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Great to be here.
Great
to
be
here
>> So,
>>
So
how was your day?
how
was
your
day
>> Uneventful.
>>
Uneventful
>> Good. Uh,
>>
Good
Uh
>> now big surprise this morning.
>>
now
big
surprise
this
morning
>> Big surprise. Uh, I was going to be
>>
Big
surprise
Uh
I
was
going
to
be
talking to you all about subsidies for
talking
to
you
all
about
subsidies
for
healthcare and then this morning uh if
healthcare
and
then
this
morning
uh
if
you could just explain uh very quickly
you
could
just
explain
uh
very
quickly
uh secretary of whatever he wants to
uh
secretary
of
whatever
he
wants
to
call it, Pete Hagsth.
call
it
Pete
Hagsth
>> Yeah.
>>
Yeah
>> Uh censored you, stripped you of some
>>
Uh
censored
you
stripped
you
of
some
What exactly did he do? Well, first let
What
exactly
did
he
do
Well
first
let
me let me back up to November. Myself
me
let
me
back
up
to
November
Myself
and some of my colleagues, we put out a
and
some
of
my
colleagues
we
put
out
a
little video and we just said to members
little
video
and
we
just
said
to
members
of the military, do don't follow illegal
of
the
military
do
don't
follow
illegal
orders. We stated the law,
orders
We
stated
the
law
>> right?
>>
right
>> Donald Trump didn't like that.
>>
Donald
Trump
didn't
like
that
>> About five of you guys, six of you guys.
>>
About
five
of
you
guys
six
of
you
guys
>> Yeah. Six of us. Yeah. Video a little.
>>
Yeah
Six
of
us
Yeah
Video
a
little
It was like, you know, the imagine video
It
was
like
you
know
the
imagine
video
for senators, but okay. I was with you.
for
senators
but
okay
I
was
with
you
>> We thought it was would get like no
>>
We
thought
it
was
would
get
like
no
reaction. Donald Trump said I should be
reaction
Donald
Trump
said
I
should
be
hanged, executed, prosecuted. Wow.
hanged
executed
prosecuted
Wow
>> And then when the hanging thing, I guess
>>
And
then
when
the
hanging
thing
I
guess
they couldn't figure out how to do that.
they
couldn't
figure
out
how
to
do
that
You know, setting up the gallows in
You
know
setting
up
the
gallows
in
front of the capital didn't work out so
front
of
the
capital
didn't
work
out
so
well.
well
>> God,
>>
God
>> five years ago.
>>
five
years
ago
>> So then they got the minion Pete
>>
So
then
they
got
the
minion
Pete
Hegstaff.
Hegstaff
>> Yes.
>>
Yes
>> By the way,
>>
By
the
way
>> to like try to prosecute.
>>
to
like
try
to
prosecute
>> I don't know that this is helping you
>>
I
don't
know
that
this
is
helping
you
right now.
right
now
>> But here's the thing.
>>
But
here's
the
thing
>> All right.
>>
All
right
>> They're trying to intimidate all of us.
>>
They're
trying
to
intimidate
all
of
us
>> Of course,
>>
Of
course
>> don't say something they don't like. And
>>
don't
say
something
they
don't
like
And
especially for members of the military,
especially
for
members
of
the
military
retired members, right, like me, keep
retired
members
right
like
me
keep
your mouth shut or they're coming after
your
mouth
shut
or
they're
coming
after
you. They're going to take away your
you
They're
going
to
take
away
your
pension. So, this is much bigger than
pension
So
this
is
much
bigger
than
>> they only came after you. Why did they
>>
they
only
came
after
you
Why
did
they
not come after there? There's five or
not
come
after
there
There's
five
or
six other people in the video.
six
other
people
in
the
video
>> Kind of technical. I'm retired Navy. I
>>
Kind
of
technical
I'm
retired
Navy
I
was in the Navy for 25 years. Okay. So,
was
in
the
Navy
for
25
years
Okay
So
I have a whole career.
I
have
a
whole
career
>> So,
>>
So
>> so it's it's easy.
>>
so
it's
it's
easy
>> They can come after you because you
>>
They
can
come
after
you
because
you
happen to serve longer.
happen
to
serve
longer
>> Longer. Exactly. Yep. Because I went
>>
Longer
Exactly
Yep
Because
I
went
over 20 years. I'm a retired member of
over
20
years
I'm
a
retired
member
of
the military. So, they were like, I was
the
military
So
they
were
like
I
was
the target. But this is not just about
the
target
But
this
is
not
just
about
me, right? And that's why I'm not I'm
me
right
And
that's
why
I'm
not
I'm
not backing down from these from these
not
backing
down
from
these
from
these
guys,
guys
>> RIGHT?
