GOP Witnesses Crumble on Witness Stand at Live Hearing

Summary

Summary of "GOP Witnesses Crumble on Witness Stand at Live Hearing"

Podcast: The MeidasTouch Podcast
Host/Author: MeidasTouch Network
Episode: GOP Witnesses Crumble on Witness Stand at Live Hearing
Release Date: June 11, 2025

---

Introduction

In this episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast, the Meiselas brothers delve into a high-stakes live hearing where GOP witnesses faced intense scrutiny. The episode captures the unfolding drama as GOP officials grapple with challenging questions from Democratic lawmakers, leading to noticeable cracks in their testimonies. The hosts blend insightful analysis with their characteristic humor, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the events.

1. House of Representatives Hearing on National Guard Deployment

The episode begins with a focus on a pivotal moment in the House of Representatives. Democratic Congresswoman Aguilar takes center stage, cross-examining Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth regarding President Trump's decision to federalize the National Guard in Los Angeles.

• Aguilar's Examination:
  *Aguilar outlines the legal basis for federalizing the National Guard, citing 10 USC §12406, which permits such actions under specific conditions:
  “[00:54] 'There has to be an invasion of a foreign nation, a rebellion against the government or the president is unable with regular forces to execute the law.'”

• Hegseth's Admission:
  Under pressure, Hegseth concedes that the situation in Los Angeles might meet all three criteria.
  *“[03:03] 'If you've got millions of illegals... they're flaving. They're waving flags from foreign countries...'”

• Budgetary Concerns:
  Aguilar shifts focus to the financial implications, questioning the estimated costs of deployment.
  “[05:31] 'The current estimated cost is $134 million... it's going to exceed $1 billion.'”

2. Senate Hearing on NIH Funding Cuts

Transitioning to the Senate, the podcast highlights Democratic Senator Murray's intense grilling of NIH Director Bacharaya over proposed budget cuts.

• Impact on Medical Research:
  Senator Murray enumerates the dire consequences of an $18 billion cut, including terminated HIV vaccine trials and halted diabetes research.
  *“[10:28] 'You terminated a clinical trial evaluating new evidence-based interventions for type 2 diabetes...'”

• Bacharaya's Deflection:
  Bacharaya struggles to provide concrete numbers, leading to growing frustration among senators.
  “[12:00] 'I have to get back to you.'”
  “[13:09] 'It's hard to give an answer to that because I don't know what the proposals are going to be.'”

• Employee Reductions:
  The questioning intensifies as Senator Murray demands details on staff reductions within the NIH.
  “[14:30] 'Give me a detailed list of the reductions in staff by institute, by center, by job function.'”

3. GOP Witnesses Under Pressure

Throughout both hearings, GOP witnesses exhibit signs of strain, struggling to maintain composure and provide satisfactory answers.

• Confusion Over Policies:
  GOP representatives, including Pete Hegseth, falter when asked about specific policy details, revealing a lack of preparedness.
  “[20:40] 'We still haven't seen a clear definition of what it is and what it's a strategic theater system.'”

• Inconsistent Responses:
  Witnesses provide vague or evasive answers, undermining their credibility.
  “[12:49] 'The budget request is a work of negotiation between Congress and the administration.'”

4. MAGA Republicans' Controversial Statements

The podcast also covers controversial remarks made by MAGA Republicans during the hearings, further escalating tensions.

• Pardoning January 6th Insurrectionists:
  Congressman Kevin Kramer defends Trump's decision to pardon January 6th insurrectionists, citing unequal treatment under the law.
  “[23:48] 'They were being treated differently than other people.'”

• Opposition to Raising Minimum Wage:
  Senator Kevin Kramer expresses strong opposition to increasing the federal minimum wage, arguing it disrupts market dynamics.
  “[24:53] 'I don't even know why we have a federal minimum wage... manipulating markets with mandatory wages doesn't make any sense.'”

• Calls for Governor Gavin Newsom's Punishment:
  Speaker of the House Mike Johnson controversially suggests tar-and-feathering Governor Gavin Newsom.
  “[25:48] 'Gavin Newsom should be tarred and feathered.'”

