Whoa! GOP Hearing Backfires as Dems Expose Witnesses

Summary

The MeidasTouch Podcast

Episode: "Whoa! GOP Hearing Backfires as Dems Expose Witnesses"

Date: January 8, 2026
Hosts: Ben, Brett, and Jordy Meiselas

---

Episode Overview

In this explosive episode, the Meiselas brothers break down a Congressional hearing that dramatically backfired on MAGA Republicans. Intended as a showcase of alleged Democratic corruption in Minnesota, the hearing saw Democrats masterfully turning the tables on Republican witnesses and lawmakers—spotlighting hypocrisy, demanding accountability for Trump-era pardons of fraudsters, and exposing the cynicism behind GOP outrage. Through sharp cross-examination, withering commentary, and no-nonsense questioning about baseless conspiracy theories and punitive social program cuts, Democrats reveal the emptiness of GOP talking points and highlight pressing issues affecting Americans, like affordability and the gutting of vital public programs.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. GOP Hearing Focus and Democratic Counterattack

• Opening theme: The Republicans call a hearing to focus on welfare fraud in Minnesota, but largely intend to distract from broader issues such as the struggling economy and recent Trump administration scandals ([00:00]).
• Narrator/Ben Meiselas: "Instead, what MAGA Republicans wanted to focus on was fraud in Minnesota, which was largely being prosecuted by the former Biden DOJ..." ([00:23]).
• Democrats swiftly shift the focus to demand accountability not only on local fraud but also for Trump-era pardons, cuts to social programs, and the spreading of dangerous conspiracy theories.

2. Democrats Grill GOP Witnesses on Conspiracy Endorsements

• Congressmember Maxwell Frost confronts Minnesota GOP witnesses about their silence concerning Trump’s public conspiracy theories linking Governor Walz to the murder of state lawmakers ([01:47], [07:04]).
  • Quote:

    "Do you agree that we should call on the president, take down the post? That's it."
    – Rep. Maxwell Frost ([08:09])

• GOP reps repeatedly deflect, refuse direct answers, or try to claim neutrality, highlighting their fear of criticizing Trump.
• Memorable moment: None of the Republicans on the panel raise their hands to condemn Trump’s violent conspiracy posts ([03:01]).

3. Democrats Turn the Fraud Question Back on Trump

• Congresswoman Ansari challenges GOP witnesses on their refusal to speak against Trump's pardons of convicted fraudsters (e.g., George Santos, BITMEX crypto firm) ([04:16], [05:12]).
  • Quote:

    "I will take your refusal to go on record not only as cowardice, but that you do agree with that pardon of that fraudster."
    – Rep. Ansari ([05:45])

• GOP witnesses dodge, refuse to “play the game,” and decline to disavow Trump’s actions, exposing apparent hypocrisy ([05:05], [06:16]).

4. Highlighting GOP’s Hypocrisy on Social Programs & Fraud

• Democrats, including Summer Lee and Stansberry, underscore that while Republicans rail against "fraud," they simultaneously cut vital programs for children and working families, while Trump pardons corporate and white-collar fraudsters ([09:36], [11:01], [12:03]).

  • Quote:

    "You're passing legislation to redefine showerheads in Congress while the President of the United States is illegally invading foreign countries."
    – Rep. Melanie Stansberry ([11:16])

• Congressmember Garcia delivers a detailed rebuke, laying out the real-world consequences of Trump's cuts: child care for 18,000 kids in Minnesota, healthcare for millions, and SNAP for 40 million nationwide ([12:03]).

5. Culture War and Personal Attacks

• The hearing devolves at times into chaos as Republican Congressman James Comer and others interrupt, belittle, or attempt to silence Democratic women on the committee, including the use of the word “baby” to dismiss Rep. Presley ([16:52]–[19:04]).
  • Quote:

    "No, baby, you're not. You are not in order. You're out of order. Goodbye. You're done."
    – Unidentified MAGA Republican ([18:53])

• Democrats respond assertively, exposing the disrespect and shifting attention back to substantive issues.

6. Demonization of Immigrants

• Nancy Mace, a Republican, uses her time to question whether Somali-American citizens in Minnesota should be required to speak English, and whether those convicted of fraud should be denaturalized and deported ([19:22]).
  • Quote:

    "Should Somalians in Minnesota be required to speak English? They're citizens–yes or no?"
    – Nancy Mace ([19:22])

• Democrats object, calling it inappropriate and irrelevant.

