ICYMI Video: Blumenthal Calls Out Pattern of Abuse of Power from Trump Administration

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) spoke on the Senate Floor yesterday calling out the string of President Trump’s unprecedented actions and abuse of authority, specifically concerning Trump’s pardoning of violent January 6 insurrectionists and his unconstitutional freeze on federal aid. Blumenthal will continue calling out Trump’s actions tonight, speaking on the Senate Floor regarding the mass firings of Inspectors General and confusion stemming from the federal aid freeze.

Pardoning of January 6 Insurrectionists

Yesterday on the Senate Floor, Blumenthal highlighted Trump’s abuse of the presidential pardon power in his issuance of mass pardons and commutations for participants in the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021—including those who violently attacked and assaulted law enforcement officers.

“These sickening pardons are the ultimate show of disrespect for our police officers and a clear endorsement of political violence. His [Trump’s] actions normalize political violence. They condone it,” said Blumenthal. “These pardons are a betrayal not only of these officers—the Capitol police on that day who defended and protected us and who literally were going to lay down their lives for our democracy—these abusive pardons show that it is past time for Congress to enact reform and implement restraints on the pardon power. America elects presidents, not kings with unfettered power.”

Blumenthal recounted the experiences of Capitol police officers on January 6 and called on his Republican colleagues to join him in condemning the violence of that day.

“The mob violently attacked those police officers, punching them, kicking them, choking them, pepper spraying them, plunging stun guns into their necks, beating them with all kinds of weapons, including flag poles, hockey sticks, as well as those baseball bats. Many of us have heard Capitol police officers recount their feelings on that day—terror, fear, guilt. They thought they would die,” said Blumenthal. “I urge my Republican colleagues who were protected on that awesomely terrible day and who now are silent—they are silent in the face of these sickening pardons—to join us. Come with us in condemning the violence that occurred and stand with the officers, the police, the law enforcement—stand with the blue and condemn the violence of that day. Stand with the officers who put their lives on the line and who suffered injury, maiming, and some deaths in the aftermath.”

Video of Blumenthal speaking on the pardoning of January 6 insurrectionists can be found here.

Freezing Federal Aid

Blumenthal criticized Trump’s decision to freeze all federal grants, including those already approved by Congress and signed into law, and highlighted the unconstitutional nature of that decision.

“We're here because the Trump administration last night swept the country into chaos. We're here because it's a break-the-glass moment for our democracy, the unconstitutional and unilateral decision to halt congressionally mandated funding is against the law. It's against the constitution. This action is totally unprecedented on this scale and scope,” said Blumenthal. “Let's call it for what it is—it's theft. President Trump is stealing money from people's pockets and pocketbooks and wallets, threatening their ability to pay rent, heat homes. It is imperiling programs around my state and the country that provide shelter for homeless, suicide prevention for veterans, health care for people who are uninsured. The list is endless. That's not hyperbole.”

Video of Blumenthal speaking on the federal funding freeze can be found here.

Call of Action to the American People

Blumenthal continued speaking on the Senate floor, issuing a call to action to the American people.

“My hope is the American public will rise up. They need to be the voice of conscience and conviction in this country and say to my Republican colleagues, this isn't a red or blue issue. This is about people. It is about everyday Americans who will be severely harmed, and their children who will bear perhaps, unfortunately and tragically, lasting scars, emotionally and maybe physically from this destructive impact on their lives,” continued Blumenthal. “I'm proud to be with my colleagues. I wish we were joined on the other side of the aisle. But I believe that they will hear on the Republican side, despite their silence tonight, voices that are loud and clear to them from the American people that this kind of halt, a dictatorial, illegal stop in federal funding, should violate the conscience of our nation.”

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