5. Host Insights and Analysis

Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas provide their analysis on the hearings, emphasizing the implications of the GOP's faltering testimonies.

• Support for Democracy:
  Ben remarks, “'These hearings are a crucial battleground for maintaining our democratic integrity.'”
• Humorous Takes:
  Brett injects humor into the discussion, lightening the heavy political discourse.
  “'Watching GOP witnesses crumble is like seeing a reality show unfold live.'”

6. Concluding Thoughts

The episode wraps up with the brothers reflecting on the broader impact of the hearings. They underscore the importance of holding officials accountable and the role of informed journalism in safeguarding democracy.

• Democratic Resolve:
  Jordy concludes, “'Despite the GOP's struggles, our commitment to democracy remains unwavering.'”

Key Quotes with Timestamps

• Congresswoman Aguilar on Legal Basis:
  "[00:54] 'There has to be an invasion of a foreign nation, a rebellion against the government or the president is unable with regular forces to execute the law.'”

• Pete Hegseth on Los Angeles Situation:
  "[03:03] 'If you've got millions of illegals... they're flaving. They're waving flags from foreign countries...'”

• Senator Dick Durbin on NIH Cuts:
  "[15:02] 'Your budget wipes out $18 billion that we fought for over 10 years.'"

• Congressman Kevin Kramer on Minimum Wage:
  "[24:53] 'I don't even know why we have a federal minimum wage... manipulating markets with mandatory wages doesn't make any sense.'”

• Speaker Mike Johnson on Gavin Newsom:
  "[25:48] 'Gavin Newsom should be tarred and feathered.'”

Conclusion

This episode of The MeidasTouch Podcast provides a detailed and engaging account of the intense live hearings where GOP witnesses struggled to withstand the rigorous questioning from Democratic lawmakers. Through a blend of thorough analysis and the brothers' unique banter, listeners gain a clear understanding of the political dynamics at play and the challenges facing the GOP in maintaining their legislative stance under pressure.

Transcript

[Ad Sponsor]

This episode is brought to you by Buffalo Trace Distillery. Powerful yet smooth. Contained but never tame. Proudly going their own way but never going alone. This is the spirit inside Buffalo Trace Bourbon Made at Buffalo Trace Distillery. The world's most award winning distillery. Buffalo Trace is always perfectly untamed. Distilled, aged and bottled by Buffalo Trace distillery, Franklin County, Kentucky. 90 proof 45% alcohol by volume. Learn more@buffalotrace distillery.com Please drink responsibly.

[Congresswoman]

I'm 32, juggling family, working full time and earning a Bachelor's degree at University of Phoenix. I earn career relevant skills with every five week course. Skills I can use now, not just after graduation.

[Ad Sponsor]

Earn skills in weeks, not years. Visit phoenix.edu if you're thirsting for asphalt.

[Tom Brokaw]

Smelting your work boots, tape measure has anger issues, nail guns, talking smack again and hardhat baked onto head level refreshments. We definitely have that.

[Ad Sponsor]

Cool off with Gatorade Summer Blaze available.

[Tom Brokaw]

Only at Circle K. When you're feeling.

[Ad Sponsor]

The heat, Circle K makes your day.

[Tom Brokaw]

At Chipotle. We also have a playlist Guacamole as it's being hand mashed, the sizzle of adobo chicken on the grill, the chopping of onions and cilantro. We call our playlist Real. Order now. Chipotle for real.

[Lester Holt]

NBC Nightly News legacy isn't handed down or NBC News.

[Tom Brokaw]

I'm Tom Brokaw.

[Ad Sponsor]

We hope to see you back here.

[Lester Holt]

I'm Lester Holt.

[Ad Sponsor]

It's carried forward. Tom Yamaz is there for us.

[Tom Brokaw]

Firefighters are still working around the clock.

[Ad Sponsor]

As the world changes, we look for what endures.