7. Closing Rebukes and the January 6th Anniversary

• Congressmember McGovern delivers a passionate call-out, condemning Republican attempts to rewrite history of the Capitol insurrection and their refusal to honor fallen police officers ([24:21]–[26:16]).
  • Quote:

    "How shameful of this Republican majority party to stay silent in the face of this depravity and rewriting of history."
    – Rep. McGovern ([25:31])

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On GOP Witnesses’ Cowardice:

  "It's not a game. It's real life. It's not a game at all. ...I will take your, your refusal to go on record not only as cowardice, but that you do agree with that pardon of that fraudster."
  -- Rep. Ansari ([05:45])

• On Trump's Conspiracy Theories:

  "Governor Wall says this behavior will get more innocent people killed. And the Hortman children have come out on the president and said – and called on the president to take the statements down. I think it is very important that we are very clear that we condemn this type of behavior."
  -- Rep. Maxwell Frost ([07:04])

• On Democratic Focus:

  "People can't afford homes right now. People can't afford their rent right now. People are psychologically tortured if they're lucky enough to get a paycheck..."
  -- Host/Narrator ([26:16])

• On the Deflection of Republican Witnesses:

  "I'm not going to engage in silly condemnation game."
  -- GOP Minnesota Rep ([08:43])

• On the Personal Attacks and Chaos:

  "No, baby, you're not. You are not in order. You're out of order. Goodbye. You're done."
  -- MAGA Rep. ([18:53])

---

Timestamps of Key Segments

• 00:00–01:47 – Hearing context, overview of MAGA focus on Minnesota fraud.
• 01:47–03:01 – Rep. Maxwell Frost confronts GOP witnesses on conspiracy theories.
• 03:01–04:16 – Rep. Ansari presses witnesses to condemn Trump’s conspiracies.
• 04:16–06:16 – Rep. Ansari presses on pardons for fraudsters.
• 07:04–08:53 – Rep. Frost: Repeated deflection by GOP panelists.
• 09:36–11:01 – Democrats point to hypocritical defunding of social programs amidst fraud claims.
• 12:03–14:58 – Rep. Garcia’s comprehensive indictment of Trump and GOP policies.
• 16:52–19:04 – Republicans belittle Democratic women, devolving into personal attacks.
• 19:22–20:55 – Nancy Mace’s anti-immigrant questioning and its repudiation.
• 21:41–23:04 – Rep. Tom Emmer credits social media “whistleblowers,” continues narrative.
• 24:21–26:16 – Rep. McGovern on GOP refusal to honor Jan 6 police heroes, warning about whitewashing.
• 26:16–27:13 – Host summary, plea for focus on American affordability crisis.

---

Episode Tone & Takeaways

The tone is passionate, combative, and unrepentantly progressive, blending righteous indignation with fact-based critique and moments of comic relief. The Meiselas brothers and the Democratic committee members showcased are unapologetic in calling out GOP hypocrisy, cowardice, and the performative nature of their concern for fraud, while the Republican reps are depicted as evasive, disrespectful, and beholden to Trumpism. The episode’s clear message: despite the GOP’s focus on misleading narratives, it’s Democrats who are fighting for real issues that matter to the majority of Americans.

---

Useful for anyone who missed the episode, this summary brings out the episode’s essential themes, heated exchanges, and memorable moments with accuracy, context, and timestamped references.

Transcript

[Narrator/Host]

Total chaos broke out during congressional hearings where MAGA Republicans did not want to focus on the issues that are crushing the American people right now, like affordability. Like people are living paycheck to paycheck, being psychologically tortured if they're lucky enough to get a paycheck. Instead, what MAGA Republicans wanted to focus on was fraud in Minnesota, which was largely being prosecuted by the former Biden doj, with the key architect of that fraud being a white lady was prosecuted. But this is what MAGA wanted to focus on. Let me be very clear. Fraud needs to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. But the biggest fraudster is the one living in the White House right now, or Mar a Lago or wherever the hell he's at. He certainly doesn't know where he's living. Based on the cognitive decline that we're seeing. I think he thinks that he's living in Imperial Rome as he tries to destroy our country, playing the fiddle like Nero as our country burns. But you'll see as Democrats completely turn the table on the MAGA Republicans during this hearing. And so the MAGA Republicans call in their fellow MAGA Republican colleagues from Minnesota, mind you, on the very same day that Trump's ICE Gestapo murdered a United States citizen in South Minneapolis. Let me show you what goes down when Democratic Congress member Maxwell Frost is cross examining the MAGA Republican representatives from Minnesota who were called by the MAGA Republicans in D.C. to try to propagandize and distract the American people from Trump's cover up of the Epstein files and Donald Trump's cover up of the disastrous economy here that he's caused to 99% of the American people. Watch what goes down here. Play this clip.

