The following is what is becoming standard operating procedure for high-ranking Trump officials, whether it is when dealing with the press or in congressional hearings: beligeretn deflection and non-answers.
One can see similar behavior from the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
(Spoiler: contra the Tweet, RFK did not DEMOLISH anyone, but the point is the clip, not the Tweet.)
Part of all of this is just what incompetent people do when cornered. But I would submit that it is also more than just demonstrating rudeness, if not contempt, for those asking the questions; it is contempt for all of us. The press exists to inform the public; congressional hearings exist to inform the public.
I understand that not all journalist’s questions are perfect and that members of Congress are often trying to score points. Further, the occasional deflection or fit of pique by public servants is par for the course. But the reality is, this administration practices this kind of behavior constantly.
When the FBI Director and cabinet officials have no respect for the public they serve, they see no reason to give an account for their behavior. They don’t have to answer to us, you see. They just have to make sure the boss is happy and that they get to enjoy their sinecures as long as they can. It is behavior that is antithetical to notions of democratic governance and cleaves to a combination of kleptocracy and personalistic oligarchy.
Back to Patel: the notion that polling the audience is a way to answer a reporter’s question is childish. Worse, he denies facts that are in the lawsuit he filed.
If you want to be further enraged and depressed about the state of the FBI, listen to Tuesday’s episode of The Daily.