>>
RIGHT
>> Because John, this is serious. I mean,
>>
Because
John
this
is
serious
I
mean
this is
this
is
after the senators and I said nothing
after
the
senators
and
I
said
nothing
and then they'll come after the talk
and
then
they'll
come
after
the
talk
show host. I promise you that.
show
host
I
promise
you
that
>> I wouldn't be surprised to see them
>>
I
wouldn't
be
surprised
to
see
them
threaten,
threaten
>> you know, network television. audience
>>
you
know
network
television
audience
members.
members
>> Exactly.
>>
Exactly
>> Uh,
>>
Uh
>> don't clap too hard.
>>
don't
clap
too
hard
>> The thing that was weird, don't worry,
>>
The
thing
that
was
weird
don't
worry
they don't. Um,
they
don't
Um
>> uh, the thing that struck me was weird.
>>
uh
the
thing
that
struck
me
was
weird
There we go.
There
we
go
>> So, in the message that I saw today, Pet
>>
So
in
the
message
that
I
saw
today
Pet
said, uh, that you were being censored
said
uh
that
you
were
being
censored
because you told service members not to
because
you
told
service
members
not
to
follow lawful orders.
follow
lawful
orders
I watched the video. Yeah,
I
watched
the
video
Yeah
>> it could have used music. Um,
>>
it
could
have
used
music
Um
>> but I watched the video.
>>
but
I
watched
the
video
>> You clearly didn't say that.
>>
You
clearly
didn't
say
that
>> That's right.
>>
That's
right
>> You said don't follow unlawful orders.
>>
You
said
don't
follow
unlawful
orders
So, what is the due process that what
So
what
is
the
due
process
that
what
gives him the ability to strip you of
gives
him
the
ability
to
strip
you
of
something
something
>> when you didn't appear to do what he is
>>
when
you
didn't
appear
to
do
what
he
is
saying that you did?
saying
that
you
did
>> Well, he has been appointed as the
>>
Well
he
has
been
appointed
as
the
secretary of defense. Now, let me be
secretary
of
defense
Now
let
me
be
clear about this. Okay,
clear
about
this
Okay
>> this guy is by far the most unqualified
>>
this
guy
is
by
far
the
most
unqualified
Secretary of Defense this country has
Secretary
of
Defense
this
country
has
ever had. It's not even close.
ever
had
It's
not
even
close
>> So, I would pretend first of all, he
>>
So
I
would
pretend
first
of
all
he
doesn't know what he's doing,
doesn't
know
what
he's
doing
>> right?
>>
right
>> But there is tremendous power in that
>>
But
there
is
tremendous
power
in
that
position.
position
>> And in this administration, I mean, the
>>
And
in
this
administration
I
mean
the
truth doesn't really matter at this
truth
doesn't
really
matter
at
this
point. So,
point
So
>> you're aware.
>>
you're
aware
>> They're going to say what they're going
>>
They're
going
to
say
what
they're
going
to say. They're going to do to me
to
say
They're
going
to
do
to
me
whatever they can figure it out. I I'll
whatever
they
can
figure
it
out
I
I'll
I'll fight it. Like I've got
I'll
fight
it
Like
I've
got
>> So is this is an executive order. Is
>>
So
is
this
is
an
executive
order
Is
this a legal process? Are they laying
this
a
legal
process
Are
they
laying
out evidence again? Because I read if if
out
evidence
again
Because
I
read
if
if
I may
I
may
>> uh this is a a memo that you received.
>>
uh
this
is
a
a
memo
that
you
received
This is not the official memo. This is
This
is
not
the
official
memo
This
is
>> well actually
>>
well
actually
>> from my printer. No, but this is uh but
>>
from
my
printer
No
but
this
is
uh
but
but I want to say uh this is why they're
but
I
want
to
say
uh
this
is
why
they're
saying that you were uh being censored.
saying
that
you
were
uh
being
censored
uh you identified yourself as a captain
uh
you
identified
yourself
as
a
captain
in the United States Navy and stated uh
in
the
United
States
Navy
and
stated
uh
we want to speak directly members of the
we
want
to
speak
directly
members
of
the
military. This administration is pitting
military
This
administration
is
pitting
our uniform military against American
our
uniform
military
against
American
citizens. You can refuse illegal orders.