[Tom Brokaw]

We are coming on the air with breaking news. Right now we look for a constant.

[Ad Sponsor]

And from one era to the next.

[Lester Holt]

Trust is the anchor.

[Tom Brokaw]

For NBC Nightly News, I'm Tom Yamas.

[Ad Sponsor]

A new chapter begins NBC Nightly News with Tom Yamas evenings on NBC. Wow. These Trump cabinet members and top Trump officials had disastrous days on Capitol Hill during their testimony before the House of Representatives and in the Senate. I want to share with you what went down first in the House of Representatives. Democratic Congress member Aguilar was cross examining the Secretary of Defense, former Fox host Pete Hegseth, about the basis for Donald Trump federalizing the National Guard and Democratic Congressman Aguilar says there are three instances where it's permitted and it's required to be under the supervision and control and with the permission of the governor. And there has to be an invasion of a foreign nation, a rebellion against the government or the president is unable with regular forces to to execute the law. So Secretary of Defense Hegseth. You're saying that that was happening in Los Angeles. Watch what Hegseth admits to play. This clip we're doing is we're proud to do.

[Tom Brokaw]

We're proud to do it.

[Ad Sponsor]

10 USC of the US code 12406 as a legal basis that the President used cites three examples and circumstances for the Guard invasion by a foreign nation, a rebellion or dangerous rebellion against the authority of the government of the United States or the president is unable for with regular forces to the laws of the United States. Which authority is is triggered here to justify the use?

[Tom Brokaw]

I don't know. You just read it yourself and people can listen themselves. But it sounds like all three to me. If you've got millions of illegals and you don't know where they're coming from, they're flaving. They're waving flags from foreign countries and assaulting police officers and law enforcement officers. That's a problem.

[Ad Sponsor]

United States.

[Tom Brokaw]

The governor of California is unable to execute the laws of the United States.

[Ad Sponsor]

The President.

[Tom Brokaw]

You said all governor of the California has failed to protect his people along with the mayor of Los Angeles. And so President Trump has said he protect our agents and our Guard and Marines are proud to do it also.

[Ad Sponsor]

Says, Mr. Secretary, that the orders for these purposes shall be issued through governors of the states.

[Tom Brokaw]

You and I both know that President Trump has all the authorities necessary and thankfully he's willing to do it on behalf of the citizens of Los Angeles, on behalf of our ICE agents and behalf of our country.

[Ad Sponsor]

We've also pulled a billion dollars. A fairly stunning admission of how utterly unhinged this regime is that they're saying all three are going down in Los Angeles. None of those three are going down. There's been no permission or coordination with California Governor Gavin Newsom. This is patently unlawful. And I like that. The Democrats in this hearing, like Congresswoman DeLauro was not letting Hegseth filibuster. And she said if you're showing up to a budget hearing, you may want to bring the numbers Hegseth. Watch this incredible moment. Play this clip.

[Tom Brokaw]

In shipbuilding and the challenges our department under the previous administration squandered a lot of that. Please.

[Congresswoman]

I know I want to. I want your plan. I've had difficulties with the prior administration and I don't mind calling them out. What is your plan for the future? Can we get that in writing and on paper so that we know where you're going? Because we don't have anything today. We have zip, nada. And knowing where you're going. You could talk percentages, you can talk about whatever you want. But unless this committee sees dollars and cents and where you're going and what your plan is, then we may reconsider what you need to do to go forward. Give us the details, Congresswoman, we have.

[Tom Brokaw]

The details and we will provide let's.

[Congresswoman]

Have them before we and my hope is that we could get to it before we go to a markup within a few hours here today. I yield back my time, Mr.

[Senator]

Chair.

[Ad Sponsor]

Gentlelady yields back. Going back to Democratic Congressmember Aguilar cross examining Hegseth he got one of HEG Sith Chiefs McDonald's her name. To admit that the current estimated cost for Trump's call it an invasion of LA federalizing of the National Guard will be $134 million of what they're doing in Los Angeles. Just think about what they're costing the taxpayers based on what Trump's doing in Los Angeles, and I think that's going to exceed $1 billion. Here, play this clip. What is the estimated cost of the deployment for the Guard and the Marines.

