New York Congressman Tom Suozzi who FLIPPED Trump District in NY goes ON OFFENSE
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What sparked the conversation about Trump’s “Doge Department” and why does it matter?
I'm joined by Congressman Tom Swasey from actually my hometown in Long Island, New York. Congressman, welcome. I just want to touch upon some of the breaking news of the day. Donald Trump announcing that he's apparently having his own make-believe department called the Doge Department, and he's appointing Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to this make-believe department. I mean, you know, if this was a fictional movie, you know, there may be some humor in that, but this is serious business. Cabinet departments, the appointment process. What's going on here? Because I think we do need some seriousness on the Hill.
You know, I think it's a favor for Elon Musk. Doge, D-O-G-E, is also Dogecoin, which Elon Musk was very big with that. So he's just trying to do another favor to Elon Musk. I don't think it's part of the government. I think it's an outside agency that they're going to be pushing for, as they say, governmental efficiency. But let's see what happens. You know, I think that if you look at the appointments that Trump is making, he's, you know, supporting his loyal supporters and he's He's going out of his way to show loyalty to them. We've noticed with President Trump that, you know, that doesn't always last for that long. We never know what's going to happen with him. But let's, you know, let's work forward.
How does Congressman Suozzi view the recent defense‑secretary appointment controversy?
Let's work ahead and let's try and get things done. And let's try and address the issues to people in our country base.
You know, one of the issues, I mean, that Americans are concerned about, too, is we'll talk about domestic in a moment, but just kind of what's going on internationally. Currently, the defense secretary is Lloyd Austin, former four-star general, someone who was imminently qualified. We heard yesterday that Donald Trump intended to appoint Peter Hegseth, who's a Fox News host. I mean, he did serve in the country, so you have to respect his service, of course. But someone who has no government experience, I've heard lots of people say, you know, who the fill in the blank, is this guy. What's your thought about that? I mean, it's as serious of a position as there is to give someone without experience the nuclear codes.
You know, the president's going to have to go through. This is why the Senate confirmation process is actually so very important. And, you know, the president talking about his recess appointments and he doesn't want to go through Senate confirmation. is a little bit of a scary thing because you need to go through that Senate confirmation process so you can vet the people that come forward for these jobs. You know, maybe Mr. Hegseth will be a great defense secretary and he's Trump's guy and Trump wants to do his own thing and he wants somebody from outside of the existing hierarchy. It has to be a civilian position, but that's why you have Senate confirmations so that the president under a checks and balances program will have to pass muster that the people that he's appointing to these all important positions are in fact capable of doing the job.
You sit on the Homeland Security Committee. Donald Trump's made some announcements about appointments going forward there.
Why is the Senate confirmation process crucial for national security roles?
Kristi Noem, governor of South Dakota, had become Homeland Security director. She was famous for killing her dog, Cricket, and moderating a town hall with Donald Trump where they just started dancing instead of having any questions answered. Also, Donald Trump says that Tom Homan is going to be his border czar, one of the authors of Project 2025. I'll dig into this a little more, but judging by your face, you have something you want to say about those appointments or have some reaction generally to that.
No, it's a cheap shot, the whole shooting the dog thing. I know Kristi Noem, she used to be a member of Congress and- She's a serious person, but the reality of the situation is that we have to secure the border, we have to fix the broken asylum system, and we have to treat people like human beings in the process. We have people that have been here for decades, not 10 years, 20 years, 30 years.
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What sparked the conversation about Trump’s “Doge Department” and why does it matter?
0:00–1:20
2
How does Congressman Suozzi view the recent defense‑secretary appointment controversy?
1:20–3:12
3
Why is the Senate confirmation process crucial for national security roles?
3:12–4:56
4
What are Suozzi’s priorities for fixing the U.S. border and asylum system?
4:56–6:43
5
How does the threat of mass deportations affect families, businesses, and law‑enforcement?
6:43–8:14
6
What bipartisan border‑security bill did Suozzi champion and why was it killed?
8:14–10:08
7
How did Suozzi flip a Trump‑won district and what lessons did he learn?
10:08–12:11
8
Why does Suozzi argue that both parties must reject extremism and work together now?
12:11–13:14
Speakers
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