citizens
You
can
refuse
illegal
orders
You must refuse illegal orders. That
You
must
refuse
illegal
orders
That
sounds like
sounds
like
>> what we what we said
>>
what
we
what
we
said
>> what you
>>
what
you
>> and that's the law. You said you were
>>
and
that's
the
law
You
said
you
were
telling them to uh refuse lawful orders,
telling
them
to
uh
refuse
lawful
orders
>> which is not true. But there's also
>>
which
is
not
true
But
there's
also
stuff in there that's ridiculous. He he
stuff
in
there
that's
ridiculous
He
he
goes on to say uh and and this is the
goes
on
to
say
uh
and
and
this
is
the
part that I thought was sort of uh
part
that
I
thought
was
sort
of
uh
bonkers.
bonkers
On November 20th, 2025, you issued a
On
November
20th
2025
you
issued
a
joint statement defending the video and
joint
statement
defending
the
video
and
reinforcing your call for refusal of
reinforcing
your
call
for
refusal
of
what you characterize as unlawful
what
you
characterize
as
unlawful
orders. Well, you didn't characterize it
orders
Well
you
didn't
characterize
it
that way. That's what you said. You
that
way
That's
what
you
said
You
criticize military leadership for firing
criticize
military
leadership
for
firing
admirals and generals in quotations and
admirals
and
generals
in
quotations
and
surrounding themselves with yesmen, also
surrounding
themselves
with
yesmen
also
in quotations, asserting you would, and
in
quotations
asserting
you
would
and
they bolded this, always defend the
they
bolded
this
always
defend
the
Constitution.
Constitution
>> And in that Constitution,
>>
And
in
that
Constitution
in Article One, I'm in the United States
in
Article
One
I'm
in
the
United
States
Senate. I'm on the Armed Services
Senate
I'm
on
the
Armed
Services
Committee. My job is oversight. I voted
Committee
My
job
is
oversight
I
voted
for those admirals and generals. They
for
those
admirals
and
generals
They
fired him and
fired
him
and
>> this guy's surrounded by a bunch of
>>
this
guy's
surrounded
by
a
bunch
of
yesmen. They didn't like that I said
yesmen
They
didn't
like
that
I
said
that.
that
>> But you're a United States senator and
>>
But
you're
a
United
States
senator
and
if you go on the floor of the Senate and
if
you
go
on
the
floor
of
the
Senate
and
say the Secretary of Defense is
say
the
Secretary
of
Defense
is
surrounded by yesmen, they can go that's
surrounded
by
yesmen
they
can
go
that's
it.
it
>> Your pension is gone and your rank is
>>
Your
pension
is
gone
and
your
rank
is
gone.
gone
>> That is what they're trying to do. I am
>>
That
is
what
they're
trying
to
do
I
am
going to do everything in my power not
going
to
do
everything
in
my
power
not
to allow THEM TO DO THAT.
to
allow
THEM
TO
DO
THAT
I I it's
I
I
it's
what's so interesting to me is this
what's
so
interesting
to
me
is
this
entire episode speaks of something
entire
episode
speaks
of
something
inherent in the character of this
inherent
in
the
character
of
this
administration and that is fragility.
administration
and
that
is
fragility
I don't think I've ever seen strength
I
don't
think
I've
ever
seen
strength
portrayed in this manner. This smacks of
portrayed
in
this
manner
This
smacks
of
weakness and fear.
weakness
and
fear
When people have the power and and the
When
people
have
the
power
and
and
the
respect, they don't need to be petty.
respect
they
don't
need
to
be
petty
This is petty.
This
is
petty
>> It's a reflection of the person at the
>>
It's
a
reflection
of
the
person
at
the
top. It always is
top
It
always
is
>> in any organization. Uh I've I've run
>>
in
any
organization
Uh
I've
I've
run
things before in my career. I was a
things
before
in
my
career
I
was
a
commander of the space shuttle. I had,
commander
of
the
space
shuttle
I
had
you know, adhered to a set of values
you
know
adhered
to
a
set
of
values
with my people and I wanted certain
with
my
people
and
I
wanted
certain
stuff out of them. I expected things. I
stuff
out
of
them
I
expected
things
I
also, in my case, I expected them and
also
in
my
case
I
expected
them
and
demanded that they they often disagree
demanded
that
they
they
often
disagree
with me.
with
me
>> Uh that's not this president. And I
>>
Uh
that's
not
this
president
And
I
think he's got a major ego problem. I
think
he's
got
a
major
ego
problem
I
mean, here's a guy who uh avoided the
mean
here's
a
guy
who
uh
avoided
the
draft. I mean,
draft
I
mean
>> five times.
>>
five
times
>> Yeah. He puts his name on. The only
>>
Yeah
He
puts
his
name
on
The
only
other people that put their name on
other
people
that
put
their
name
on
everything are 8-year-olds going to
everything
are
8-year-olds
going
to
camp. Like this is
camp
Like
this
is
>> he just writes his name on every
>>
he
just
writes
his
name
on
every
>> Kim Jong-un.