[Congressmember Maxwell Frost]

That's great. Do you think it's appropriate for the President, United States?

[MAGA Republican Representative from Minnesota (possibly Christine Robbins or similar)]

I am not going to engage in.

[Narrator/Host]

The silly condemnation, no, no, no.

[Congressmember Maxwell Frost]

This is not. No, no, no, no, no. This is not silly. This is the.

[Narrator/Host]

What did you have to say about this?

[MAGA Republican Representative from Minnesota (possibly Christine Robbins or similar)]

What did you have to say about.

[Congressmember Maxwell Frost]

Jeh State of Virginia? I'll reclaim my time. I'm not playing this game. Gentlemen. Will stop talking on my order.

[Narrator/Host]

Order, Order. Next up, you have Democratic Congresswoman Ansari watch as she cross examines the MAGA Republican State Representative from Minnesota, Christine Robbins and others and says, can people here raise their hand if you think it's appropriate that Donald Trump is spreading conspiracies that Governor Walls murdered the Hortman's. Melissa Hortman, the former speaker of the House in Minnesota and her husband. Do you think that's acceptable behavior. None of the Republicans raised their hands to say that they thought it was unacceptable because they are so fearful of upsetting their dear Fuhrer, their dear leader, their head of the Gestapo who's killing citizens in their states. Watch what goes down here. Play this clip.

[Democratic Congresswoman Ansari]

So I want to start with this question for the lawmakers here from Minnesota. As you know, Donald Trump has been posting these conspiracy theories about the linking Governor Walz to the killing of your former speaker and insinuating that Governor Walz had something to do with it. Can you please raise your hand if you think this is an appropriate action by the president of the United States?

[MAGA Republican Representative from Minnesota (possibly Mr. Bellow or Mr. Hudson)]

Raise your hand, please. I'm not doing a Raise your hand. I'm happy to comment on it.

[Democratic Congresswoman Ansari]

Sure. Is it appropriate for the president to do that?

[MAGA Republican Representative from Minnesota (possibly Mr. Bellow or Mr. Hudson)]

So the person who murdered our colleague, Steven Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, answer the question in his appropriate for the president of the United States evidence saying cause violence against his governor was ordering him to do it. I know the facts will come out in the case and we need to be respectful of the Hortman family and we need to let this play out in the courts. That is unacceptable.

[Democratic Congresswoman Ansari]

It is un inappropriate to the highest.

[MAGA Republican Representative from Minnesota (possibly Mr. Bellow or Mr. Hudson)]

Degree for the president of the United States to be sharing conspiracy theories that.

[Democratic Congresswoman Ansari]

Are obviously going to lead to violence directed at Governor Tim Walz.

[Narrator/Host]

Next I'll share with you as Democratic Congresswoman Presley also then says, okay, you want to talk about fraud? Let me show you some examples of fraud. So she shows George Santos, for example. Watch this. Play this clip.

[Democratic Congresswoman Ansari]

That is not the standard that is being set by Donald Trump, who is wielding his clemency authority to allow fraudsters to escape accountability altogether. Last month, my office published a clemency report titled Trump's Clemency Gap How Trump's Pardons Are Ignoring the People who Need Them the Most. Ask unanimous consent to enter this into the record. Thank you. Now to the witnesses who serve in the Minnesota state legislature on the fraud Prevention Committee, let's walk through these pardons for fraudsters. And we all care about fraud. So Ms. Robbins, Mr. Hudson and Ms. Rarick, Donald Trump pardoned George Santos, who defrauded voters and owed them $370,000 in restitution to victims. Raise your hand if you oppose this pardon. Thank you, Mr. Bellow.

[MAGA Republican Representative from Minnesota (possibly Mr. Bellow or Mr. Hudson)]

Ma', am. I would have to look at the law and the facts of the case. We cannot listen. We cannot know the facts of all these individual cases.

[Democratic Congresswoman Ansari]

Don't deflect. This is a very public case. You know Who Jorge Santos is. You know exactly what he did. We just agreed that, you know, fraud is unacceptable. And so. And you just talked about accountability. You said if people commit fraud and exploit the public good that they should be incarcerated. So this is not a complicated question. So I will give you all one more opportunity. Ms. Robbins, Mr. Hudson and Ms. Rarick, raise your hand if you oppose the pardon of Jorge Santos.

[Narrator/Host]

Not playing this game.

[Democratic Congresswoman Ansari]

It's not a game. It's real life. It's not a game at all. Okay. But I will take your, your refusal to go on record not only as cowardice, but that you do agree with that pardon of that fraudster. Moving on. Donald Trump also gave, and this has never been done before, presidential pardons to corporations that committed fraud. One example is the crypto company BITMEX that violated US law and was fined $100 million. Now raise your hand if you oppose Trump's pardon of this crypto company.

