GOP Witnesses Lose Control Under Cross-Exam at Hearing
28:40 Share

The NBA playoffs are here, and I'm getting my bets in on FanDuel. Talk to me, Chuck GPT. What do you know? All sorts of interesting stuff. Even Charles Barkley's greatest fear. Hey, nobody needs to know that. New customers bet $5 to get 200 in bonus bets if you win. FanDuel, America's number one sportsbook.

21 plus and present in Illinois. Must be first online real money wager. $5 deposit required. Bonus issued is non-withdrawable bonus pass that expires seven days after receipt. Restrictions apply. See full terms at fanduel.com slash sportsbook. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Democrats going on the offense in the House of Representatives and the Senate.

cross-examining Trump's cabinet members, putting them in their place, exposing them on live TV during these hearings. I want to show you what went down in both the House and the Senate. So you had Donald Trump's Treasury Secretary Scott Besson testifying before the House of Representatives.

Democratic Congress member Gomez starts off by saying, how are you doing, Treasury Secretary Scott Besson? Because I heard that Elon Musk, rugby style, what, checked you? He checked you in your gut? So they got into a physical fight. Here's what went down. Play this clip. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Secretary, how are you doing? So far, so good. Okay. I'll just...

because I know Elon Musk body checked you at the White House. I just, no animosity to Elon Musk, right? You know that? That's what I heard. So you believe what you read on Breitbart is what you're telling this congressman? I didn't know. If it was too sensitive for you, I won't ask that question. But anyway,

I will take South Carolina over South Africa any day. Yeah, go for it. Just call out these people to their face. And I love Democratic Congress member Tom Swasey from New York's third congressional district using his questioning to show that Treasury Secretary Scott Besant and Donald Trump go against literally every single expert and economist in the United States and the world.

This is how it's done with good cross-examining. Play this clip. Now, you don't agree with the CBO. We've heard that several times. You also disagree with the Committee for Responsible Budget, who said there's going to be a $3 trillion deficit from this. You disagree with that also, right? Yes.

And you disagree with the Yale Budget Lab. You went to Yale. You don't agree with the Yale Budget Lab. They say it's going to be a $3 trillion deficit from this. Do you disagree with them also? There are a lot of things I disagree with Yale on these things. Do you disagree with the Penn Wharton budget model who said there's going to be a $3 trillion deficit from this bill? Yes. Do you disagree with Elon Musk?

who you supposedly do get along with now. It will massively increase the already gigantic deficit to $2.5 trillion and burden American citizens with crushingly unsustainable debt. Do you disagree with Mr. Musk on that issue? Yes. Do you disagree with Ray Dalio, who said that this is unsustainable? I agree with Ray Dalio that we need to get our fiscal house in order. Do you disagree with Jamie Dimon, who says it's going to cause a crack in the bond markets?

I met with Mr. Diamond the other day, and he wasn't necessarily referring to government finances. Well, he said there's going to be a crack that's going to take place in either six months or six years. Let's ask you, when do you think that's going to happen? I believe he was referring to market structure.

Do you think that there is, do you disagree with Mr. Fink from BlackRock who said this is going to be a sustainable problem as well? Look, I believe that we have to get our fiscal house in order. Then you've got Democratic Congress member Bayer just asking the question that I think we all want to know. Like, aren't you just embarrassed with your life? Scott Besant, Treasury Secretary Besant, aren't you just embarrassed and shamed to just be you right now and have to come up here and

lie and act like the GDP is doing great when it's actually we were in a contraction of our economy last quarter. Here, play this clip. The administration is in retreat from key policy areas. I want to say, given your successful past, isn't this embarrassing?

Is there a question there, sir? There's a question. Isn't this embarrassing? Oh, is it embarrassing? Well, I'm sorry, Congressman, but you seem not to have seen the economic data. The GDP growth has been quite substantial. Job growth is solid. GDP growth is half what it was last year, sir.

JOB GROWTH IS SOLID. AND -- JOB GROWTH IS A THIRD WHAT IT WAS ALL EARLIER. NO, NO, NO. AND PRIVATE SECTOR JOB GROWTH ESPECIALLY. AND IF YOU'D LIKE TO TALK ABOUT INFLATION, WOULD YOU?