>>
Kim
Jong-un
>> Yes.
>>
Yes
>> And Stalin.
>>
And
Stalin
>> But let me ask you, so is there anything
>>
But
let
me
ask
you
so
is
there
anything
in retrospect when you think about the
in
retrospect
when
you
think
about
the
video because it is the idea that no one
video
because
it
is
the
idea
that
no
one
was going to react to it? Probably
was
going
to
react
to
it
Probably
doesn't seem realistic when members of
doesn't
seem
realistic
when
members
of
the United States and make a direct
the
United
States
and
make
a
direct
appeal to camera to service members like
appeal
to
camera
to
service
members
like
that's going to get attention especially
that's
going
to
get
attention
especially
in this environment. Is there anything
in
this
environment
Is
there
anything
that you would do differently about that
that
you
would
do
differently
about
that
video? Forgetting about now not, you
video
Forgetting
about
now
not
you
know, not cowing before somebody
know
not
cowing
before
somebody
threatening your speech, but in
threatening
your
speech
but
in
retrospect, was it the right way to send
retrospect
was
it
the
right
way
to
send
the message you wanted to send?
the
message
you
wanted
to
send
>> It was the right way. And the only thing
>>
It
was
the
right
way
And
the
only
thing
I would change is what you said earlier,
I
would
change
is
what
you
said
earlier
better music. That is it.
better
music
That
is
it
>> Can I tell you my because the the
>>
Can
I
tell
you
my
because
the
the
message, you know, was important right
message
you
know
was
important
right
now. It was especially important. Let me
now
It
was
especially
important
Let
me
tell you why. This president when he was
tell
you
why
This
president
when
he
was
running in 2016 talked about killing the
running
in
2016
talked
about
killing
the
family members of terrorists, right?
family
members
of
terrorists
right
>> That means women and children, murdering
>>
That
means
women
and
children
murdering
children, right?
children
right
>> He also talked about shooting US
>>
He
also
talked
about
shooting
US
citizens in the legs. He has recently
citizens
in
the
legs
He
has
recently
talked about sending US troops into
talked
about
sending
US
troops
into
cities for the military to train.
cities
for
the
military
to
train
>> He's done it
>>
He's
done
it
>> and well and then train on US citizens.
>>
and
well
and
then
train
on
US
citizens
What does that mean?
What
does
that
mean
>> Right. Right. Right. So as a member of
>>
Right
Right
Right
So
as
a
member
of
>> you thought there was an urgency.
>>
you
thought
there
was
an
urgency
>> I felt an obligation
>>
I
felt
an
obligation
>> an obligation to send a message and also
>>
an
obligation
to
send
a
message
and
also
to stand up to this president. If I may,
to
stand
up
to
this
president
If
I
may
the the thing about it that maybe struck
the
the
thing
about
it
that
maybe
struck
me, if I may be slightly critical, is it
me
if
I
may
be
slightly
critical
is
it
felt like people in power in our
felt
like
people
in
power
in
our
government putting the onus of
government
putting
the
onus
of
the knowledge of the nuance of that type
the
knowledge
of
the
nuance
of
that
type
of law on the in the hands of rank and
of
law
on
the
in
the
hands
of
rank
and
file that I worry that putting that
file
that
I
worry
that
putting
that
burden on like I don't know the ins and
burden
on
like
I
don't
know
the
ins
and
outs of whether the strikes on those
outs
of
whether
the
strikes
on
those
boats are illegal or legal. And I would
boats
are
illegal
or
legal
And
I
would
assume that there are probably a lot of
assume
that
there
are
probably
a
lot
of
soldiers who might not. Isn't there
soldiers
who
might
not
Isn't
there
something to senators taking on that
something
to
senators
taking
on
that
task themselves and not necessarily
task
themselves
and
not
necessarily
maybe outsourcing it to rank and file
maybe
outsourcing
it
to
rank
and
file
that might not be as versed in what is
that
might
not
be
as
versed
in
what
is
legal and what isn't. Isn't that a hard
legal
and
what
isn't
Isn't
that
a
hard
decision for them?
decision
for
them
>> Well, let me explain this as plainly.
>>
Well
let
me
explain
this
as
plainly
Yeah.
Yeah
>> Plainly as I can. This is a question
>>
Plainly
as
I
can
This
is
a
question
about what would a reasonable person
about
what
would
a
reasonable
person
think under these circumstances.
think
under
these
circumstances
>> Is that the standard? It's not nuanced.