[Congressman]

To L. A and where's this funding coming from?

[Ad Sponsor]

Will it be coming from quality of life programs that affect our service members or our families? If you want to wait till I.

[Tom Brokaw]

Before I hand it to Ryan, such.

[Ad Sponsor]

As updates housing and barracks before I.

[Tom Brokaw]

Hand it to Brian. The insinuation that we're pulling money from housing and barracks in order to fund this is disingenuous and correct.

[Ad Sponsor]

Just ask.

[Tom Brokaw]

Brent can give you the numbers. Absolutely.

[Congresswoman]

So the current estimated cost is $134.

[Ad Sponsor]

Million, which is largely just TDY cost.

[Senator]

Travel, housing, food, etc.

[Ad Sponsor]

Pete Hegseth continues to filibuster as Democratic Congresswoman McCollum has some good questions for him. And she's just like, look, if you're not going to bring the data, then what's the point of this? If you don't know any numbers, what the hell are you even here at a budget committee for?

[Tom Brokaw]

Play this clip that folks like Gavin Newsome and Karen Bass have implemented. If the police chief said she was.

[Congresswoman]

Overwhelmed, ask the budgetary questions. I will yield back my time. If the secretary refuses to answer the budgetary questions I put before him, they're important. What training missions aren't happening, where are you pulling the money from and how are you planning this in the moving forward? These are budget questions that affect this committee and the decisions we're going to be making in a couple of hours. If you're not going to answer Them please let the chairman know and I will re. I will take back my time and I will yield it back to Mr. Secretary.

[Senator]

I want to just let us know.

[Ad Sponsor]

What accounts you're pulling the money to fund.

[Tom Brokaw]

Thankfully, unlike the previous administration, We've got a 13% increase in our defense budget and we will have the capability to cover down on contingencies, which is something the National Guard and the Marine plan for. So we have the funding to cover down on contingencies, especially ones as important as maintaining law and order in a major American city. As far as training, all of the units on the ground have been fully trained in their capabilities of what they're.

[Congresswoman]

Executing on the ground for budgetary. If he needs to get back to the committee with the numbers, I'd appreciate it.

[Tom Brokaw]

Happy to submit them for the record.

[Ad Sponsor]

Now going to the Senate for a moment. You had Trump's head of nih, Bacheria, he testified. And I want you to watch Democratic Senator. Let's start off with Democratic Senator Baldwin's questioning of NIH Director Bacharaya. Play this clip.

[Congresswoman]

You don't deny that it reduces the amount that will be spent on biomedical.

[Senator]

Research next year by an even deeper.

[Congresswoman]

Amount than the $18 billion 40% cut already.

[Lester Holt]

Right. So the way the forward funding works right now we have multi year projects that we fund.

[Congresswoman]

Yes.

[Lester Holt]

And forward funding says we will allocate the money for those multi year projects this year rather than in the out years. And so principle in the law, if.

[Congresswoman]

It'S a four year project, three of the years will sit escrow account and not be spent next year again, further diminishing the amount that will be spent on biomedical research.

[Lester Holt]

No, I think, I mean, I think the thing is in the long run what it does is allow you to spend more money and have more flexibility for new research projects. That's because what it says, that's funny math. I mean it's just the math. I mean economist also what it does is it says, look, let's allocate the money this year so that next year the money isn't tied up on previous year's projects. That's in the long run. I mean I think like as I said, I'm happy to work with Congress and looking forward to working with Congress on this. This is a budget proposal, not a final thing. I think if I had to start and redesign the system again from start allowing more flexibility as new scientific opportunities come up, the forward funding model allows that to happen. Actually more than the current model where large fractions of the NIH budget are tied up with old projects. So I think that. But as the transition in, it really matters how we do it. And so I absolutely, really glad to work with Congress on that to make sure that there's no disruptions.

[Senator]

Thank you.

