Leader Schumer Floor Remarks On Trump’s Dangerous And Unqualified Nominees
Washington, D.C. – Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) today spoke on the Senate floor warning of the dangers posed by the nominations of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Kash Patel, and Tulsi Gabbard before their confirmation hearings this week. Below are Senator Schumer’s remarks, which can also be viewed here:
Today, Robert Kennedy Jr. begins testifying before the Senate Finance Committee. To state the obvious, having a very wealthy anti-vaxxer running America’s public health would put every single American in danger. Mr. Kennedy is a walking public health crisis waiting to happen.
Of course, Mr. Kennedy is doing exactly what everyone thought he’d do in his hearing. He’s suddenly saying what people want to hear about vaccines. He’s claiming he was never against vaccines or that his words have been twisted.
We need to look at Mr. Kennedy’s record: he’s spent years making millions peddling conspiracy theories and outright lies. His nomination should go no further.
Tomorrow, the Senate Judiciary Committee will hear testimony from Kash Patel, President Trump’s nominee to be the next FBI Director.
Mr. Patel is not remotely prepared to serve as FBI Director. In fact he has a long history of spreading lies about the FBI and of smearing the public servants who work there to keep us safe. He’s a conspiracy theorist, a hard-right ideologue, and openly hostile towards the free press.
During tomorrow’s hearing, the most important question for Senators is “how on Earth will Mr. Patel’s confirmation make Americans safer?”
How will Americans be safer if the FBI is led by a darling of the QAnon movement?
How does it serve America’s public safety to elevate a January 6th sympathizer to the highest level of law enforcement in the land?
How can Americans trust that Donald Trump will drain the swamp if he puts one of his most loyal political fixers as chief law enforcer?
It is written that you cannot serve two masters, and that’s true of Mr. Patel. He either serves the interests of the American people or serves the interests of Donald Trump. Given Mr. Patel’s history, it’s very clear who he will choose – Donald Trump.
Tomorrow, the Senate Intelligence Committee will hold a hearing for President Trump’s nominee for DNI, Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard.
Of all people President Trump could have nominated for the job of DNI, few could be worse for our national security Tulsi Gabbard.
If confirmed, Ms. Gabbard would be a walking liability to our intelligence community and our national security. She has a long and troubled history of spreading falsities and sympathizing with the likes of Vladimir Putin and Assad. Given her history, it’s not unreasonable to ask if Ms. Gabbard would use the DNI job to push false intelligence for political ends.
Is Ms. Gabbard really the best the Republicans have to offer for the job? Someone who is known to make things up out of thin air? Is this really who Republicans want managing our intelligence community, which is fact based?
Our intelligence agencies, the people who work there, rely on truthfulness and facts to keep our country safe. Ms. Gabbard is deficient in both qualities, and clearly does not merit elevation to the position of DNI.
###