Welcome to the beat. I'm Ari Melbert. We begin tonight with the fireworks on Capitol Hill, Pam Bondi, testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee for the first time as Attorney General. It was contentious Democrats killing Bondi over the ongoing accusations of overreach, abuse of power, DOJ issues. She often just refused to answer questions entirely.

Were you consulted by the White House before they deployed National Guard troops to cities in the United States?

I am not going to discuss any internal conversations with the White House.

Do you believe that government officials like Gregor Bovino are obligated to follow applicable court orders, whether they agree with them or not yes or no?

I wish that you loved your state of California as much as you hate President Trump.

I'm going to ask a simple yes or no question.

The president said, we can't delay any longer Pam using your name.

And then goes on to tell you to prosecute a member of this committee,

to prosecute the Attorney General of New York, and to prosecute James Comey.

Do you consider that a directive to the Justice Department?

Senator Klobuchar, President Trump, is the most transparent president in American history?

Did you discuss James Comey with the president of the United States? He was sitting just to your left.

Well, two seats down. Yes, two seats down.

And I am not going to discuss any conversations I've had or not have with the President of the United States.

Because the American public is entitled to know.

How did you conclude that these strikes on ships or boats in the open ocean are legal?

Senator Cun's, I'm not going to discuss any legal advice that my department may or may not

have given or issued.

Having you respond with completely irrelevant far-right internet talking points really is not

very helpful here.

It's very clear to me that when the president posts something like that,

that he considers the DOJ to be his law firm and you, his lawyer.

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