[Narrator/Host]

Not participating.

[Democratic Congresswoman Ansari]

Thank you, Mr. Ballou. Okay, again, I'll take your refusal to. Not to raise your hand in opposition. That means that you support this pardon of this corporation that frauded folks to the tune of $100 million.

[Narrator/Host]

Refusal to participate.

[MAGA Republican Representative from Minnesota (possibly Christine Robbins or similar)]

One way or the other.

[Democratic Congresswoman Ansari]

Rules of committee. This is.

[Congressmember Maxwell Frost]

I know that I am here as.

[Democratic Congresswoman Ansari]

A member of the public claiming my time. You were not. You serve, Mr.

[MAGA Republican Representative from Minnesota (possibly Christine Robbins or similar)]

Chair.

[Democratic Congresswoman Presley or Summer Lee]

That's what I know.

[Democratic Congresswoman Ansari]

You are not in order with the rules of the committee. This is time. This is my time. That's our dollars questions and you answer. But you're too much of a coward to answer. So we're gonna move on now.

[Narrator/Host]

Actually, I should show you that full clip of Congressmember Maxwell Frost cross examining these MAGA witnesses. Watch it. Play this clip.

[Congressmember Maxwell Frost]

And I have one more thing. I want to talk about that Representative Ansari brought up President Trump reposted conspiracy theories on his truth social account about the murder of Minnesota state legislators Mark and Melissa Hortman. That suggests that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz had the Hortman's assassinated. Governor Wall says this behavior will get more innocent people killed. And the Hortman children have come out on the president and said and called on the president to take the statements down. I think it is very important that we are very clear that we condemn this type of behavior. So I just want to go down the line and hear if you agree with the Hortman children that we should condemn. And we asked the President to take down this post. Mr. Bayou.

[Narrator/Host]

Yes, representative.

[MAGA Republican Representative from Minnesota (possibly Mr. Bellow or Mr. Hudson)]

So as the longest serving member on this panel of Minnesota, I am so offended that Anybody would accuse anybody of the assassination other than Lance Bolter, because this was. Do you agree with the deep scar in the state of Minnesota and all of us personally? I served with melissa My entire 13 years. Do you agree is just unbelievably beyond the pale.

[Congressmember Maxwell Frost]

Do you agree that we should. We should call on the president, take down the post. That's it.

[MAGA Republican Representative from Minnesota (possibly Mr. Bellow or Mr. Hudson)]

I said. But I said I think that it's beyond the pale that anybody.

[Congressmember Maxwell Frost]

Okay, you can't come to call the president, take down the post. Okay, we'll move on. We'll move on. Thank you. Thank you, ma'.

[MAGA Republican Representative from Minnesota (possibly Mr. Bellow or Mr. Hudson)]

Am.

[Congressmember Maxwell Frost]

We'll move on. You can't call the president, take down this post. We'll move on to Representative Hudson. It's just a yes or no.

[Narrator/Host]

I cannot deceive the committee by giving it a binary.

[MAGA Republican Representative from Minnesota (possibly Christine Robbins or similar)]

I have spoken to this many times.

[Narrator/Host]

I have renounced the content of these ridiculous conspiracy theories and I've called them ridiculous on multiple.

[Congressmember Maxwell Frost]

That's great. Do you think it's probably for the President, United States?

[Narrator/Host]

I am not going to engage in silly condemnation game.

[Congressmember Maxwell Frost]

No, no, no, no, no. This is not silly. This is the.

[Narrator/Host]

What did you have to say about this?

[Congressmember Maxwell Frost]

What did you have to say about Jing My. I will reclaim my time, gentlemen. Their mothers aren't talking.

[Narrator/Host]

I'm not playing this game.

[Congressmember Maxwell Frost]

Gentlemen. Will stop talking on my order.

[Narrator/Host]

Order, order.

[MAGA Republican Representative from Minnesota (possibly Mr. Bellow or Mr. Hudson)]

We'll.

[Narrator/Host]

We'll give you a few seconds to close. Frost.

[Congressmember Maxwell Frost]

I have to comment on this because this is not silly. It is not silly to expect good behavior from the people at the highest levels of our government. Do you expect Jay Jones not your time.

[MAGA Republican Representative from Minnesota (possibly Christine Robbins or similar)]

Do you expect from Jay not your time.

[Congressmember Maxwell Frost]

Including the President of the United States? I yield.

[Narrator/Host]

Back then, you had Democratic Congresswoman Summer Lee turn the tables on MAGA Republican James Comer. Watch this.

