Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Celerity

(54,448 posts)
Mon Feb 3, 2025, 09:40 PM Feb 2025

Four Trump Nominees Wouldn't Tell Congress If They'd Refuse Illegal Orders



Senators asked Tulsi Gabbard, Kash Patel, Pam Bondi and Pete Hegseth about how they would respond if they received an illegal order from Trump. None of them explicitly answered.

https://www.notus.org/whitehouse/donald-trump-nominees-senate-orders



At least four of President Donald Trump’s cabinet nominees have deflected confirmation hearing questions about whether they’d refuse to take illegal orders from the president, raising concern from Democratic lawmakers. “The failure to respond directly and unequivocally is, in some ways, disqualifying,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal told NOTUS on Thursday.

Senators asked Tulsi Gabbard, Kash Patel, Pam Bondi and Pete Hegseth at their respective hearings about how they would respond if they received an illegal order from Trump. None of them explicitly answered, instead saying that they’ve previously followed the law or that they don’t believe Trump would issue an illegal order.

It’s not an empty hypothetical. The line of questioning to Gabbard and Patel on Thursday came just two days after the White House ordered a freeze on all federal financial assistance — a move that a federal judge almost immediately paused and many were quick to call unconstitutional.

Sen. Ron Wyden referenced the aid freeze during Gabbard’s hearing for director of national intelligence. “I’m interested in knowing what you would do if President Trump told you to withhold congressionally approved funds from the intelligence community inspector general,” he asked Gabbard. “Will you refuse that illegal order?”

snip
5 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Four Trump Nominees Wouldn't Tell Congress If They'd Refuse Illegal Orders (Original Post) Celerity Feb 2025 OP
That should be an automatic disqualification. Scrivener7 Feb 2025 #1
Of course they won't, that's why Trump picked them. 50 Shades Of Blue Feb 2025 #2
Never Try to Get the Truth Out of a Reputed Liar MrWowWow Feb 2025 #3
None of them explicitly answered anything. I haven't watched much... 3catwoman3 Feb 2025 #4
He's not going to be... 2naSalit Feb 2025 #5

50 Shades Of Blue

(11,401 posts)
2. Of course they won't, that's why Trump picked them.
Mon Feb 3, 2025, 09:55 PM
Feb 2025

They know they can break all the laws they want and there will be zero repercussions.

MrWowWow

(1,461 posts)
3. Never Try to Get the Truth Out of a Reputed Liar
Mon Feb 3, 2025, 10:00 PM
Feb 2025

Last edited Tue Feb 4, 2025, 12:04 AM - Edit history (1)

These habitual liars will more than likely, lie when answering any confirmation question. Put these assholes under oath. Ask them then. If they lie, they need to be disqualified for consideration. They also need to be subject to arrest for lying under oath.

3catwoman3

(29,427 posts)
4. None of them explicitly answered anything. I haven't watched much...
Mon Feb 3, 2025, 10:02 PM
Feb 2025

...but the few minutes I did see, what a bunch of slippery non-answers.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Four Trump Nominees Would...