Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) recently called out Attorney General Merrick Garland on several different topics during a recent senate hearing. Kennedy pressed Garland on issues such as gun control, holding Mexico accountable for the fentanyl crisis, and legal proceedings against Hunter Biden.
Introducing the topic of gun control, Kennedy asked. “You have been been very outspoken about the need for more gun control. With respect and if you don’t mind me asking Do you own a gun?” Garland responded, “I don’t.” The Louisiana senator followed up his initial question, “Have you ever fired a gun?” The attorney general replied, “Many times.”
Continuing his line of questioning, Kennedy asked, “Do you have 24-hour security?” Garland confirmed that he did have a constant security detail. Kennedy’s motivation behind these questions likely stems from conservative criticisms of liberal proponents of gun control that they are entirely unfamiliar with firearms. Furthermore, many Democratic anti-gun politicians have the privilege of security teams, removing the need to defend themselves.
Kennedy also brought up the fentanyl crisis, where much of the substance is flowing into the U.S. from the southern border with Mexico. The Republican senator asked Garland if the Biden administration was taking measures to hold Mexico’s President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
After Kennedy suggested that the Mexcian president could be compromised by the power of the drug cartels, Garland stated, “The Department has said that we do not have an investigation of the President of Mexico.” Kennedy hit back, “Do you think the President of Mexico is our friend?”
“We need cooperation from Mexico. Mexico has been somewhat cooperative with respect our fight against the cartels, not as helpful as I wish they were. But without their cooperation, we can’t be successful and describe,” the attorney general answered.
Kennedy posed a hypothetical scenario in which Joe Biden could approach Lopez Obrador and demand action against the cartels at the risk of tariffs being imposed on the country. “Why wouldn’t why wouldn’t the President go to President Lopez Obrador and say No offense, but the fentanyl problem is killing Americans. The illegal immigration problem is hurting Americans. If you don’t cooperate with us, and he clearly hasn’t been and he’s not afraid, afraid of us. We’re going to implement tariffs on Mexico until you do,” Kennedy suggested.
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The GOP senator then pivoted toward Hunter Biden, pointing that he evaded paying a significant amount of taxes over the past decade. “Mr. Hunter Biden, did not pay taxes on $1 million in 2014 and 2015. And he deducted payments from his income tax for personal expenses,” he said, before detailing Hunter’s alleged questionable expenditures.
Kennedy emphasized that the president’s son must be brought to justice for his actions, stating, “We can’t. Mr. Hunter Biden walks free. We’re not paying taxes on a million bucks from 2014 and 15. Because of the Department of Justice, let it happen, right.”
“Again, I’m not going to comment on decisions made in a pending investigation. In the end, Mr. Weiss will issue a report I will provide the report to Congress who will be able to question Mr. Weiss as to his reasoning, and he will be able to defend his reasoning,” Garland maintained.
Note: The featured image is a screenshot from the embedded video.