[Democratic Congresswoman Ansari]

Just yesterday, Trump also froze approximately 10 billion in funding for programs supporting child care, social services grants and cash assistance. And not only Minnesota, but in other Democratic led states, California, Colorado, New York and Illinois. No matter what party we're elected to, we represent the people of our district, Democrat or Republican. We represent as the federal government, all people of all states, irrespective of how they voted. That's the charge that I took. And I would like and hope that you all would do the same. When so many of these social service programs are being gutted and defunded, fraud becomes even more harmful as that means even less money is going to people who need it. People need these programs. This situation should be an opportunity to take a deep look at the programs and improve their oversight abilities. Not an excuse to cut them entirely. If we care about the most vulnerable, if we care about the most marginalized, this is an opportunity to do so. And I welcome us to actually do that one day. Thanks.

[MAGA Republican Representative from Minnesota (possibly Christine Robbins or similar)]

I yield back, Ms. Lee.

[Narrator/Host]

The IGs are hired to identify fraud. They haven't identified fraud.

[Democratic Congresswoman Presley or Summer Lee]

The IGs have failed.

[Democratic Congresswoman Ansari]

But anyway, you all have failed.

[Narrator/Host]

No, you all continue to fail.

[Democratic Congresswoman Ansari]

We've done nothing. You've had the gavel. Mr. Coleman, we barely do hearings on anything that actually affects you. You have power here, and yet you don't do anything. Yes, he actually initiated this, sir. But thank you so much for your opinion.

[Narrator/Host]

You have failed.

[Democratic Congresswoman Ansari]

I yield it back.

[Narrator/Host]

And look at this incredible moment where Democratic Congresswoman Melanie Stansberry, you know, we think that she's so great. Both her and Congresswoman Lee are amazing. Here's Congresswoman Stansberry torching James Comer. Play this clip.

[MAGA Republican Representative from Minnesota (possibly Mr. Bellow or Mr. Hudson)]

And you all are sitting here running legislation on showerheads while millions of Americans health insurance is expiring, while millions of Americans can't even put food on the table right now. And you're over here parading around state officials demonizing immigrants, talking about cutting basic programs, and you're passing legislation to redefine showerheads in Congress while the President of the United States is illegally invading foreign countries. Order.

[Narrator/Host]

Gentlelady's times expired.

[MAGA Republican Representative from Minnesota (possibly Mr. Bellow or Mr. Hudson)]

I find it appalling.

[Democratic Congresswoman Presley or Summer Lee]

Order.

[Narrator/Host]

Then the Democratic ranking member of the House Oversight Committee, who's been doing an incredible job, Congressmember Garcia. Watch what he says. Play this clip.

[MAGA Republican Representative from Minnesota (possibly Christine Robbins or similar)]

We should fight fraud when people rip off programs designed to help working families. And also, we should fight fraud when large corporations and wealthy individuals dodge their own taxes and rig the system for their own benefit. And especially, we should fight fraud when figures in our government, particularly those in power within the White House or agencies, get rich and profit from their offices. Fraud is never acceptable and it undermines public trust, whoever commits it. But let's remember that some of the worst fraud and corruption is actually found at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Republicans like to talk about fraud in states with Democratic governors, oftentimes exclusively. But Republicans also have a president who has pardoned or reduced jail time for 25 criminals convicted of fraud in this year alone. Now, some of these fraudsters have made also huge campaign contributions to Donald Trump. And worst of all, Trump's pardons mean that these criminals can avoid paying back more than $1 billion, which they owe their victims and dwarfs much of the fraud that the House majority wants to talk about today. This is actually the opposite of accountability. Instead, the House majority wants to excuse and cut programs, which they have done from the start. Now, Donald Trump's signature law cut money for health care and food programs. Medicaid and CHIP help almost half the kids in the United States see a doctor. And that we lost, of course, a trillion dollars in those programs. Over 10 million people could lose health care. Trump's law also cut 40 million people who use SNAP, and this includes, by the way, one out of every five kids. And this is happening not just in Minnesota. The President plans to freeze more than 10 billion for child care subsidies, social services and cash support for low income families in Minnesota, New York, Colorado, Illinois, and my home state of California. Of course, we know these states have Democratic governors that Donald Trump wants to punish, and we should look at those consequences if we want to talk about fraud. In Minnesota, which we're talking about today, Donald Trump is removing child care funding for the entire state. That frozen funding provides child care for over 18,000 kids. These kids didn't commit fraud, so I want to know why they should be punished. Last night he said he's withholding all possibly Medicaid funds from Minnesota, which could harm one in five residents. Now in New York, another state he's threatening, that's over 66,000 innocent kids, while pardoning, of course, 25 fraudsters and robbing victims of over $1 billion. Donald Trump should have to face the kids and parents who will be hurt, even though they've done nothing wrong. I want to know what the President and the House majority expect the parents of these kids to do.

