Full Measure After Hours: Rep. James Comer on Tackling Government Corruption

Release Date: April 24, 2025
Host: Sharyl Attkisson
Guest: Rep. James Comer, Chairman of the House Oversight Committee

Introduction

In this episode of Full Measure After Hours, host Cheryl Atkinson engages in a comprehensive discussion with Rep. James Comer, the influential Republican Chairman of the House Oversight Committee from Kentucky. The conversation delves deep into the ongoing battle against government corruption, the resistance faced by the Trump administration, and the broader implications for federal governance.

Trump Administration vs. the Deep State

Rep. James Comer opens the dialogue by contrasting the current Trump administration with its predecessor. He lauds President Trump's preparedness and strategic approach, particularly highlighting the effective use of executive orders.

"If you compare this Trump administration to the first one, he's clearly prepared... The progress that the president has made coming out of the gate is unprecedented."
(01:54)

Comer acknowledges the significant opposition from entrenched government agencies, labeling them as "left-wing activists" intent on obstructing the administration's agenda. Despite these challenges, he expresses optimism about the administration's ability to overcome internal battles.

"A lot of the executive orders... they're lawyered up and ready to go... I'm very satisfied with that."
(02:00)

Classified Documents: JFK and Epstein Files

A substantial portion of the interview focuses on the committee's efforts to release classified documents, specifically the JFK assassination files and the Epstein case files. Rep. Comer discusses the hurdles in accessing these documents, attributing the delays to bureaucratic resistance.

"Our task force is trying to reach out and question the bureaucrats, figure out which bureaucrat didn't comply with the orders."
(03:14)

He criticizes the Department of Justice under both Trump and Biden for withholding these files despite presidential directives, raising concerns about potential hidden agendas or misconduct.

"What were they doing? What were they... playing in this?"
(07:45)

Comer also touches upon the possibility of missing documents and questions the government's transparency and involvement in both the JFK and Epstein cases.

"Did the government, our government, play any role in evaluating that or spying on that?"
(08:37)

IRS and FBI Whistleblowers

The conversation shifts to the treatment of whistleblowers within federal agencies. Rep. Comer highlights the committee's support for whistleblowers, emphasizing their critical role in uncovering governmental wrongdoing.

"If you blow the whistle and what you said is true, then you're going to be rewarded. At the very least, you're not going to be retaliated against."
(22:02)

He discusses the successful promotion of IRS whistleblowers Shapley and Ziegler, ensuring they receive the recognition they deserve. Additionally, he alludes to ongoing efforts to support FBI whistleblowers, though specific details remain limited.

"We're going to play a big role in this reduction in force that is clearly in our jurisdiction."
(23:43)

Act Blue Investigation

One of the committee's top priorities, according to Rep. Comer, is the investigation into ActBlue, the Democratic fundraising platform. He raises concerns about the platform's ability to amass hundreds of millions of dollars through numerous small, potentially anonymous donations.

"ActBlue is very suspicious that they've raised this much money from this many people... if you disclose who the donors were."
(15:32)

Comer suspects foreign money infiltration and potential money laundering within ActBlue's operations, paralleling this investigation with the Biden family financial inquiries.

"We know there are people whose names were used in making donations that have already come out and said we weren't, we never made this donation."
(16:16)

He anticipates further revelations as key figures within ActBlue resign amidst the investigation, signaling possible wrongdoing.

"I think the top five people at ActBlue have all resigned in the last three weeks."
(17:07)

Efforts to Shrink Government

Addressing fiscal responsibility, Rep. Comer advocates for reducing the size of the federal government. He proposes eliminating or downsizing federal agencies like the Department of Education and FEMA, arguing that such moves would return power to the states and reduce unnecessary expenditures.

"We're going to play a big role in this reduction in force that is clearly in our jurisdiction."
(25:48)

Comer emphasizes the high cost of federal personnel, pensions, and benefits, contending that the current government size is unsustainable. He credits President Trump for initiating efforts to cut down bureaucratic layers, such as eliminating the DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives, which he views as redundant and financially burdensome.

"Deleting the DEI was an unnecessary added layer of bureaucracy... we can get rid of that DEI and save a lot of taxpayer dollars."
(28:22)

Challenges and Political Dynamics

Rep. Comer candidly discusses the internal Republican challenges in passing significant reforms. He points out the reluctance of some party members to support audacious cuts due to fear of backlash from constituents.

"We've got some guys that'll never be in a book called Profiles of Courage... they've got to face their constituents."
(29:13)

Despite these hurdles, Comer remains confident in leveraging President Trump's popularity to push legislative agendas forward, advocating for unified support to successfully pass reconciliation bills that facilitate budgetary and structural changes.

"President Trump's so popular with the Republican base that I think that he can push it over the line."
(30:37)

Conclusion

The episode concludes with Rep. James Comer reinforcing the committee's commitment to transparency, accountability, and systemic reform. He underscores the importance of legislative support in overcoming deep-seated bureaucratic resistance and advancing the Trump administration's agenda to combat government corruption and inefficiency.

"If you signed up for this job, you have to do it... this is the job we signed up for."
(29:13)

Cheryl Atkinson wraps up by directing listeners to future episodes and additional resources, encouraging continued engagement with the issues discussed.

Notable Quotes:

• Rep. James Comer: "The progress that the president has made coming out of the gate is unprecedented."
  (01:54)

• Rep. James Comer: "If you blow the whistle and what you said is true, then you're going to be rewarded."
  (22:02)

• Rep. James Comer: "ActBlue is very suspicious that they've raised this much money from this many people."
  (15:32)

• Rep. James Comer: "Deleting the DEI was an unnecessary added layer of bureaucracy... we can get rid of that DEI and save a lot of taxpayer dollars."
  (28:22)

• Rep. James Comer: "President Trump's so popular with the Republican base that I think that he can push it over the line."
  (30:37)

This detailed summary encapsulates the core discussions and insights shared during the Full Measure After Hours episode featuring Rep. James Comer. By addressing critical issues such as government corruption, whistleblower protection, and fiscal reforms, the conversation offers listeners a comprehensive understanding of the current political landscape and the challenges faced by the Trump administration in implementing its agenda.