[Ad Sponsor]

Then you have Democratic Senator Murray grilling Bacharaya about cuts to medical research, including ending HIV vaccine trials. Play this clip.

[Senator]

Research effort to develop an HIV vaccine Just as scientists, including at the Fred Hunch center in Seattle, are on the cusp of a functional cure for HIV, terminating those HIV vaccine trials now cuts off access to treatment for 6,000 patients in the network. You canceled a clinical trial evaluating new evidence based interventions for type 2 diabetes in rural communities in Appalachia. You terminated a clinical trial studying immunotherapy in combination with monoclonal antibodies to treat women with recurrent ovarian cancer. That is what has already happened. So now you are coming to us today proposing to cut NIH funding by 40% next year. Tell us, how many fewer clinical trials would you fund in the next fiscal year with a budget cut of $18 billion?

[Lester Holt]

Senator, can I just address the HIV because I am absolutely committed to the. In 2019, the President Trump issued a challenge for us to eliminate the threat of HIV in this country. And we've had a 22% reduction HIV transmission since then. We now have the technological tools to do that. I've been working on developing a program to actually implement this vision so we can use new advances.

[Senator]

But you did terminate the HIV research at Fred Hutch. That again, was on the cusp of a treatment for 6,000 patients. You did do that.

[Lester Holt]

I'd have to get back to you.

[Senator]

You did do okay, Senator.

[Lester Holt]

I mean, I think we actually have now the chance with the existing technologies, lencapavir and other technologies to actually.

[Senator]

I'm delighted to hear that. But I'm just telling you what clinical trials have been terminated. And I'm asking you this because we have to write an appropriations bill. How many fewer clinical trials will you fund in the next fiscal year with an $18 billion cut?

[Lester Holt]

Well, Senator, the. That's your budget requirement. The. The budget request is a work of negotiation between Congress and the administration. President Trump has issued a letter to Secretary Kratzios committing the United States to be the leading nation.

[Senator]

Yeah, okay. Well, you're not answering the question. We need to know how many fewer clinical trials. Can you get that number back to me, please?

[Lester Holt]

I mean, that's.

[Senator]

You're asking for a budget. We're trying to figure out what that will fund. That's Our job.

[Lester Holt]

The number depends on what the requests we get for proposals from all across the country. The budget itself will be dependent on what you all all do as well as well.

[Senator]

I know, but we are trying to write a budget with the knowledge that you have, with the requests that you have. I'm asking a question, how many fewer clinical trials? We need an answer back to that.

[Lester Holt]

Well, Senator, it's hard to give an answer to that because I don't know what the proposals are going to be that are going to come in Right. I mean, you're asking a hypothetical question about what the scientific.

[Senator]

I came here today to ask for a budget that reduces NIH significantly. I would expect as director you would know what the impacts had for more.

[Ad Sponsor]

From Democratic Senator Murray saying I want to know the numbers of employees who left the clinical center and the entire agency as a result of your personnel actions. Give me the numbers.

[Senator]

Play this clip Answers from you. For months you told me 25 staff have been fired from the NIH Clinical center out of the 1,445 who've been fired across the entire agency. But that does not include staff leaving after being offered buyouts or threatened with future layoffs. I want to know what is the total number of employees who left the clinical center and the entire agency as a result of the Trump administration's personnel actions? In total.

[Lester Holt]

So the numbers I have in front of me are for the reduction in force. That's the 25 I mentioned in our conversation. We'll get those numbers for the retirement steel.

[Senator]

Well, I told you I was going to ask for this administration over the phone. I've requested this multiple times. How come you do not have that for us today?

[Lester Holt]

I thought my misunderstanding. I thought you were asking for the reduction in force numbers which we provided.

[Senator]

I was being very clear. So I want to know by the end of the day. Can I have a detailed list of the reductions in staff by institute, by center, by job function, not just RIFs.

[Lester Holt]

Not just the RRIFs.

[Senator]

We'll get you total staff reductions. Can I have that by the end of the day? Yes. Okay. Those are really basic questions and I want to see that by the end of today.

