Bessent's witty remark about Illinois exodus leaves Chicago-area lawmaker fuming on camerap

If there’s one thing congressional Democrats love more than lecturing Americans about economics, it’s yelling at Republicans who actually know something about economics.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent found himself on the receiving end of one of Capitol Hill’s trademark Democrat meltdowns this week during a House Ways and Means Committee hearing, when Rep. Brad Schneider of Illinois decided that volume was a substitute for intelligence.

Schneider joined the usual parade of Democrats trying to pin every fluctuation in grocery prices on President Donald Trump, tariffs, Iran, capitalism, weather patterns, and probably Jupiter being in retrograde. Bessent, meanwhile, kept calmly reminding everyone that inflation during the Biden years looked like a Black Friday riot at the Federal Reserve.

Things got spicy after Schneider attempted to corner Bessent over comments regarding the Iran conflict. Schneider dramatically asked whether Bessent wanted to "correct the record" about the conflict being "ended," before rattling off a list of concerns about Iran threatening Israel and U.S. allies.

Bessent, clearly enjoying himself, smiled and asked whether Schneider was suddenly "in agreement" with Trump since the congressman had just repeated the administration’s goals out loud without spontaneously combusting.

"Unless an American life is lost, he does not believe that he will have to restart the kinetic attacks," Bessent replied.

That answer did not soothe Schneider, who immediately shifted into the familiar Democrat setting of Angry Cable News Panelist. As the congressman grew more agitated, he tried tying rising commodity prices to the Iran conflict while blaming Trump and Bessent for everything short of the Cubs bullpen.

Bessent responded with the sort of thing Democrats hate most, actual numbers.

The treasury secretary pointed out that core inflation currently sits at 2.8%, close to the Federal Reserve’s target, before dryly noting that Schneider seemed determined to recite a grocery list of the most expensive items he could find.

"you can list off the most expensive groceries that have had the biggest price increases," Bessent quipped.

Naturally, Schneider accused Bessent of being out of touch, because modern Democrats believe anyone who disagrees with them must either be evil or shopping at the wrong supermarket.

That’s when Bessent delivered the line that probably caused half the Illinois delegation to start stress-eating deep dish pizza.

"Well, you Democrats should know, no wonder so many people are leaving Illinois. Why don't you come see me in South Carolina?"

Ouch.

Schneider, apparently unaware that U-Haul statistics exist, angrily insisted people are not fleeing Illinois.

Bessent couldn’t resist twisting the knife.

"You're saying Illinois doesn't have net outbound migration?"

At that point, somebody in the room probably should’ve checked Schneider’s blood pressure.

The congressman then abruptly changed subjects to Trump’s settlement with the IRS over former contractor Charles Littlejohn leaking tax returns, because nothing says “I’m winning this argument” like bailing out entirely.

Schneider huffed that nobody, including Trump, is "above the law."

Bessent calmly fired back that Trump is not "beneath the law" either, while accusing Democrats of "weaponizing the system."

Schneider then solemnly declared, "His taxes should never be leaked. No taxpayer information should be leaked…"

That setup was just too easy.

"Then, congressman, would you like to apologize to the president right now on behalf [of your party]?"

Somewhere deep in the bowels of Congress, a Democrat communications staffer immediately updated their résumé.

Sex!  Now that I have your attention, I want to say thank you for following Brain Flushings. Please take time to simply check out the sponsors on this page--it's one way to support my work and you don't need to purchase anything to do so. Of course, you can Buy Me A Coffee if you want to support me directly. And finally, don't be afraid to subscribe if you enjoy the blog--it's free, and worth the cost.

Tweet

Biden nominee who leaked Trump's IRS tax return gets sentenced

A former IRS contractor and devout Democrat, Charles Edward Littlejohn, 38, a guy who leaked former President Donald Trump's tax returns, was sentenced to five years in prison this week, and is hoping to meet fellow Trump-haters in the mess hall.

Littlejohn [aka Tiny Toilet] was a contractor with the IRS from 2018 to 2020. He pleaded guilty last October to unauthorized disclosure of tax returns and return information, in spite of his belief that he was doing a patriotic operation.

When and if former President Trump wins a second term, it is highly unlikely that he will pardon the Democratic operative.

As a government contractor, Littlejohn “stole” Trump’s tax return information, the DOJ said on Monday, adding that he took steps to conceal his activities so he wouldn’t get caught. He also stole the tax return information of thousands of America’s wealthiest individuals, including figures like Jeff Bezos.

Judge Ana Reyes, a Biden nominee, imposed the maximum sentence on Littlejohn in federal court and compared him to those who participated in the January 6, 2021, so called riot at the U.S. Capitol, which is patently ridiculous. It's like comparing apples to blowfish. Reyes said the leak was "an intolerable attack on our constitutional democracy." The sentence also includes 3 years supervised release and a $5,000 fine.

“When you target the sitting president of the United States, you’re targeting the office and when you’re targeting the office of the president of the United States, you’re targeting democracy — you’re targeting our constitutional system of government,” she said, adding: “It cannot be open season on our elected officials — it just can’t.”

Acting Inspector General Heather Hill of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) said that the sentence should “serve as a warning to anyone who is considering emulating Mr. Littlejohn’s actions.”

“TIGTA relentlessly investigates individuals who illicitly access and disclose taxpayer information, regardless of their personal motivation,” Hill added. “TIGTA appreciates the commitment of the Criminal Division’s Public Integrity Section and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in ensuring those who abuse their positions of public trust are held accountable for their actions.”

Federal prosecutors said Littlejohn sought his job as an IRS consultant specifically for the purpose of leaking Trump's returns in 2019. Littlejohn had done work for Booz Allen from 2008 to 2013, but he returned to the company as an IRS consultant in 2017. Prosecutors say the career move was meant to grant him access to private tax information that would allow him to leak Trump's tax returns. The DOJ says Littlejohn considered Trump to be a threat to democracy when, in fact, it is assholes like him who are the real threat.

When Biden loses the election this year, don't be surprised if he pardons this scumcrumpet.

Tweet