Pam Bondi grilled about Trump’s 2020 election results during Senate confirmation hearing

On By Littum

Late. James Risch, R-Idaho, gave Marco Rubio’s confirmation hearing to be Secretary of State at 10:05. Risch, nodding to his long history of working with Rubio on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which he now chairs, and the Intelligence Committee, calls Rubio a “good friend” and says Trump has made an “excellent choice.”

“During that period, I have come to respect his clear eyes on America’s foreign policy interests and his deeply rooted conservative values,” Risch said. “We need a principled, action-oriented chief diplomat like Marco.”

Risch, who pointed out that America faces pressing foreign policy concerns with China, Russia, North Korea and Iran, then criticized the outgoing Biden administration for its handling of the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal and other foreign conflicts, saying the administration ” have often made ill-informed decisions that have empowered these opponents.”

“Failure to deter Russian aggression, constant concessions to China and undermining of support for Israel – our allies question America’s resolve and our adversaries believe they have a free hand. Those days are over,” Risch said, stressing his support for Rubio.

Risch then turned his attention to China, saying it “remains the most significant long-term risk to the United States. China is no longer content to undermine the United States alone. Now it is helping Russia, Iran and North Korea.”

Rubio, Risch said, was a strong advocate of tougher policies to counter China’s aggression.

Regarding the war between Ukraine and Russia, Risch said, “we need to help Ukraine end this war quickly and permanently,” and said he is confident that Trump, along with Rubio, can “help ensure that that it be done in a way that guarantees security and stability for the United States and our allies and prevents Russia from starting another war.”

Risch also mentioned scrutinizing US foreign aid, reforming the State Department and making the country competitive in the nuclear arms race.

“Sen. Rubio, this is a long laundry list of crises. You have earned one of the toughest jobs out there, but after serving with you for so many years, I am convinced that you are the one we must take on the threats we face,” Risch concluded.