[Ad Sponsor]

Then Democratic Senator Dick Durbin had his term to Bacharaya play this clip Team.

[Senator Dick Durbin]

Billion dollar increase in medical research at the nih. I couldn't have been prouder of all of our bipartisan efforts to do that this year. Your budget wipes it out completely. Wipes out $18 billion that we fought for over 10 years. And I can't Understand that I disagree with this administration on so many things, but this is the one that really gets to me personally. To think that this nation would walk away from medical research. For God's sake, we'd lead the world in medical research. Why would we give up on it? I look at the specifics here. Cancer 2025. 2 million new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in the United States. 600,000 people will die from that disease. Yet your budget requests a 38% cut. 38% to the National Cancer Institute. 7 million people nationwide are living with Alzheimer's. This disease, of course, is devastating to families. It robs them of their loved ones. Yet your budget requests a 39% cut to the National Institute of Aging. When you look at specific schools, of course I'm concerned about Illinois. We have great research there. Northwestern University has not received a penny for NIH grants. In 11 weeks, 1,359 NIH awards to Northwestern have been frozen or terminated, holding $81 million in research to date. I could go through some of the specifics of this research, but it includes $9 million in clinical trials for brain cancer, colon cancer, breast cancer, childhood cancer. How are you able to reconcile these budget decisions with the reality of research and what it means to alleviate suffering and more importantly, to give people hope. If research is underway, you at least have the hope that maybe there'll be a cure, maybe in the lifetime of someone I love. How can you walk away from that?

[Lester Holt]

Listen to my intention not to walk away from that. I mean, I think that the budget speaks for itself.

[Senator Dick Durbin]

You cut 18 billion in research.

[Lester Holt]

Senator, the budget is a collaboration between Congress and the administration. So I look forward to talking about the advances that NIH research has made. I think the transition has been a very bumpy time, and I don't mean to like, downplay that, but there have been opportunities for reform for how the biomedical research enterprise works. I think the decisions about Northwestern happened before I got into office. But let me just say that Buck.

[Senator Dick Durbin]

Stops in your office.

[Lester Holt]

I know it does. So let me just say that.

[Senator Dick Durbin]

Don't blame another person.

[Lester Holt]

I'm not blaming anyone.

[Senator Dick Durbin]

We're asking you and your insurance.

[Lester Holt]

Senator. I agree with that.

[Ad Sponsor]

I want to tell you about our next sponsor, Stop Box. I am a responsible gun owner and I use Stop Box to make sure that my firearm is secure. I have a five month old baby girl. Seems that she's getting older each day. I have a number of nieces and nephews in my house. And it is critical that I have the peace of mind that my firearm is safe, secure, out of their reach and that that can never be accessed while making sure that I can protect my and one of the things that I like about Stopbox Pro is it is 100% mechanical so you never have to worry about it not working when you need it the most. And I was surprised about how durable and well made it is. And also it not relying on a battery also gives me more peace of mind. All Stopbox products are proudly made in the USA in their own facility. Not only does this ensure the high quality craftsmanship of every product sent out, but it does also create meaningful jobs here. And you know, at the Midas Touch Network, all of our products, all of our merch are made in America as well. So it's great to be supportive of an American business like Stop Box. So for a limited time only, our listeners are going to get a crazy deal here. Not only do you get 10% off your entire order when you use the code MIDAS10@stopbox USA.com they're also going to give you a buy one, get one free for their stop box pro. So that's 10% off and a free Stop Box Pro. When you use the code MIDAS10, just spell it right M E I D A S10 MIDUS10. So you go to stopboxusa.com use that code MIDAS10. Discover a better way to balance security and readiness with Stop Box. One of the funny things I want to point out. Also not funny things, probably disturbing things. Nobody knows what the hell Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth are talking about with the Golden Dome. No one knows what the Golden Dome is like. Even MAGA Republican Congressmember Ken Calvert is saying to Pete Hegseth, what's this? What, what does the Golden Dome mean? We've seen you do like an AI photo, but like what is this thing that you're asking money for? You haven't described it. And like Heg said, no one knows what it means because it exists in Donald Trump's maniac brain. Play this clip. Especially with a new technology like Golden.

