(DCNF)—President Donald Trump’s FBI Director appointee, Kash Patel, flipped the script on Democratic Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin Thursday as he called out former President Joe Biden’s pardoning of his family members and violent criminals.
Trump signed an executive order on Jan. 20 to pardon and commute the sentences of approximately 1,500 defendants charged for their actions at the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. At Patel’s confirmation hearing, Durbin asked the nominee whether he opposed the blanket pardons for the defendants after pointing to an egregious example of one of the individual’s violent actions after being released from prison.
“Was President Donald Trump wrong to give blanket clemency to the January 6 defendants?” Durbin asked.
“Thank you ranking member, a couple of things on that,” Patel said. “One, the power of the presidential pardon is just that, the president … as we discussed in our private meeting senator, I have always rejected any violence against law enforcement and including in that group, [I have] specifically addressed any violence against law enforcement on January 6 and I do not agree with the commutation of any sentence of any individual who committed violence against law enforcement.”
Durbin then asked the nominee if he believes the U.S. is “safer” as a result of the commutations, leading Patel to point to Biden’s last-minute commutation of Native American activist Leonard Peltier who served a life sentence for the deaths of two FBI agents in June 1975. The now-former president commuted the sentences of 2,500 individuals, including two who were convicted of killing a police officer, on the Friday before he left office.
“Senator, I have not looked at all 1,600 cases, I have always advocated for imprisoning those who cause harm to our law enforcement and civilian communities. I also believe America is not safer because [of] President Biden’s commutation of a man who murdered two FBI agents. Agent Coler’s and Agent William’s family deserve better than to have the man who at point-blank range, fired a shotgun into their heads and murdered them released from prison. So it goes both ways,” Patel said.
Durbin attempted to defend Biden’s commutations by arguing that Peltier is an elderly man who is in home confinement. When he continued to press Patel on the pardoned defendants, the FBI nominee said the nation will be safe once the number of homicides and drug overdoses is reduced across the U.S.
Biden pardoned his son, Hunter, in December of any crimes potentially committed between Jan. 1, 2014 and Dec. 1, 2024, and issued preemptive pardons for five of his family members minutes before he exited office. Durbin criticized the former president for issuing the last-minute pardons for his family during a Jan. 21 appearance on CNN.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
It’s becoming increasingly clear that fiat currencies across the globe, including the U.S. Dollar, are under attack. Paper money is losing its value, translating into insane inflation and less value in our life’s savings.
Genesis Gold Group believes physical precious metals are an amazing option for those seeking to move their wealth or retirement to higher ground. Whether Central Bank Digital Currencies replace current fiat currencies or not, precious metals are poised to retain or even increase in value. This is why central banks and mega-asset managers like BlackRock are moving much of their holdings to precious metals.
As a Christian company, Genesis Gold Group has maintained a perfect 5 out of 5 rating with the Better Business Bureau. Their faith-driven values allow them to help Americans protect their life’s savings without the gimmicks used by most precious metals companies. Reach out to them today to see how they can streamline the rollover or transfer of your current and previous retirement accounts.
Kamala Harris Says the American Dream Is “Gone”
by Modernity News
During a pre recorded interview, Kamala Harris once again failed to deliver any substantive outline of her policies, primarily attacking Donald Trump’s outlook and his first term in office. At one point when speaking about the economy, Harris appeared to suggest, in stark contrast to Trump, that the American Dream…
Gold Price Forecasts Skyrocket Following Moves by China and the Fed
by Sponsored Post
With the Federal Reserve beginning what most expect to be a sustained easing cycle, momentum continues to rise for gold and silver. Values have been steadily rising and the newest forecasts point to even more gains down the road. At the end of September, BMO Capital Markets published updated commodity…
Taxes and Tariffs and Trade: Oh My! Trump’s Plan to Bolster the Economy
by Just The News
In a bid to build a broader coalition, former President Donald Trump has outlined a vision of tax cuts, import tariffs, and “reciprocal trade” to preserve and restore American industries. Since coming down the escalator of Trump Tower in 2015, the Republican standard bearer has espoused unconventional trade policies and…
Expert Testimony: Mass Immigration Under Biden-Harris Is Driving Up Rents for Americans
by Breitbart
The arrival of millions of foreign nationals, many of whom are illegal aliens, under President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris is helping to drive up rents for working- and middle-class Americans, an expert witness told Congress Wednesday. Center for Immigration Studies Director of Research Steven Camarota told the…
This Year Marks First Since 1958 That Us Held No Oil and Gas Lease Sales
by Just The News
This year will be the first year since 1958 that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management held no offshore oil and gas lease sales. Energy expert Alex Epstein, author of “Fossil Future,” argued at a recent House Budget Committee hearing the United States’ record-high oil production is in spite of…
Kamala’s Devastating Middle Class Taxes
by Independent Sentinel
With the election coming up, the IRS plans to reduce our taxes for 2025. it’s a common tactic to make it seem like they won’t tax us into oblivion once they return to office. CBS News: Some Americans could see lower federal income taxes in 2025 due to an annual…
Congress Passes Stop-Gap Spending Bill After Failed Mike Johnson Gambit
by Breitbart
Congress on Wednesday passed legislation that would fund the government through nearly the end of December. The House and the Senate passed a stop-gap spending bill that would push the government spending deadline to December 20. The measure, otherwise known as a continuing resolution (CR), keeps federal spending the same….
A ‘Bipartisan’ Bar Tried to Open in DC, Then Libs Cried That an Elephant Image Was ‘Hurtful.’
by The National Pulse
A new bar in Washington, D.C., whose political theme focused on bipartisan agreement and debate, succumbed to partisan pressure before the establishment could even serve its first drink. Originally billed as Political Pattie’s, the bar was flooded with complaints by liberals who said the establishment’s logo—specifically the Republican Elephant—was offensive…
Newsom Signs Bill Requiring Janitors to Take $200 Sexual Harassment Training
by Just The News
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill requiring companies that hire janitors to make sure janitors take sexual assault training every other year, and pay $200 per participant for sessions with under 10 janitors present, and $8 for sessions with 10 or more janitors. The bill also requires the government…
Biden-Harris Regime Prepares Another $8 Billion in Military Aid for Ukraine During Zelensky’s Washington Visit
by The Gateway Pundit
The Biden-Harris regime is once again prioritizing foreign interests over the well-being of American citizens, with plans to announce an eye-watering $8 billion in military aid for Ukraine during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to Washington. This massive giveaway comes as Americans continue to face economic hardships, skyrocketing inflation, and…
‘Economic Dystopia:’ Silicon Valley Tycoon Predicts AI Will Take Over 80% of All Work
by Breitbart
Vinod Khosla, legendary Silicon Valley investor and entrepreneur, has predicted that AI will replace the majority of work in most jobs, necessitating the implementation of universal basic income (UBI) to prevent economic instability and inequity. Fortune reports that in a recent blog post, Vinod Khosla, the billionaire co-founder of Sun…
