The Name's Bondi, Shame Bondi
I'm sure that Pam Bondi thinks she was absolutely impeccable and did a Magnificent Job testifying before the House Judiciary Committee. Not only masterfully deflecting all questions on investigating the Epstein files like a skilled swordswoman, but in slamming, insulting and “Owning the Libs.”
And clearly, she was unconcerned with how the public reacted, even MAGOPs (many of who must have been mortified, believing that she was doing their party no service as it heads into the Mid-Terms – indeed, she was even reprimanded by the MAGOP chairman of the committee during the hearing). She was there playing to an audience of one. And not only is that standard for Trump’s cabinet members, but Bondi more than most has been seen at risk in her job. So, this was a shore-up the flooring appearance.
What she totally misses, though, is that 75% of Americans say the Epstein files are important. And only 6% (!!) say that enough of the files have been released. So, being publicly belligerent for five hours to defend Trump blocking release of the files is probably incredibly counter-productive.
Trump's approval is 37%. (A new AP-Norc poll war released yesterday, and had Trump at 36% approval.) So, defending what the public says it hates is not A Good Thing. She hurt him badly.
She also, possibly, hurt herself. As some analysts pointed out, while Trump loves people praising him, he has shown very clearly his whole life that he does not like “mean” women. When Trump attacks female members of the press, the expression he uses most to smear them is “You’re a very nasty person, you know that?” I’m not saying she did hurt herself with her audience-of-one vaudeville act, just that possibly. Since when you’re a woman whose job relies on Trump, and you have to be scolded by a MAGOP for being too loud and mean, that might not go over well with Dear Leader.
My favorite “questioning” by a member of the committee was probably Jasmine Crockett of Texas. But I must pause a moment for perspective –
During the hearing, I took time off to go on my morning walk. And as I did, after watching Bondi doing her “I think insulting and yelling everyone is a really great idea!!” gambit, I was pondering what I’d say if I was on the committee. And one option that came to mind was to not ask any questions because, having seen Pam Bondi when she recently testified before the Senate, I’d know that I wouldn’t be getting any answers. And I also would have kept cutting her off and reclaiming my time, saying that’s non-responsive. And I’ve have said, “You can call me the stupidest person in the world, if you want, but that doesn’t answer the question you were asked.” I’d also have explained that telling people off and not answering question in order to please your boss only does you a disservice because it shows your temperament and unwillingness to answer questions, making it clear you don’t have answers – and that 75% of Americans say they actually want answers on this. And I’ve have said, “It’s not your job as a witness to ask questions, that’s our job on the committee. You’re here to answer questions.”
Which brings us back to Jasmine Crockett, because she said almost all that in the first minute!!! Including (wonderfully) that she wasn’t going ask any questions, because she knew that she wouldn’t be getting any answers! I burst out laughing and applauding when I heard that. Which is why I said I liked her “questioning” in quotation marks. Since she didn’t actually question Pam Bondi at all, but just used her time to shred the Attorney General for five minutes.
There's so much more to add, but rather than say anything more, I’m just going to turn the rest of this over to a parody video of Pam Bondi that was posted on Twitter yesterday. It says it all better, without even referencing Pam Bondi.
I don’t know who this is – it might be the person who posted it, whose name is (or who goes by) April Ajoy – but whoever it is, it’s spot-on perfect and speaks volumes.
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