[Senator]

Dome, which you know, we still, as.

[Ad Sponsor]

The ranking member pointed out, we still haven't seen a clear definition of what.

[Senator]

It is and what it's a strategic.

[Ad Sponsor]

Theater system, lower 48, Hawaii, Alaska, the rest of it. Hegseth also admits that he will be cutting funding to Ukraine. Let's play this clip.

[Tom Brokaw]

Reduction in this budget. As you know, this administration takes a very different view of that conflict. We believe it a negotiated peaceful settlement is in the best interest of both parties and our nation's interests, especially with all the competing interests around the globe. I don't think the word victory has been well defined or the path to it. And as a result, a path to peace that stops the killing and the carnage is something that President Trump is very invested in.

[Ad Sponsor]

Democratic Senator Sheehan had some great questions for NIH Director Bacharaya. Let's watch this.

[Congresswoman]

How do you reassure researchers, how do you reassure academic institutions and patients, most importantly, that addiction research is not going to suffer when your budget proposes cutting funding and dismantling the very institute that has led to this critical work?

[Lester Holt]

Lissandra, the health needs for folks with overdoses are great. Almost 100,000 deaths a year since 2020.

[Congresswoman]

I understand that. I've been working on it for over 10 years. So don't tell me what the problem is. Tell me what the solution is and how you're going to address it when you're cutting your budget in areas that make a difference.

[Lester Holt]

The solution involves research. Right? So as you said, Narcan, that's the result of NIH funded research work. And I don't think it only involves research. The sharp increase, I'm sorry, research in biomedicine particularly, but also in behavioral research to understand the sort of settings that lead to overdoses. And I think the NIH is going to play a really important role in that. The key thing is not the reorganization of the nih. That's not as important to me as the activities that we're talking about, the activities to do research that meet those needs. That's what I'm going to make sure happens at the nih. So that those, so that when, you know, if I come back four years from now, we can look back and say, you know, that we've, we've reached the high water mark of deaths from overdoses which spiked during the pandemic, and that we've addressed those needs with excellent research.

[Congresswoman]

Well, it's hard for me to understand how we're going to address those needs with excellent research. When you're cutting research grants, you're cutting personnel, and the we're seeing some of our best scientists talking about going to Europe and to other parts of the world because they don't feel like they can get a fair shake in the United States. Thank you, Madam Chair.

[Ad Sponsor]

So, and just seeing these MAGA Republicans on Capitol Hill in their press appearances like this just happened today, like, just think about these three statements today. You have MAGA Republican Congressmember Harriet Hagman saying that she absolutely loves that Donald Trump pardoned the January 6th insurrectionist.

[Senator]

Play this clip out on January 6th.

[Ad Sponsor]

On January 6th, what was your feeling about pardoning those who had been convicted of crimes related to January 6th?

[Senator]

I think it was absolutely appropriate because under the equal protection clause of both the 5th and 14th amendment, it's clear that they were being treated differently than other people. And again, I'm going to go back to the summer, so called summer of love of 2020, the people who were burning buildings who were over $2 billion in damages. There's really no comparison as to what happened in 2020 and what happened on January 6th. Yet the people on January 6th were treated very, very differently. One of the absolute linchpins of our republic, of our constitutional foundation is equal protection, which means that people who are similarly situated must be treated similarly. And that is not the circumstance of what happened with the people with January 6th.

[Ad Sponsor]

We are one data point. Second data point. You have MAGA Republican Senator Kevin Kramer on raising the minimum wage. And he says, I don't think we should have a minimum wage. It could be. Why are we even setting a floor? Again, MAGA Republican Senator Kevin Kramer play this clip. The federal minimum wage right now is $7.25.

[Congresswoman]

What do you think about raising the.

[Ad Sponsor]

Federal minimum wage wage? Well, I don't even know why we have a, quote, federal minimum wage, to be honest, because I don't know anybody.

