Lawfare No Bull

On March 18, the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence held an open hearing entitled “Worldwide Threats,” which featured testimony from National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, FBI Director Kash Patel, Acting National Security Director and Commander of U.S. Cyber Command William Hartman, and Defense Intelligence Agency Director James Adams. The committee questioned the intelligence community leaders on the ongoing war in Iran, the Russia-Ukraine War, the cyberthreats posed by China and Russia, foreign threats to U.S. elections, and more.

On January 22nd, former special counsel Jack Smith testified before the House Judiciary Committee in a hearing entitled, “Oversight of the Office of Special Counsel Jack Smith.” Over four and a half hours, the committee questioned Smith about the indictments previously brought against President Trump, Smith’s investigation into the January 6th riot at the Capitol, the decision to subpoena congressional phone records, the classified documents case, and more.

On October 7th, Attorney General Pam Bondi testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee at a hearing entitled “Oversight of the Department of Justice.” The committee questioned Bondi about politicized personnel decisions at the Justice Department, the deployment of the National Guard to states, anti-corruption enforcement, border czar Tom Homan’s alleged acceptance of $50,000 during an FBI sting, and more.

On September 17, FBI Director Kash Patel testified before the House Judiciary Committee in an annual hearing entitled “Oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.” The committee questioned Patel about the firing of FBI agents involved in investigating President Trump, the Jeffrey Epstein case, the investigation into the murder of Charlie Kirk, and more.

On September 16, FBI Director Kash Patel testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee in an annual hearing entitled “Oversight of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.” The committee questioned Patel about the firing of FBI agents involved in investigating President Trump, the Jeffrey Epstein case, the investigation into the murder of Charlie Kirk, and more.

Today on Lawfare No Bull: On June 10, the House Appropriations Subcommittee held an oversight hearing for the Department of Defense. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine, and Bryn MacDonnell, Special Assistant Performing the Duties of the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller)/Chief Financial Officer, testified before the committee. Members of the committee questioned the witnesses about the delay in receiving the Department’s FY2026 budget, investments in submarines, the cost of deploying troops to Los Angeles, cuts to personnel and programs, and more.

Today on Lawfare No Bull: On March 26, the House Intelligence Committee held the annual Worldwide Threats hearing based on the Annual Threat Assessment of the United States Intelligence Community. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Central Intelligence Agency Director John Ratcliffe, Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Kash Patel, National Security Agency and Central Security Service Director Timothy Haugh, and Defense Intelligence Agency Director Jeffrey Kruse testified before the committee. Members of the intelligence committee questioned the witnesses about their participation in a Signal group chat that discussed plans to conduct strikes in Yemen, threats posed by Russia and China, the intelligence community’s assessment of emerging threats, and more.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.

Today on Lawfare No Bull: On March 25, the Senate Intelligence Committee held the annual Worldwide Threats hearing based on the Annual Threat Assessment of the United States Intelligence Community. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Central Intelligence Agency Director John Ratcliffe, Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Kash Patel, National Security Agency and Central Security Service Director Timothy Haugh, and Defense Intelligence Agency Director Jeffrey Kruse testified before the committee. Members of the intelligence committee questioned the witnesses about their participation in a Signal group chat that discussed plans to conduct strikes in Yemen, threats posed by Russia and China, the intelligence community’s assessment of emerging threats, and more.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.