Republican Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida joins to discuss Rep. Mike Lawler confronting Democratic House minority leader Hakeim Jeffries, the case against former FBI Director James Comey, and more.

Washington

In a recent interview, Rep. Byron Donalds criticized Democratic lawmakers for what he described as reckless government spending and for maintaining the Affordable Care Act, which he argued has led to higher premiums and deductibles. Donalds claimed Democrats use policy as a political tool rather than to benefit the public, and he praised his colleague Mike Lawler for his stance on these issues.

Donalds also addressed the indictment of former FBI Director James Comey, stating that nobody is above the law and supporting the prosecution for alleged false statements to Congress. He further commented on reported progress in negotiations to release hostages in the Middle East, attributing diplomatic efforts to former President Donald Trump and expressing hope for lasting peace in the region.

Rep. Donalds discusses Jeffries, Comey, more

What did you make of that exchange? And I think Lawler was a clear winner, and the other guy got nasty and personal. And more importantly, where are we on the shutdown? How you doing? Well, first I'll tell you, good job by Mike Lawler, my colleague out of New York, for stating the facts. The fact of the matter is they're holding the government hostage to spend another $1.5 trillion in reckless spending on top of trying to keep alive Obamacare, which has been the worst healthcare policy the nation's ever seen. Deductibles have gone through the roof since it was passed. Premiums through the roof since it was passed. It's not affordable. And so Democrats wanna try to lecture everybody on standing for the American people. Two things that need to be said very clearly. Number one, the Democrats know that the Affordable Care Act is an oxymoron. It is not affordable health insurance. But number two, when they had full control over Washington, D.C., they could have made these premium tax credits permanent. They chose not to, and the reason they chose not to was to have a weapon that they could wield politically against the backs of the American people. The Democrats don't care about putting forward common sense policy that actually helps. They care about weaponizing policy so that they can win elections. That's why they have to continue to be defeated. They simply are not serious about the future of this country. That's why Donald Trump is president again, and that's why he's working hard to make the nation great once again. And I think a big step in that direction was the indictment, and now the arraignment, and the prosecution of former FBI Director Jim Comey. As you know, he was in court today, pleaded not guilty. And from what I know, this is one solid case, but this is also the tip of the iceberg. Your thoughts as he turned himself in today, sir. And my thought is simple. Nobody's above the law. That's what James Comey tried to tell us. He tried to lecture us on that several years ago, and that's just the way it is. According to the indictment, he lied to Congress. He knewingly put things in motion with somebody either being an apparatchik in the press or leaking to the press, and then he told Congress that that was simply not true. Well, guess what? If any citizen lied in front of Congress under oath, they should be prosecuted, just the way James Comey is being prosecuted now. So we'll see where it goes, but let's be clear. Nobody is above the law, and it's about time that we have people who are gonna hold Democrats and Democrat apparatchiks accountable the same way they wielded the justice system to go after their political rivals. I'd like to get, if you don't mind, your thoughts on what seems to be a breakthrough moment. We're gonna have the hostages home potentially very soon. President Trump put out that statement, and it was informed by his Secretary of State that the hostages in Hamas and Israel, they've worked something out, thanks to us, oh, by the way. It's pretty cool. First things first, Donald Trump is the president of peace. He's been committed to the peace process, not just in the Middle East, but all around the world. He just wants people to live in harmony and peace, and he should definitely be acknowledged by the Nobel Committee and everybody else once and for all. Number two, my prayer is that this deal holds, the hostages come home, and that you get an opportunity to have real security in the Middle East for Israelis and their families, and have some closure once and for all. This is a momentous day. Once again, Donald Trump and his team have been committed to finding a path forward towards peace. Contrast that with what we were told a decade ago by the lamestream media and Hillary Clinton, that if Donald Trump was president, you'd have World War III. Once again, they put out lies that made no sense. The truth is, Donald Trump is the one who's trying to bring peace, not just to the Middle East, not just to the Middle East, but to the entire world. It is amazing. It is amazing to watch, and it must be amazing for you to be able to participate in all of this. Congressman Byron Donalds, Republican of Florida, go to byrondonalds.com, byrondonalds.com. Some very interesting things going on. You're running for governor. The primary is August of next year, which will be here before you know it. Thank you, sir, very much. Thank you.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that his government has approved a plan to release all remaining hostages in Gaza. The move is part of President Trump’s peace plan and could bring an end to the two-year conflict in the region.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

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Riyadh

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