[Lester Holt]

In where I come from in North Dakota. People are, you know, businesses are fortunate.

[Ad Sponsor]

If they can get somebody for less than $15.

[Lester Holt]

And I think the market works really well, Stuart.

[Ad Sponsor]

And I think that when you raise a minimum wage of $15, you reduce.

[Lester Holt]

The number of people who can get.

[Ad Sponsor]

A beginner's job, work at a fast food restaurant, work, whatever the case might be, in the service sector or otherwise. So I don't, I don't, I just think manipulating markets with mandatory, you know, wages doesn't make any sense. Mr. Senator, thank you very much for being.

[Congressman]

With us this morning.

[Ad Sponsor]

Then also today you have MAGA Republican Congress member and speaker of the House MAGA Mike Johnson, saying that he believes Gavin Newsom should be, quote, tar and feathered tar and 1700s like medieval torture. Play this clip.

[Tom Brokaw]

Johnson, the president said possibly yes, that if you were Tom Homan, he would arrest Gavin Newsom. You believe that Newsom should face consequences.

[Congressman]

In a legal way. Look, that's not my lane. I'm not going to give you legal analysis on whether Gavin Newsom should be arrested, but he ought to be tarred and feathered. I'll say that. I mean, look, he's standing in the way of the administration and the carrying out of federal law, right? He is applauding the bad guys and standing in the way of the good guys. He is trying to. He's a participant, an accomplice, and our federal law enforcement agents being not just disrespected, but assaulted. This is a serious problem. And the governor is now filing a lawsuit against the President. What a joke. Do your job, man. That's what I tell Gavin Newsom. Do your job, stop working on your rebranding and be a governor. Stand up for the rule of law. He's not doing that. So I don't know what the ultimate measure will be there, but I know that in the interim time, the President of the United States is showing real leadership and we're not going to allow LA to burn. We?

[Ad Sponsor]

This is who the MAGA Republicans are. This is who the Trump cabinet members are. I just showed you in their own words what they said today. And you judge for yourself. You tell me what you think. Hit subscribe. Let's get to 5 million subscribers and thanks for watching. Can't get enough Midas? Check out the Midas plus substack for ad Free articles, reports, podcasts, daily recaps from Ron Filipkowski and more. Sign up for free [e-mail].

[Tom Brokaw]

Hi Zoe Saldana. Welcome to T Mobile. Here's your new iPhone 16 Pro on us.

[Congresswoman]

Thanks. And here's my old phone to trade in.

[Tom Brokaw]

You don't need a trade in. When you switch to T Mobile. We'll give you a new iPhone 16 Pro. Plus we'll help you pay off your old Phone up to 800 bucks and you still get to keep it.

[Congresswoman]

There's always a trade in.

[Ad Sponsor]

Not right now.

[Tom Brokaw]

@ T Mobile.

[Congresswoman]

I feel like I have to give you something in return for karma.

[Tom Brokaw]

That's okay.

[Congresswoman]

I don't really have much in my purse. Oh, let's see. Hand sanitizer. It's lavender.

[Tom Brokaw]

I'm good.

[Ad Sponsor]

Seriously.

[Congresswoman]

Let me check this pocket. Oh, mints.

[Tom Brokaw]

Really, I'm fine.

[Congresswoman]

Oh, I have raisins. I'm a mom. Wait, wait one sec. I've got cupcakes in the car.

[Tom Brokaw]

It's our best iPhone offer ever.

[Ad Sponsor]

Switch to T Mobile. Get a new iPhone 16 Pro with Apple Intelligence on us. No trade in needed. Will even pay off your phone up to 800 bucks with 24 monthly bill credits.

[Tom Brokaw]

New line, $100 plus a month on.

[Ad Sponsor]

Experience beyond Finance Agreement 99999 and qualifying ported for well qualified plus tax and $10 connection charge. Pay off via virtual prepaid for another 15 days. Credits and imbalance due if you pay off earlier. Cancel ctmobile. Com.