his nomination to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Patel is a former prosecutor but has never lead a large organization such as the FBI or even ran a small business. Several Senators questioned whether Patel is the right person for the job or not.
When questioned about his involvement in the production of a song by the J6 Prison Choir and the subsequent release of the song, Patel feigned ignorance. He claimed he wasn’t aware of who sang on the song.
Patel was once a supporter of the far right QAnon movement. Months ago, when questioned by Jack Smith during his special investigation, Patel pleaded the 5th to presumably protect himself. When pressed on the matter this past week, Patel sidestepped the question and gave a vague answer raising concerns about his loyalties.
In a heated moment, Senator Corey Booker (D – New Jersey) asked, “What are you hiding from Congress?”
Both Republicans and Democrats took issue with Tulsi Gabbard. Gabbard is Trump’s pick to be the director of national intelligence. When asked whether Edward Snowden was a traitor to the United States, Gabbard was unable to commit either way. Snowden fled the United States and is currently living in Russia under the protection of president Vladimir Putin. Snowden was indicted for espionage after he stole government secrets and released them in 2013.
Some content courtesy of NBC News, Politico, CBS News, The Guardian, BBC, PBS, YouTube and Google Images.
