1. United States
2. Maine
3. Letter

Pam Bondi's refusal to answer any questions yesterday in a senate judiciary oversight meeting was a shocking repudiation of fundamental constitutional principles. It showed contempt for the separation of powers, contempt for the truth and contempt for the senate's constitutionally enshrined role and duty of oversight. Let me remind you of Senator Grassley's explanation of oversight to a gathering at the Heritage Foundation in 2018, "That's what oversight is all about - keeping faith. Keeping faith with the taxpayers. Keeping faith with 'We the People.' It means working as hard as you can to give the people confidence that their government either plays by the rules or is held accountable." Grassley continued: "The constitution establishes a separation of governmental powers into three branches, over which the people are sovereign. To ensure that authority remains with the people, the constitution also diffuses power between and among the branches. We call that 'checks and balances.' This structure wasn't by mistake. Madison and the other framers had a long history with unchecked ambition and undivided authority. They knew the natural tendency of those who had power to seek more..." Every senator swears a solemn oath to the constitution. I ask you to use every tool at your disposal to hold Bondi accountable including censure and contempt resolutions. I call on you to defend the constitution by now conducting separate investigations into the American Express GBT dropped lawsuit that Senator Blumenthak asked about as well as the question of Tom Homan and the 50,000 dollars. Yes: oversight is keeping the trust. It's a foundation for legitimacy and consent. Bindi's lack of decorum, personal insults and failure to answer ANY question are an attack on the role of the senate and the underlying principles of our democracy. There MUST be consequences for Bondi: censure, contempt, impeachment, and additional hearings on the issues that suggest corruption. If the senate fails to act it is negating its constitutional role and duty and enabling the DOJ to become an unaccountable instrument of injustice and corruption. Please, do not permit that. You serve We the People and you are a check on executive power. Please reply to let me know what actions you will take.