[Sponsor/Advertiser Voice]

You know that pressure this time of year where it suddenly feels like you need a whole new wardrobe just to keep up with the weather. And half the stuff you buy falls apart the second you actually need it. Hoodies. Especially this time of year, a good hoodie is essential. But it can be tough to find one that will last through the season. That's why I'm obsessed with the American Giant Classic Full Zip hoodie. The American Giant Classic Full Zip hoodie is made to last a lifetime. So you can count on it to bring you comfort and warmth year after year. Slate magazine called it the greatest hoodie ever made. And from cotton to zipper, it's made right here in the usa. I've been wearing mine constantly, and the first thing you notice is the quality. The weight of the fabric, the stitching, the zipper. Everything feels intentionally made. And the longer I've had it, the better. It's gotten. Softer, but still incredibly durable. American Giant obsesses over every detail and it shows. Every piece feels like something that's going to be in your closet for years, not months. And I love that everything is made in America by the communities that actually create the product. The iconic Classic Full Zip hoodie is the jacket that started it all for American Giant. Custom heavyweight fleece and side panels for mobility make it the best hoodie ever. The body skimming fit, double line hood and reinforced elbow patches mean that this hoodie will last. And if you want to branch out, American Giant makes staples that are anything but basic, like the premium slub crew tee, no bs High rise pant and the slim rough neck pant. Everything is made in America and designed to last. No exception this season. Snag the hoodie that will bring you comfort for life. The American giant classic full zip and save. 20% off your first order at american-giant.com when you use code MIDAS at checkout, that's 20% off your first order at American-giant.com code MIDAS me I D A.

[Narrator/Host]

S. In contrast, you have MAGA Republican Congressmember James Comer and the MAGA Republicans calling the Democratic Congresswoman Presley baby. They called her baby. You had Nancy Mace and others, while Congresswoman Presley was asking questions, started to shout at Congresswoman Presley and say, just be quiet, baby. Be quiet, baby. The hell is wrong with these MAGA Republicans? Play this clip.

[Democratic Congresswoman Ansari]

But really, he's just a criminal. So raise your hand if you oppose Trump's pardon of this Minnesota individual.

[MAGA Republican Representative from Minnesota (possibly Mr. Bellow or Mr. Hudson)]

Ma', Am, this grandstanding nonsense.

[Democratic Congresswoman Ansari]

This is not grandstanding nonsense.

[MAGA Republican Representative from Minnesota (possibly Mr. Bellow or Mr. Hudson)]

Hate about.

[Democratic Congresswoman Ansari]

This is accountability and you are hypocrites. So again, I will take your reflection.

[MAGA Republican Representative from Minnesota (possibly Mr. Bellow or Mr. Hudson)]

She's off the rails.

[Democratic Congresswoman Ansari]

Time. I'm not off the rails. Please. You are totally off the rails, Nancy.

[Democratic Congresswoman Presley or Summer Lee]

I'm not.

[Democratic Congresswoman Ansari]

Forget Trumps. Give me my time back.

[Narrator/Host]

Order. Mr. Chairman, if Republicans come here.

[Democratic Congresswoman Ansari]

At least.

[Narrator/Host]

Miss Presley, you've already secured your MSNBC spot.

[Democratic Congresswoman Presley or Summer Lee]

Tonight.

[Narrator/Host]

Recognizes miss Mace. Recognizes Ms. Mace.

[MAGA Republican Representative from Minnesota (possibly Mr. Bellow or Mr. Hudson)]

Mr. Chairman, I agree. She's going to be a great host.

[Narrator/Host]

On Ms.

[Democratic Congresswoman Presley or Summer Lee]

How are you, Ms.

[MAGA Republican Representative from Minnesota (possibly Mr. Bellow or Mr. Hudson)]

I reclaim my time. This is my time.

[Democratic Congresswoman Presley or Summer Lee]

I wouldn't want to interrupt Ms. Mace. It's her time. Chair recognizes Ms. She did not get.

[MAGA Republican Representative from Minnesota (possibly Mr. Bellow or Mr. Hudson)]

All of her time, Mr. Chairman.

[Narrator/Host]

She wants to insult us for ten more seconds.

[MAGA Republican Representative from Minnesota (possibly Mr. Bellow or Mr. Hudson)]

Your time is get this woman in order.