The inflation has been coming down. Just the inflation is good so far. We will see every economic thing I read, which is much every day, suggest the impact of the tariffs is not yet. Well, why don't we look at the data rather than the hysteria, which is how I made my career. So while the Democrats were doing that, you had the MAGA Republicans like Marjorie Taylor Greene delivering speeches.

like the following. Play this clip. He is now being charged on multiple felony counts for human trafficking. As a matter of fact, we're thrilled to bring him back and prosecute him and make you guys continue to own him. Remember, he's your Maryland man. Enough of that. Going back to the Democrats, here's Democratic Congresswoman Sowell. And here she is questioning Treasury Secretary Scott Besant.

and just watch what he does. And then she just is like, did I just hear what you said? Here, play this clip. The last question that I was asked to ask you was, when will we hit the debt ceiling? I know that this big, beautiful bill also means a debt, increases the debt ceiling. And frankly, I heard you say that that is something that's an imperative. I would agree with that. When do we foresee us hitting the debt ceiling? Congresswoman,

I want to congratulate you. You have a very sophisticated constituency to ask questions like this. That the so-called X date is a... With all due respect, just because you're poor doesn't mean you're ignorant.

As I said, very sophisticated. Yeah. Just can you answer the question? I'm in the habit of saying thank you to compliments that the so-called X date is a moving target. So when do you for I mean, you're the you're the secretary of treasury. So tell me, when do you predict, given where we are right now, will we hit the ceiling? Some point in the middle to late summer.

Is that August, July? Again, it is imprecise. Well, sir, I just think that it is imprecise

It is an abomination that we are actually giving bigger tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans who don't need a tax cut. Meanwhile, we're taking away food assistance and health care from people who desperately need it. Thank you, and I yield back. So you have that taking place. Then meanwhile, you have Marjorie Taylor Greene on the House floor doing this. Play this clip. Take, for example, their favorite MS-13 gang member, Kilmar Arbrego-Garcia.

This MS-13 gang member, wife beater, was deported to El Salvador for countless violations of our laws. Democrats labeled him wrongfully deported Maryland man. Oh, boo hoo. And they flew to El Salvador to meet with him. Thank you.

And Democrats couldn't wait to go on vacation to go down and pretend like they cared about this MS-13 gang member like they really actually do. No more of that. Democratic Congresswoman Plaskett said the following to Treasury Secretary Scott Besant when he tried to talk over her. Play this clip. We have seen since January 20th that the stock market overall has gone down 1.3 percent.

and gas has gone up. Ma'am, that's incorrect. Excuse me. Let me get something straight with you first here. I've seen you interrupt everyone. When you come to someone's house, you respect their rules.

And in this house, we don't interrupt individuals. And you're not going to interrupt my time. I'm going to give you time to respond. You may want to jot down some notes about things that you don't agree with me on so that you can respond to them at that time. But while I'm speaking...

As the person holding this time, you will refrain from speaking, sir, until I am done. Until I am done, and then I will give you time to speak, okay? I look forward to the facts. Thank you. I look forward to your response, whether they're factual or incorrect either.

Back to Democratic Congressmember Gomez, let's play it. - The big billionaire bill, because it benefits mainly billionaires at the expense of working people, you're cutting their healthcare, you're making sure that they're gonna be paying more than 20 billion over the next 10 years if you're making 30,000 or less, and you guys are, don't care. And I think you don't care. Because your net worth is $521 million. - Okay, your time has expired. - That would be a false assumption.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I yield back. That would be a false assumption. I think the people who didn't care were the Biden administration who wiped out working families and lost in a massive referendum on November 5th. I would like to remind the committee that this is the Ways and Means Committee and have discussions on policies, not personalities. And don't call another member out by their name.

If you're referring to another member, you say what state they're from. That is the roles of this committee.

Thank you. And then here we have Treasury Secretary Scott Besson admitting that Trump will likely extend the pause on his tariffs past the July 90-day tariff deadline. Remember, 90 days, that's it. 90 deals in 90 days. Watch what Treasury Secretary Scott Besson says. Play this clip. He gave an answer that was, frankly, all over the place and difficult to understand. We're less than a month away from Liberation Day Part 2.

Very few of the trade deals have been announced yet. I think most people in Congress and around the world would like to know what's going on. Should America be preparing for Liberation Day 2.0? What do we plan for July 9th and July 2nd?

NEW SPEAKER: I WOULD SAY AS I HAVE REPEATEDLY SAID THAT THERE ARE 18 IMPORTANT TRADING PARTNERS. WE ARE WORKING FOR DEALS ON THOSE AND IT IS HIGHLY LIKELY THAT THOSE COUNTRIES THAT ARE TRADING BLOCKS AS IN THE CASE OF THE EU WHO ARE NEGOTIATING IN GOOD FAITH, WE WILL ROLL THE DATE FORWARD TO CONTINUE THE GOOD FAITH NEGOTIATIONS.

If someone is not negotiating, then we will not. If you're like me, instead of learning to skateboard, you wish you were learning to write code. And instead of scraping through college, you wish you bought Bitcoin at less than a cent or secured a few Nvidia shares before they boomed. We might be the FOMO generation, but don't miss out on protecting your future. For around the same price per month as one of your streaming services, you can break our generational cycle and secure your and your family's future by finding life insurance at selectquote.com.

