Welcome to Talking Fed's one-on-one, deep-dive discussions with national figures about the most

fascinating and consequential issues defining our culture and shaping our lives. I'm your host,

Harry Littman.

There's a spasmodic quality to the seven months of Trump's presidency. In addition to his moral failings and deep-seated viciousness, Trump has the attention span of a child, and his

inconstancy leads him to lurch from one soundbite to another,

often leaving substantial wreckage in his wake. Which brings us to, who remembers this one,

the Department of Government Efficiency, or Doge, which for a month or so seemed to be the defining initiative of his presidency,

or really co-presidency with Elon Musk, who's now MIA.

There's a new report from the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, the $21.7 billion blunder analyzing the waste generated by

Doge. It's taken a close look at that ill-fated initiative and come up with a number of shocking

revelations of chaos and waste in the billions of dollars. To delve into that report, we're very lucky to have as

our guest today, Senator Richard Blumenthal. Senator Blumenthal is the senior senator from

Connecticut, where he has held his seat since 2011. He's a member of the Senate Committee on

the Judiciary, along with many other important assignments.

He has also an extensive legal background, having served as a Supreme Court clerk, a U.S. attorney, and 10 years.

I think that may have been a record as his state's attorney general.

So not surprisingly has charted a reputation as one of

the most thoughtful and clear-headed members of the Senate. Thank you so much for joining today,

Senator Richard Blumenthal. Thank you so much, Harry. I'm very lucky to be with you and really

honored in light of your own extraordinarily distinguished

background as a former Supreme Court law clerk and a United States attorney. Not too many of us

around. Not too many, but I don't think I'll continue to hit the heights that you have hit.

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