Michelle Cottle

And thanks to some early primaries and special elections, we're already seeing some emerging themes in both parties, which, Jamel and David, I trust that you are both prepared to dig into.

But...

First, we have to talk about this week's Pam Bondi meltdown.

The attorney general appeared before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.

She was ostensibly there to answer questions about the DOJ's handling of the Epstein files.

But she clearly had no intention of answering much of anything.

Her testimony turned into this kind of wild back and forth with lawmakers.

Answer my question.

Some of them angry about the fact that many of the victims' names were released while the names of possible perpetrators were redacted.

But Bondi, to her credit, gave a truly electrifying performance, I have to say.

Not in a good way, but still wild entertainment.

So we are taping this on Thursday morning.

So as always, facts on the ground may change before you hear it.

But Jamel, I have...

got to get your thoughts so far on this spectacle, not just on how Bondi did, but also on how members of the committee, like lots of Democrats and even a Republican or two, responded to her just stonewalling.

Well, I did wonder, like you, how President Trump was looking at this performance because she did not seem tough and defiant.

She seemed petulant and panicked and 100% on the defensive, which is not going to do anything to help the president overcome lingering suspicions that he has something to hide.

I mean, her performance with her burn book was a little like the scene out of Mean Girls.

And I totally agree that Democrats brought the heat.

I mean, they've been slammed for not being tough enough on this administration.