>>
Is
that
the
standard
It's
not
nuanced
It's not complicated. If a reasonable
It's
not
complicated
If
a
reasonable
person would think that this thing that
person
would
think
that
this
thing
that
they are asking me to do is illegal, you
they
are
asking
me
to
do
is
illegal
you
have an obligation not it's not an
have
an
obligation
not
it's
not
an
option. You have an obligation not to
option
You
have
an
obligation
not
to
follow those orders.
follow
those
orders
>> So, are the boat strikes illegal?
>>
So
are
the
boat
strikes
illegal
>> Well, so I've been asking this question
>>
Well
so
I've
been
asking
this
question
for a long time. on them on the armed
for
a
long
time
on
them
on
the
armed
services and the intelligence committee.
services
and
the
intelligence
committee
They have some complicated legal
They
have
some
complicated
legal
>> rationale 40 pages of why these are
>>
rationale
40
pages
of
why
these
are
legal. It's questionable at best. And by
legal
It's
questionable
at
best
And
by
the way,
the
way
>> that's my
>>
that's
my
>> at first it was fentanyl, then it was
>>
at
first
it
was
fentanyl
then
it
was
cocaine, then it was about regime
cocaine
then
it
was
about
regime
change, then it was about oil.
change
then
it
was
about
oil
>> I understand.
>>
I
understand
>> So, but what I'm do do you see my point?
>>
So
but
what
I'm
do
do
you
see
my
point
You yourself.
You
yourself
>> I don't point our point to members of
>>
I
don't
point
our
point
to
members
of
the military who don't get reminded of
the
military
who
don't
get
reminded
of
this often. when something is clearly
this
often
when
something
is
clearly
unlawful, you have an obligation not to
unlawful
you
have
an
obligation
not
to
follow, right,
follow
right
>> those orders. It's a pretty simple
>>
those
orders
It's
a
pretty
simple
thing. And we've seen in our history,
thing
And
we've
seen
in
our
history
multiple times when even under those
multiple
times
when
even
under
those
circumstances, members of the military
circumstances
members
of
the
military
have done stuff that was clearly over
have
done
stuff
that
was
clearly
over
the line. We did not want that to
the
line
We
did
not
want
that
to
happen.
happen
>> Under the Obama administration, they did
>>
Under
the
Obama
administration
they
did
extrajudicial killings of an American
extrajudicial
killings
of
an
American
citizen through drone strikes. Like we
citizen
through
drone
strikes
Like
we
criticize that. That's my point is
criticize
that
That's
my
point
is
there's enough gray area in some of
there's
enough
gray
area
in
some
of
these actions. I mean, is any of this
these
actions
I
mean
is
any
of
this
legal under the AUM, you know, under
legal
under
the
AUM
you
know
under
under
under
>> there's no AUMF for Venezuela right now?
>>
there's
no
AUMF
for
Venezuela
right
now
No authorization.
No
authorization
>> But everybody everybody is grabbing
>>
But
everybody
everybody
is
grabbing
these authorizations that were given
these
authorizations
that
were
given
during the war on terror and justifying
during
the
war
on
terror
and
justifying
bombings in Libya and justifying. My
bombings
in
Libya
and
justifying
My
question to you is,
question
to
you
is
and this has been something that's been
and
this
has
been
something
that's
been
been somewhat difficult for Democrats to
been
somewhat
difficult
for
Democrats
to
feel,
feel
>> there's a helplessness,
>>
there's
a
helplessness
>> right? And what we're hearing is, you
>>
right
And
what
we're
hearing
is
you
guys got to fight back. You got to
guys
got
to
fight
back
You
got
to
resist this. You're in the army, you've
resist
this
You're
in
the
army
you've
got to resist the illegal orders. You're
got
to
resist
the
illegal
orders
You're
in the streets, you've got to take to
in
the
streets
you've
got
to
take
to
the streets. And we're looking at
the
streets
And
we're
looking
at
Washington and going, you got Chuck
Washington
and
going
you
got
Chuck
Schumer going, we're very, very,
Schumer
going
we're
very
very
it gets me. I get a little gassy. Like
it
gets
me
I
get
a
little
gassy
Like
it's can can you understand why as an
it's
can
can
you
understand
why
as
an
outside observer totally it's really
outside
observer
totally
it's
really
frustrating and an abdication of of
frustrating
and
an
abdication
of
of
leadership. It seems
leadership
It
seems
>> it it is incredibly frustrating and I
>>
it
it
is
incredibly
frustrating
and
I
understand why the American people are
understand
why
the
American
people
are
freaked out, frustrated, unhappy,
freaked
out
frustrated
unhappy
>> unhappy with the Republicans. Unhappy
>>
unhappy
with
the
Republicans
Unhappy
with us, right?