For over 40 years, SelectQuote has helped more than 2 million Americans understand their options and get the coverage that they need. Over $700 billion in coverage and counting. Now as a broker, their mission is simple, to find you the right insurance policy at the best price. SelectQuote takes the guesswork out of finding the right life insurance policy. SelectQuote also works with providers who offer same-day coverage, up to $2 million worth, with no medical exam required.

And you're not out of luck if you have a pre-existing health condition because SelectQuote partners with companies that offer policies for people with conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart disease. SelectQuote makes life insurance simple, even if this is your first time thinking about it. Life insurance is never cheaper than it is today. Get the right life insurance for you for less and save more than 50% at selectquote.com slash Midas.

Save more than 50% on term life insurance at selectquote.com slash Midas today to get started. That's selectquote.com slash Midas. Let's take a look at what was going down in the Senate for a moment with Democratic Senator Coons. Here's his questioning of Treasury Secretary Scott Besant. Brilliant. Play this clip. Treasury and state were rolling out new sanctions designations every few weeks, much of last year.

How many new Russian entities have you designated under your sanctions authority since January? I will get back to you with that number. The answer is zero. How many entities worldwide have you sanctioned for doing business with Russian companies in ways that undermine our sanctions and export controls? I will get back to you with that.

number? I believe the answer is zero. I hope I'm wrong. I'd love it if you'd get back to me and tell me I'm wrong. But the PRC is helping Russia's defense industry by providing dual-use components and advanced technologies. Last week, Chancellor Mertz briefed a bipartisan group of us on Russia's alarming rearmament with help from China, Iran, and North Korea. How many Chinese firms have been designated for doing work directly with Russia's defense industry? I

I will get back to you on that. I will tell you that we have sanctioned numerous Chinese companies for receiving Iranian oil, and we have been working on the shadow fleets are not independent. Now back to the House of Representatives, Democratic Congresswoman Sanchez. Here's what she had to say. I was alarmed to hear this morning that Trump said that the U.S.-China deal was done after just two days of talks in London.

Mr. Secretary, the press release on this so-called deal looks more like a framework. Congress, who has the constitutional authority over trade, needs the details of this supposed deal. So I'm asking if you will provide this committee with the actual details of this deal, because there has been, unlike what was said earlier, there has been no consultation previously.

with our side of the aisle, at least, on the China negotiation. Will you commit to giving us the specifics of that deal, the details? Congresswoman, I flew back at 4 a.m. this morning to be here this morning. It's a simple yes or no question. No, it is not a simple yes or no question. We are in the midst of constructing it. And back to your question, China has proven an unreliable partner in strategic negotiations

Will you commit to consulting with us on trade deal with China? The gentlewoman's time has expired. I would ask the witness to be allowed to answer that last question. The gentlewoman's time has expired. It's a yes or no question. It's very simple. Representative, I raise many of your concerns to the Chinese delegation, and it will be a longer process. The trade deal today, or last night...

It was for a specific goal, and it will be a much longer process. And I will note that the previous administration did nothing. But excuse me, the question was whether or not you would consult with members of Congress. Here's Congresswoman Sanchez again to Besson. Let's play it. I don't believe that the president's tariffs are going to be a one-time price adjustment for American families. If prices go up, they will be one time.

Okay, well, unfortunately, you appear to be talking out of both sides of your mouth because you yourself have admitted already

after conversations with Walmart, that some tariff costs are going to get passed on to consumers. And in fact, we've already seen that prices are rising on many everyday goods. No, Congresswoman, today we had a 1.1 increase. The time is mine. Please don't interrupt me. I will ask you questions and I will grant you an opportunity to answer them, but please don't interrupt me during my time.

With pleasure. I know I'm a woman, but please try to limit yourself to answering my questions. No, I'm sorry, but we get talked over all the time, and I don't want that to happen at this hearing. I would remind members...

The gentlelady is recognized. Please proceed. Thank you. The time is mine. Now, I love this moment when Democratic Senator Reid from Rhode Island is cross-examining Pete Hegseth, the former Fox host who's now somehow the Secretary of Defense. Let's play it. There's a general understanding that you have taken possession of this Qatari aircraft, the 747.

But there are public reports that Qataris have not yet signed a memorandum of understanding, which would specify that

The agreement was initiated by the Trump administration, and Qatar is not responsible for any future transfers of the plane's ownership. Are you in possession of the Qatar airplane now? Any specifics about future aircraft that could be Air Force One can't be discussed here, but there is a conversation about a memorandum of understanding. A memorandum of understanding remains to be signed, Senator.

You have signed a contract with a company to reconfigure the aircraft. What is the price of that contract?