[Narrator/Host]

Her time is expired. Chair recognizes Mr. You're gonna be great on TV.

[MAGA Republican Representative from Minnesota (possibly Mr. Bellow or Mr. Hudson)]

You're really good. No, baby, you're not. No, baby, you're not. You are not in order. You're out of order. Goodbye. You're done. Mr. Chairman is my favorite.

[Narrator/Host]

Guys, Ms. Mice, we got here. And here's how Nancy Mace, the MAGA Republican, wanted to spend her time asking the one normal voice on this panel about whether Somalians who are citizens should be stripped of their citizenship. Play this clip.

[MAGA Republican Representative from Minnesota (possibly Mr. Bellow or Mr. Hudson)]

First question is this. Mr. Balu, this, this afternoon, should Somalians in Minnesota be required to speak English? Their citizens one, yes or no. Should they be required to speak English if they're American citizens?

[Congressmember Maxwell Frost]

I think that question is really inappropriate.

[MAGA Republican Representative from Minnesota (possibly Mr. Bellow or Mr. Hudson)]

Should they. It's not inappropriate. This is the United States of America. Do you speak English? Should Americans speak English? Citizens speak English, yes or no?

[MAGA Republican Representative from Minnesota (possibly Christine Robbins or similar)]

Point of inquiry. Is English the official language of the United States? I'm just.

[Democratic Congresswoman Ansari]

It's a question.

[MAGA Republican Representative from Minnesota (possibly Mr. Bellow or Mr. Hudson)]

Mr. Chairman, I'm being interrupted again.

[Narrator/Host]

Parliamentary inquiry.

[MAGA Republican Representative from Minnesota (possibly Mr. Bellow or Mr. Hudson)]

I would like to reclaim my time. Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I'd like to reclaim my time. She's asking the witness a popular.

[Narrator/Host]

That's not a valid.

[MAGA Republican Representative from Minnesota (possibly Mr. Bellow or Mr. Hudson)]

It's a. Women have a right to speak in this committee. Conservative women have the right to speak here and not be interrupted.

[Democratic Congresswoman Presley or Summer Lee]

I would like to reply.

[MAGA Republican Representative from Minnesota (possibly Mr. Bellow or Mr. Hudson)]

I lost like 10 seconds there.

[Democratic Congresswoman Presley or Summer Lee]

Okay, we'll give you 10 seconds.

[Sponsor/Advertiser Voice]

Okay.

[MAGA Republican Representative from Minnesota (possibly Mr. Bellow or Mr. Hudson)]

My next question is should Somalians who committed fraud be denaturalized and deported? Mr. Baliu, again, I'm not sure that's.

[Narrator/Host]

An appropriate question because the majority of Somalians.

[MAGA Republican Representative from Minnesota (possibly Mr. Bellow or Mr. Hudson)]

So if you commit fraud in this country and you are here from Somalia, you don't believe they should be denaturalized and deported, how much fraud would it take for you to want to denaturalize and deport someone who committed fraud in this country? How much again? A billion? 9 billion? 19 billion? What would it take for you? Most Somali Minnesotans are citizens.

[Narrator/Host]

Then you had Tom Emmer, the maga, Republican congressmember from Minnesota, who celebrates the fact that Donald Trump has revoked billions of dollars in childcare services, billions of dollars in other essential services for the state of Minnesota. Great job, Congressman, throwing your own state under the bus. You despicable, grotesque. I could just go on and on and on. I'll stop with the inhabitant attacks and just focus more on the clips. I apologize. Sometimes I get so angry from. From these people. But Tom Emmer says, have you all seen on X, all the whistleblowers on X? The whistleblowers on Elon Musk's spot. Infested platform. Okay, Emmer, play this clip. Mr. Emmer.

[MAGA Republican Representative from Minnesota (possibly Christine Robbins or similar)]

Thank you, Chairman Comer, for holding this important hearing. As I said on Monday, good riddance to Governor Walls. But he cannot escape accountability for the estimated $9 billion in fraud. How did this happen? And where the hell has the Twin Cities media been? The Star Tribune is complicit. They have had this story for years, if you just heard. And they've refused to report anything on it. In fact, they continue to cover up. Our Minnesota Republican colleagues have demanded answers and accountability for years, but have seen nothing from Walz, his administration. Our Democrat colleagues like Tina Smith, Amy Klobuchar, Ilhan Omar and Angie Craig, or the worthless Star Tribune. Thank God for President Donald J. Trump for finally bringing attention to this issue. Representative Rarek, I'm going to begin with you. You've been working on this issue for years. You've spoken to the whistleblowers personally. Is that correct?

[Democratic Congresswoman Ansari]

Correct.