with
us
right
>> We have to do better. We have we have to
>>
We
have
to
do
better
We
have
we
have
to
address the issues that matter to the
address
the
issues
that
matter
to
the
American people right now. Venezuela is
American
people
right
now
Venezuela
is
not solving their problem in trying to
not
solving
their
problem
in
trying
to
pay their rent, right,
pay
their
rent
right
>> or buy groceries or put their kids
>>
or
buy
groceries
or
put
their
kids
through school. That's not the focus
through
school
That's
not
the
focus
that this president should have right
that
this
president
should
have
right
now. And it certainly will not be the
now
And
it
certainly
will
not
be
the
focus.
focus
>> You know, hopefully after 2026 or after
>>
You
know
hopefully
after
2026
or
after
2028 when we have different people in
2028
when
we
have
different
people
in
charge, we can solve a lot of these
charge
we
can
solve
a
lot
of
these
problems. These are some of them are
problems
These
are
some
of
them
are
challenging, but but I I feel that when
challenging
but
but
I
I
feel
that
when
Democrats are in charge, we often try to
Democrats
are
in
charge
we
often
try
to
address issues that matter to the
address
issues
that
matter
to
the
American people. What this president is
American
people
What
this
president
is
doing is he's enriching himself, his
doing
is
he's
enriching
himself
his
family members, his friends, his cabinet
family
members
his
friends
his
cabinet
members,
members
>> oil company executives who
>>
oil
company
executives
who
>> that was my favorite part multiple
>>
that
was
my
favorite
part
multiple
times.
times
>> He didn't brief Congress, but he briefed
>>
He
didn't
brief
Congress
but
he
briefed
the oil executives. But in that sense,
the
oil
executives
But
in
that
sense
do you think Congress still has have
do
you
think
Congress
still
has
have
they abdicated their uh role as a
they
abdicated
their
uh
role
as
a
co-equal branch of government to the
co-equal
branch
of
government
to
the
point that you're not going to be able
point
that
you're
not
going
to
be
able
to get that back? Even if Democrats
to
get
that
back
Even
if
Democrats
don't get a super majority in the Senate
don't
get
a
super
majority
in
the
Senate
and regain the House,
and
regain
the
House
what role do they have in possibly
what
role
do
they
have
in
possibly
stopping all of this? There's a huge
stopping
all
of
this
There's
a
huge
difference between where we are now and
difference
between
where
we
are
now
and
yes,
yes
>> Congress has abdicated its authority.
>>
Congress
has
abdicated
its
authority
>> Even the idea that they're having a vote
>>
Even
the
idea
that
they're
having
a
vote
on whether or not uh to continue the
on
whether
or
not
uh
to
continue
the
authorization for force in Venezuela.
authorization
for
force
in
Venezuela
Like why have we over these past decades
Like
why
have
we
over
these
past
decades
just allowed executives to take these
just
allowed
executives
to
take
these
militaristic actions with no
militaristic
actions
with
no
repercussions?
repercussions
>> Weak members of Congress that has have
>>
Weak
members
of
Congress
that
has
have
allowed that to happen over the years.
allowed
that
to
happen
over
the
years
What are their names? It should not have
What
are
their
names
It
should
not
have
happened.
happened
>> Which ones? Name them. I think one of
>>
Which
ones
Name
them
I
think
one
of
them was on that plane standing.
them
was
on
that
plane
standing
>> He's he's very happy to do it.
>>
He's
he's
very
happy
to
do
it
>> But let me let me just say you you
>>
But
let
me
let
me
just
say
you
you
talked about supermajority. Yeah.
talked
about
supermajority
Yeah
>> We don't need that.
>>
We
don't
need
that
>> We need to win. We need to win elections
>>
We
need
to
win
We
need
to
win
elections
in 2026. We need people to show up and
in
2026
We
need
people
to
show
up
and
vote. And uh if we can take control of
vote
And
uh
if
we
can
take
control
of
the House and the Senate, we've got
the
House
and
the
Senate
we've
got
tremendous power to put this president
tremendous
power
to
put
this
president
in check to call people down and have
in
check
to
call
people
down
and
have
investigations and consequences for the
investigations
and
consequences
for
the
actions that he is taking. Do you know I
actions
that
he
is
taking
Do
you
know
I
think do you believe that if Congress
think
do
you
believe
that
if
Congress
were to uh take back whatever those
were
to
uh
take
back
whatever
those
recisions were on appropriations that
recisions
were
on
appropriations
that
had already been made or they they did
had
already
been
made
or
they
they
did
those votes?
those
votes
>> Mhm.
>>
Mhm
>> Do you think he would abide by them?
