BEN RAY LUJÁN ERUPTS: “THIS IS LAWLESS!”

For months, Republicans have claimed that nobody is above the law.But when Senator Ben Ray Lujan confronted Treasury Secretary Scott Besant over what he called a shocking IRS settlement tied to Donald Trump, that principle suddenly seemed a lot harder to find.What followed was one of the most explosive exchanges of the hearing.

Thank you, Senator Lujan.Thank you, Mr. Chairman.Secretary Besant, should Americans who illegally evade their taxes be investigated and prosecuted?Yes.Secretary Best, should people and organizations facilitating money laundering for Iran, North Korea, or Hamas be prosecuted?Yes.

What about laundering money for Mexican drug cartels?Yes.Should a person who traded and profited on insider information be prosecuted?Yes.According to the law they should appreciate that.Mr. Secretary as a result of President Trump's 10 billion dollar lawsuit the Department of Justice on behalf of your department settled with President Trump by creating a 1 .776 billion slush fund to pay for his supporters and criminals Were you either directly or through your staff asked to sign the original agreement?

Again, Senator, you were not here at the early part of the meeting.I saw you on TV.Well, congratulations, and you would know that I'm unable to answer those questions, and they should be referred to Attorney General Blanch.Mr. Secretary, what about the addendum to this agreement?Are you familiar with what the addendum is?I'm not sure what you're referring to.

Are you familiar with this giveaway from the IRS that says President Trump and anyone that knows him or does business with him or part of a business, they get off scot -free?Are you aware of this?

Again, I refer you to Attorney General Blanche.Are you Attorney General Blanche's client?The IRS and Treasury are a client of the Department of Justice.So is that a no?of saying yes?

You're a client, he's your lawyer.He represents...You're the Secretary, are you the Secretary of Treasury?Yes is the answer.Department of Justice...Scott Desant, let me ask you this question, sir.

Are you the Secretary...

In my personal capacity, Tom Blanch is not my attorney.Correct, sir.

Are you...Sir, for the U .S.Treasury...Mr. Secretary, Scott, let me ask you it this way.Scott, are you the Secretary of Treasury for the United States government?

Yes.Appreciate that.The Department of Justice represents the IRS and the Department of Treasury in this lawsuit, correct?Correct.Are you aware of this addendum?You're telling me DOJ gave the president this without you knowing about it?

Again, they settled on our behalf.

That's not how the law works, sir.

I'm not a lawyer, but you have a bunch of them behind you.

You should see the faces they're making at me behind you.They're all scowling at me back over here.Well, I think that's a different reason, sir.