Trump’s Cabinet officials spent today on the Hill revealing in real time just how little they know about their departments — and showing how badly they’re failing the American people. From the state of national security programs to which foreign billionaires bought influence with the president to where taxpayer dollars are going, Trump’s incompetent Cabinet has no clue what is happening under their own noses, and Americans deserve better. 

Marco Rubio had no idea that foreign billionaires were buying influence with Trump — and having dinner with him. 

Senator Chris Murphy: “Let me ask you about the dinner that’s happening this Thursday night. The president has offered access to him to the 200 top purchasers of his memecoin. … Maybe about half or more of those individuals who will be meeting with him, many in a VIP reception, are foreigners. Do you have a list of those foreign individuals who will be meeting with the president?”

Marco Rubio: “I didn’t know anything about– I didn’t even know there was a dinner Thursday night, so I don’t know what you’re referring to.”

Among many other issues, Kristi Noem didn’t know if an anti-terrorism program was funded, lacked a basic understanding of the Constitution, and wasn’t aware of immigration policy changes her own department carried out. 

Senator Andy Kim: “There has been a report of cuts to the national database tracking domestic terrorism. DHS cut the funding. I just wanted to ask, is that correct?” …

Noem: “I can follow up.” 

Senator Gary Peters: “I certainly have serious concerns about the costs involved there. To date, can you tell us the total cost for detaining individuals at Guantanamo Bay?” … 

Noem: “I do not have that with me today.”  

Senator Richard Blumenthal: “CBP quietly rescinded … their ‘processing of pregnant and postpartum non-citizen and infants’ policy. … Do you agree or disagree that babies and pregnant women within CBP and ICE custody should receive are tailored for their needs? And why in God’s name would that policy be rescinded providing that care?” 

Noem: “Well, senator, I will look at the specifics of that policy and what was changed. …  If you have a specific to point out that would be fantastic.” 

Senator Blumenthal: “You don’t know about this policy change?” 

Senator Maggie Hassan: “What is habeas corpus?”

Noem: “Habeas corpus is a constitutional right that the president has to be able to remove people from this country.”

Senator Hassan: “That’s incorrect.”

Senator Andy Kim: “How many times has habeas corpus been suspended in our country’s [history]?” 

Noem: “Once that I know of.” 

Senator Kim: “Four times. … Do you know what section of the Constitution the suspension clause of habeas corpus is in?”

Noem: “I do not. Nope.” 

Senator Kim: “Do you know which article is it in?” 

Noem: “I do not, sir.” 

Senator Richard Blumenthal: “I’m sure you’ve seen the recent reports that your agency is going to sponsor a reality TV show in which immigrants would compete for citizenship? Is DHS seriously considering vetting a reality show for immigrants to obtain US citizenship? Your spokesperson is quoted in the Wall Street Journal … saying that ‘it’s in the very beginning stages of that vetting process.’” … 

Noem: “We have no knowledge of a reality show.” 

Senator Ruben Gallego: “Would you consistently be using [the $50 million private jet you requested] to travel?” 

Noem: “I don’t know.” 

RFK Jr. didn’t know his department had slashed funding for ALS research. 

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: “I do not know about any cuts to ALS research.” …  

Senator Dick Durbin: “I just read them to you.” 

RFK Jr.: “I will have to go and talk with Jay Bhattacharya and find out what the rationale was for those cuts. I just don’t know about them until you told them to me at this moment.” 

Trump’s handpicked nominee to be IRS commissioner didn’t know if the president could use the IRS to bully taxpayers or of a letter asking the IRS to investigate a fake Tribal tax credit scheme. 

Senator Elizabeth Warren: “Is it illegal for the president to instruct the IRS to remove nonprofit status from a taxpayer?” 

Billy Long: “I’m not going to have the answer that you need.”

Senator Catherine Cortez Masto: “Senator Wyden and I in this committee actually sent a letter to the acting commissioner of the IRS to investigate [fake Tribal tax credits]. Are you aware of that letter?”

Long: “No.”