>>
Do
you
think
he
would
abide
by
them
because it's very clear like for
because
it's
very
clear
like
for
instance in the Tik Tok situation uh
instance
in
the
Tik
Tok
situation
uh
Congress voted so that Tik Tok had to be
Congress
voted
so
that
Tik
Tok
had
to
be
uh shut down
uh
shut
down
>> and he or sold
>>
and
he
or
sold
>> and he just gave it to one of his
>>
and
he
just
gave
it
to
one
of
his
friends.
friends
>> Yes.
>>
Yes
>> So and he didn't sell it when he was
>>
So
and
he
didn't
sell
it
when
he
was
supposed to sell it. So I guess my
supposed
to
sell
it
So
I
guess
my
question is what mechanisms I'm trying
question
is
what
mechanisms
I'm
trying
to figure out what the mechanisms are
to
figure
out
what
the
mechanisms
are
anymore because in the old days it was
anymore
because
in
the
old
days
it
was
impeachment. That's clearly now a flawed
impeachment
That's
clearly
now
a
flawed
political process as well. What What are
political
process
as
well
What
What
are
the
the
>> It's certainly better if we have levers
>>
It's
certainly
better
if
we
have
levers
of power. Right now we don't.
of
power
Right
now
we
don't
>> Right.
>>
Right
>> And then the the other thing I think
>>
And
then
the
the
other
thing
I
think
that's unprecedented about the situation
that's
unprecedented
about
the
situation
we find ourselves in is the president of
we
find
ourselves
in
is
the
president
of
the United States is a convicted felon.
the
United
States
is
a
convicted
felon
>> 34 felonies,
>>
34
felonies
>> right?
>>
right
>> But they view that as an illegitimate
>>
But
they
view
that
as
an
illegitimate
process. That's part of the issue. He
process
That's
part
of
the
issue
He
was tried by a jury. It's not
was
tried
by
a
jury
It's
not
illegitimate.
illegitimate
>> Do you deal with him at all? Do you have
>>
Do
you
deal
with
him
at
all
Do
you
have
any any personal interaction with the
any
any
personal
interaction
with
the
president or with the people on his
president
or
with
the
people
on
his
staff or with uh even Thoon? Like do any
staff
or
with
uh
even
Thoon
Like
do
any
of them is there any communication?
of
them
is
there
any
communication
>> Well, he he he called for me to be
>>
Well
he
he
he
called
for
me
to
be
hanged. He did not invite me to play
hanged
He
did
not
invite
me
to
play
golf the next day.
golf
the
next
day
>> Yes.
>>
Yes
>> So the answer to I can't imagine.
>>
So
the
answer
to
I
can't
imagine
>> Yeah.
>>
Yeah
>> But that's what I mean. Is there does
>>
But
that's
what
I
mean
Is
there
does
sen does Senator Thun come up to you and
sen
does
Senator
Thun
come
up
to
you
and
say he knows you.
say
he
knows
you
>> He knows your heart. He knows the
>>
He
knows
your
heart
He
knows
the
service you've given to this country.
service
you've
given
to
this
country
No, not I mean usually I don't get into
No
not
I
mean
usually
I
don't
get
into
details about what John Thun did not say
details
about
what
John
Thun
did
not
say
that to me.
that
to
me
>> Did anyone I mean when when the
>>
Did
anyone
I
mean
when
when
the
president of the United States
president
of
the
United
States
>> Yes.
>>
Yes
>> threatens you specifically for doing
>>
threatens
you
specifically
for
doing
something you didn't do
something
you
didn't
do
>> right.
>>
right
>> Do any of them say, "Hey man, I know you
>>
Do
any
of
them
say
Hey
man
I
know
you
were uh in the Navy for 25 years. I know
were
uh
in
the
Navy
for
25
years
I
know
how much you've given to this country.
how
much
you've
given
to
this
country
Yes.
Yes
>> I'm so sorry. Let me see what I can do
>>
I'm
so
sorry
Let
me
see
what
I
can
do
to broker this." Well, some of them like
to
broker
this
Well
some
of
them
like
Lisa Marowsky as an example came out
Lisa
Marowsky
as
an
example
came
out
publicly very strongly. Just today, Tom
publicly
very
strongly
Just
today
Tom
Tillis,
Tillis
>> right?
>>
right
>> You know, basically said that letter,
>>
You
know
basically
said
that
letter
>> he said that's a bunch of
>>
he
said
that's
a
bunch
of
>> right?
>>
right
>> Just I'm paraphrasing, right,
>>
Just
I'm
paraphrasing
right
>> for Senator?
