Trump cabinet picks Pam Bondi, Marco Rubio and others faced a full day of questions from senators

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Trump’s attorney general nominee, Pam Bondi, said Wednesday that she “looks forward” to hearing FBI nominee Kash Patel’s remarks on QAnon before the committee — a sign of the tense hearing at which Patel himself is likely to face charges later this month.

QAnon, a conspiracy group that has sought to advance claims of an anti-Trump “deep state” linked to Satanism and pedophilia, has been linked to a series of individual criminal actions, including the “Pizzagate” shootings. » in 2016 in the Washington DC area. pizzeria Comet Ping Pong, considered a predecessor of the movement.

The exchange came after the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., noted that Patel “has said and done some things that are impossible to understand and justify,” particularly highlighting his remarks on QAnon. .

QAnon’s “fundamental belief is that a cabal of satanic, cannibalistic child molesters is embedded within our government and is conspiring against President-elect Trump,” Durbin explained, noting: “They interviewed Mr. Patel at this subject and he said, I quote: “I agree”. with a lot of what the movement says, “end quote.”

“Does this sound like good preparation for running the FBI?” he said of Patel’s remarks.

“Senator, I don’t know anything about” that, Bondi said, noting that they will have to ask Patel about the comments.

“We will,” Durbin said, adding that until Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee get answers to those questions, “I don’t know many people on this side of the table (who) will will give unequivocal support.”

The QAnon remarks, coupled with a so-called “enemies list” that also came under scrutiny Wednesday, are “what you expect from the Stasi,” Durbin said. “This is what we expect from the secret police. This is not what we expect from justice in America, as you even described today around the table.”

“So I would say that this unequivocal support of Mr. Patel should at least be reserved until he explains some of the outrageous positions that he has taken,” Durbin said.

“I look forward to hearing his testimony on QAnon before this committee,” Bondi responded.

Later during the hearing, Bondi stressed the importance of a free press, emphasizing that journalists should be free to do their jobs, adding more light between her and Patel, who had previously vowed to take to journalists before later returning to his remarks.

Asked by Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., whether she would oppose Patel as FBI director if he tried to go after the media, Bondi said the two had not directly discussed the question, but emphasized that “attack the media”. the media just because they are media are wrong – of course.

As for whether she respects the importance of a free press, Bondi replied: “Absolutely.”

Written by Breanne Deppisch