[MAGA Republican Representative from Minnesota (possibly Mr. Bellow or Mr. Hudson)]

That is correct.

[MAGA Republican Representative from Minnesota (possibly Christine Robbins or similar)]

You have an understanding that 1,000 whistleblowers running an account on X have come forward to expose fraud in Minnesota state agencies, and they have been entirely ignored by Tim Walls and have even been retaliated against. Is that accurate?

[MAGA Republican Representative from Minnesota (possibly Mr. Bellow or Mr. Hudson)]

That is correct. Even this morning, I got another message.

[MAGA Republican Representative from Minnesota (possibly Christine Robbins or similar)]

Well, in your experience, are their claims credible or are they politically motivated against Walls?

[Democratic Congresswoman Ansari]

They are completely credible.

[MAGA Republican Representative from Minnesota (possibly Mr. Bellow or Mr. Hudson)]

Not politically motivated.

[Narrator/Host]

Now back to The Democrats. Congressmember McGovern taking the floor. And here's what he had to say.

[Democratic Congresswoman Presley or Summer Lee]

Republicans found the time to illegally slap Donald Trump's name onto the Kennedy center. Defacing a memorial to a great president in a single day. 24 hours. 24 hours. But a legally required honor for the officers who defended this democracy. I mean, five years of excuses, five years of delay, five years of cowardice and disrespect to law enforcement by Republicans. When all is said and done, history will not look kindly on these Trump Republicans and this Republican majority. And they all know it. They all know it. And at this point, let me say to my Republican friends, it is always the right time to do the decent thing, the thing the law requires, which is to hang the plaque honoring these brave men and women who put their lives on the line to defend us, to defend this building and to defend this democracy. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to insert the text of my amendment into the record along with any extraneous material immediately prior to the vote on the previous question. Without objection, and I reserve the balance of my time.

[Narrator/Host]

More from Congressmember McGovern right here. Here's what he had to say as well.

[Democratic Congresswoman Presley or Summer Lee]

Mr. Speaker, if we defe the previous question, I'm going to offer an amendment to the rule to bring up H. Con. Res. 33, which calls for the plaque honoring the brave police officers that defended this Capitol and our democracy on January 6 to be put up in the Capitol as required by law. As required by law. Mr. Speaker, I am sick and tired of Republicans standing up and proclaiming their unwavering support for law enforcement when they won't even honor the law enforcement that saved them, that saved us and our democracy here on January 6th. Yesterday was the fifth anniversary of the January 6th attack on the Capitol by supporters of Donald Trump. Over 140 officers were injured. An officer was killed. Others died by suicide following the trauma of that day. And you know how the White House marked this anniversary? Do you know how the White House marked this anniversary? They marked it by putting up an Orwellian webpage, rewriting history and claiming it is the officers who were to blame for the violence. How disgusting. How despicable. How disgraceful. You know, and I asked my Republican colleagues, do you really believe that crap when you look in the eyes of the Capitol police that guard this building? Do you accuse them of being responsible for the violence of that day? How dare the President of the United States say such a thing. And how shameful of this Republican majority party to stay silent in the face of this depravity and rewriting of history.

[Narrator/Host]

And folks, I just think the contrast there that I shared with you between the Democrats and these magas are night and day, night and day. The end of the day, what I just want to see is people fighting for the American people. I want to see people focusing on housing, housing, housing. People can't afford homes right now. People can't afford their rent right now. People are psychologically tortured if they're lucky enough to get a paycheck, living paycheck to paycheck check in this country. And Donald Trump's out there threatening to invade Greenland and every country in the Western hemisphere and he's got his Gestapo, his SS forces on the street murdering US Citizens to try to intimidate, harass and distract from a mega Republican cover up of a child sex trafficking ring. How utterly, utterly despicable. We'll cover it every step of the way here on the Midas Touch Network. Hit subscribe. Let's get to 6 million. We appreciate you want to stay plugged in.

[Sponsor/Advertiser Voice]

Become a subscriber to our [e-mail] you'll get daily recaps from Ron Filipkowski ad free episodes of our podcast and more exclusive content Only [e-mail].

[Narrator/Host]

Everyone deserves to be connected. That's why t Mobile and US Cellular are joining forces. Switch to T Mobile and save up to 20% versus variety by getting built in benefits they leave out. Check the math@t mobile.com switch and now T mobile is in US cellular stores. Savings versus Comparable Verizon plans plus the cost of optional benefits, plan features and taxes and fees vary. Savings with three plus lines include third line free via monthly bill credits. Credits stop if you cancel any lines.

[Congressmember Maxwell Frost]

Qualifying credit required.