>>
for
Senator
>> Yeah. He said that's a bunch of
>>
Yeah
He
said
that's
a
bunch
of
And then I have I have other
And
then
I
have
I
have
other
folks that come up to me and say, hey,
folks
that
come
up
to
me
and
say
hey
yeah, this is really this is ridiculous.
yeah
this
is
really
this
is
ridiculous
And I would say to them, hey, are you
And
I
would
say
to
them
hey
are
you
gonna say something publicly? And
gonna
say
something
publicly
And
they'll say, well, this is a food fight.
they'll
say
well
this
is
a
food
fight
When it turns into a knife fight, I'll
When
it
turns
into
a
knife
fight
I'll
say something publicly.
say
something
publicly
>> So, I don't know if today's the
>>
So
I
don't
know
if
today's
the
>> knife fight than I want him hanged.
>>
knife
fight
than
I
want
him
hanged
Like, how much more knifey does it get?
Like
how
much
more
knifey
does
it
get
>> Yeah. Well, maybe this maybe this is it.
>>
Yeah
Well
maybe
this
maybe
this
is
it
I don't know. We'll we'll find out.
I
don't
know
We'll
we'll
find
out
>> So, what is the process now? What do you
>>
So
what
is
the
process
now
What
do
you
what what has to happen? You go through
what
what
has
to
happen
You
go
through
an appeals process.
an
appeals
process
>> Um there's a second part to this when
>>
Um
there's
a
second
part
to
this
when
they decide, you know, details about
they
decide
you
know
details
about
what they're going to do, how they're
what
they're
going
to
do
how
they're
going to demote me, and then there's an
going
to
demote
me
and
then
there's
an
appeals process. I guess I can, you
appeals
process
I
guess
I
can
you
know, file a federal lawsuit, but I I
know
file
a
federal
lawsuit
but
I
I
will do um everything that's appropriate
will
do
um
everything
that's
appropriate
in this circumstance to make sure that
in
this
circumstance
to
make
sure
that
they know that this is unacceptable,
they
know
that
this
is
unacceptable
that they cannot do this to people, but
that
they
cannot
do
this
to
people
but
also to make sure that the American
also
to
make
sure
that
the
American
people know that you you can't be
people
know
that
you
you
can't
be
stifling people's freedom of speech. We
stifling
people's
freedom
of
speech
We
have a right in our country to speak out
have
a
right
in
our
country
to
speak
out
about the government, to say things
about
the
government
to
say
things
about the president.
about
the
president
They can't take that away from us. You
They
can't
take
that
away
from
us
You
know what I just realized? Maybe the
know
what
I
just
realized
Maybe
the
better strategy would be don't be a
better
strategy
would
be
don't
be
a
senator to speak out. If you really want
senator
to
speak
out
If
you
really
want
freedom in this country, be a CEO of an
freedom
in
this
country
be
a
CEO
of
an
oil company or run an AI company because
oil
company
or
run
an
AI
company
because
they apparently have cart blanch to do
they
apparently
have
cart
blanch
to
do
whatever they want to do.
whatever
they
want
to
do
>> That's who he surrounds himself with,
>>
That's
who
he
surrounds
himself
with
>> right? You know, my my understanding
>>
right
You
know
my
my
understanding
he's got his cabinet members and he's
he's
got
his
cabinet
members
and
he's
got CEOs right around him and that is
got
CEOs
right
around
him
and
that
is
it. Well, we're living in the upside
it
Well
we're
living
in
the
upside
down when a person that has given his
down
when
a
person
that
has
given
his
entire life to public service in America
entire
life
to
public
service
in
America
at great cost not just to yourself but
at
great
cost
not
just
to
yourself
but
to your wife who is Representative Gabby
to
your
wife
who
is
Representative
Gabby
Gfords who's also here tonight
Gfords
who's
also
here
tonight
>> and and has uh uh given so much she'll
>>
and
and
has
uh
uh
given
so
much
she'll
take a take a shot there. There we go.
take
a
take
a
shot
there
There
we
go
Um
Um
yeah,
yeah
>> it's it's a remarkable thing that's
>>
it's
it's
a
remarkable
thing
that's
happened in this country where where
happened
in
this
country
where
where
your service has turned against you and
your
service
has
turned
against
you
and
the sacrifice that your family has gone
the
sacrifice
that
your
family
has
gone
through and the activism. It's it's
through
and
the
activism
It's
it's
really it's dispiriting,
really
it's
dispiriting
>> but
>>
but
>> it is. We're going to get through it,
>>
it
is
We're
going
to
get
through
it
though. Well, I know you will because
though
Well
I
know
you
will
because
we're gonna continue incredibly
we're
gonna
continue
incredibly
resilient and and the people support you
resilient
and
and
the
people
support
you
and uh we really appreciate you being
and
uh
we
really
appreciate
you
being
here on the program.
here
on
the
program
>> Thank you very much. See you tomorrow,
>>
Thank
you
very
much
See
you
tomorrow
Kelly.
Kelly
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