A CNBC exchange this week has drawn attention after host Joe Kernen challenged Democratic Rep. Pete Aguilar (CA-33) on claims that Republicans turned the Justice Department into a political weapon.
Aguilar appeared on Squawk Box with Andrew Ross Sorkin and Kernen, defending Democrats’ recent warnings directed at Trump administration officials. Those warnings have included remarks from Democrat Rep. Robert Garcia (CA-42), the likely incoming chair of the House Oversight Committee, who told new White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller he should “lawyer up.” That comment prompted a sharp response from Attorney General Todd Blanche, who said he would serve as Miller’s lawyer, noting the Department of Justice traditionally defends administration officials acting in their official capacity.
During the CNBC segment, Sorkin noted that the DOJ has historically defended White House officials under administrations of both parties. Kernen then pressed Aguilar directly on his characterization of DOJ politicization.
“Congressman, if we lived in a perfect world, I’d be nodding. But do I need to mention Merrick Garland? Do I need to mention Eric Holder? Janet Reno? Loretta Lynch, who was on the plane with Bill Clinton? I mean, come on. I love you, congressman. But you delivered that with a straight face, which is what I liked.”
Aguilar responded by dismissing the reference to the Lynch-Clinton tarmac meeting as a “12 year old conspiracy theory about planes,” and attempted to redirect the conversation toward the cost of living.
“If you want to talk about 12 year old conspiracy theories about planes, that’s fine. Joe, the American people are getting crushed with costs.”
Kernen continued pressing the point, adding: “Eric Holder was Obama’s wingman.”
The exchange comes amid broader tension between congressional Democrats and the administration over accountability efforts targeting officials and allies, including Elon Musk. Critics of the Democrats’ approach argue that threats against administration figures are being framed as legitimate oversight, while any pushback from the DOJ or White House is labeled weaponization.
Interesting that Democrats want to spend the next two years destroying Trump, not governing. Is that what the people of America want? Childish retribution, not government?