That cannot be revealed in this setting. Why can't it be revealed in this setting? This is the Appropriations Committee of the United States Senate. We appropriate the money that you will spend after it's authorized by my committee. And you cannot tell us how much the contract is for. You will have that number, Senator. It just can't be talked about in public. No, we want it now. The contract has been signed, correct? The contract has been signed. The memorandum of understanding is not complete. I'm talking about the contract with the American contractor. Has it been signed?

It's nothing on that front that I'm aware of is being executed. Well, that's contrary to what we've all heard. Second thing, what's the delivery time in the contract? Again, the delivery time of anything of that sensitive nature is not for public consumption. Can you tell me the delivery time for the Boeing aircraft that were being prepared for Air Force One?

was that in the contract one of the problems is that the way we we actually procure aircraft in this country takes so long oh yeah it's ordered it's seven eight nine ten years late requiring the necessity for a stop gap alternative well no what you've just said is that the boeing information was public knowledge the delivery date the cost the course overruns but this is not because this is

not only a bad deal for the American public, it is just a gratifying, it's gratifying the president's ego. That's all it is. Thank you. Here he is again, questioning Hegseth about what the hell are you doing with the Marines in Los Angeles? Play this clip. The more accountable you are, the higher your standards are. It all makes you more lethal. So the mission in Los Angeles is

As you know well, sir, it's not about lethality. It's about maintaining law and order on behalf of law enforcement agents who deserve to do their job without being attacked by mobs of people. And so we're very proud that the National Guard and the Marines are on the streets defending the ICE agents, and they will continue to do that. They're doing a great job. Law and order is a civil function under the Constitution of the United States.

civil enforcement law enforcement authorities not the U.S. military and there's plenty of precedent for the U.S. military support law enforcement officers what your military is doing right now is laying constantino wire guarding buildings maintaining vehicles for other services this is not only I think illegal

but also a diminution of the readiness and the focus of the military. I thought this was great questioning by Democratic Senator Schatz. Here he is questioning the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Kaine. Play this clip. I'll start with General Kaine. Is the United States being invaded by a foreign nation? Sir, thanks for your question.

I think at this point in time, I don't see any foreign state-sponsored folks invading, but I'll be mindful of the fact that there has been some border issues throughout time and defer to DHS, who handles the border along the nation's contiguous outline. Is there a rebellion somewhere in the United States? Sir, I...

I think there's definitely some frustrated folks out there. I mean, if frustrated folks were a rebellion. Erie is again questioning Hegseth. Play this clip. And I guess that goes to my question for the secretary. Two things. There should be some sort of paper flow that the committee, the Congress, the public can look at in invoking Title X, Section 12.1.

406. So can you give us some clarification on whether the orders that were issued apply to specifically Los Angeles, to California generally, or is this a nationwide order? The orders that have been issued, which are

publicly available and known relate to an ongoing ongoing situation in Los Angeles, which could expand to other places. But it's quite easy to point out that there has been an invasion of 21 million illegals in our country under the previous administration. So this administration was elected to get a hold of that. And when you have ICE officers being attacked with concrete blocks, secretary, I really allowed to do their job. Secretary, I would

really like to not try to create a viral moment for either of us. I'm actually trying to understand kind of the scope of this order. And then finally, we have Democratic Senator Murray, I think, just summing it all up in her questioning to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Let's play it. Secretary Hegseth, you oversee one of the largest and most important organizations on planet Earth.

More than anything, the Department of Defense needs stable, competent, and strategic leadership.

And much as I had feared back in January is not what we are seeing under your leadership. In a matter of months, you have lost top aides and reportedly struggled to hire new ones. You have fired highly respected top military officials. You shared highly sensitive attack plans over Signal and apparently with people in your own personal circles. And you've not taken responsibility for those mistakes. All the while the security challenges we face have grown larger.

not smaller. And then in the face of these challenges, you have taken a series of actions that weaken our posture. For example, in my home state of Washington, which is home to many DOD installations critical to our Indo-Pacific strategy, you have pushed out almost 2,000 highly trained civilian employees, including at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.

Mr. Secretary, you talk about returning the department to its mission of warfighting, but I am repeatedly hearing that your policy and personnel changes at the Pentagon are...

undermining, not strengthening our military's preparedness to protect our country. You are deploying the American military to police the American people. You're sending the National Guard into California without the governor's request. Sending the Marines not after foreign threats but after American protesters.

And now President Trump is promising heavy force against peaceful protesters at his D.C. military parade. Those sorts of actions and that sort of rhetoric from a president of the United States should stop every one of us cold. Threatening to use our own troops on our own citizens at such scale?

is unprecedented, it is unconstitutional, and it is downright un-American. We should all be speaking out against this and demanding accountability. Yeah, powerful questioning indeed. Oh, this is what I want to see. I want to see Democrats go on the offense like this. It's good to see. I want to see them fight.

Let me know what you think. Hit subscribe. Let's get to 5 million subscribers. And thank you so much for watching.