Mini-Post: The Quality Of His Picks

I ran a department with at its peak had 24 employees. And when I hired some my choice reflected on me, the quality of the people I chose reflected back upon me.

Well what do you think of the quality of the people Trump picked... was it more for their ideology or their ability?

From Sen. Patty Murray office...

Senator Murray began her questioning by pressing Director Patel on where the FBI’s statutorily-required spend plan and its full FY26 budget is.

“As Ranking Member Van Hollen noted earlier, this hearing is being held without the FBI’s fiscal year 2025 spend plan and a full budget request for fiscal year 2026. The spend plan, is required by law, it was due to Congress over a week ago, we have not yet seen it. That is really absurd. The FBI is our nation’s leading law enforcement agency, with a budget of $10.7 billion dollars—and it is critical that we understand how you are spending taxpayer dollars. So, Director Patel, when should we expect the FY25 spend plan for the FBI? Have you seen it, have you reviewed it, when will we get it?”

“I will get you an answer ma’am. I don’t have a timeline on that,” replied Director Patel.

Senator Murray noted, “It was due last week, by law.”

“I understand,” said Director Patel.

Senator Murray asked for clarification, “And your answer is you just understand, you’re not going to follow the law?”

Director Patel dodged, stating: “My answer is that I am following the law, and I’m working with my interagency partners to do this and get you the budget that you are required to have.”

“And you have no timeline?” Senator Murray inquired.

“No,” stated Director Patel.

Senator Murray then asked Patel about when the full FY26 FBI budget will arrive, stating: “Well we also need a full budget request—not a single paragraph full of wild talking points that we saw with the ‘skinny’ budget proposal. We’re now having a budget hearing without a budget request. So, Director Patel, where is the FY 2026 budget request for the FBI?”

“It’s being worked on ma’am,” said Director Patel.

“Have you reviewed it? Have you approved it?” Senator Murray continued to press.

Director Patel responded, “Not yet.”

Senator Murray asked for more details, “When will you get it?”

“As soon as I can get it from my interagency partners and get it approved,” Director Patel replied.

“Six months from now?” Senator Murray pressed.

Director Patel continued to provide no details, stating: “I don’t know ma’am. I’m not going to make up a timeline.”

Senator Murray pushed back, “Well, how do we as a Congress do our budget and our work without that request and without the spend plan?”

Director Patel demurred, stating, in part: “I’m doing the best I can.”

Senator Murray emphasized, “That is insufficient and deeply disturbing. No response?”

Director Patel stated, “I have given my response.”

Here is the video of that hearing...

We have the best cronies money can buy!