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Doug Ford is Interviewed about Canadian Tariffs; Pam Bondi Hearing. Aired 9:30-10a ET

Aired October 07, 2025 - 09:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[09:30:00]

KATE BOLDUAN, CNN ANCHOR: Very grim and there is no end in sight, like this one, in a long time.

Thank you for coming in. I really appreciate your time.

REP. ERIC SWALWELL (D-CA): My pleasure.

BOLDUAN: We're going to keep a very close eye on that Senate Judiciary Committee hearing as the attorney general will begin her testimony shortly.

Sara.

SARA SIDNER, CNN ANCHOR: Yes, we are waiting on hearing from Pam Bondi. Lots of questions there. They are being laid out by Democrats. We will bring that on as soon as she begins speaking.

All right, ahead, also, Canada's economy sputtering and now high stakes talks in Washington. Can Prime Minister Mark Carney convince Trump to back off new tariffs.

And a medical helicopter crashing onto a California highway. Look at these pictures. Terrifying. Three people in critical condition. How people on the side of the road worked together to help save someone trapped underneath that.

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[09:35:12]

SIDNER: This morning, President Trump set to meet with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the White House. It comes at a really critical moment for Canada that's economy is weakening and is dealing with steep U.S. tariffs on cars, steel and aluminum, which are key exports to the United States.

Trump is preparing to deal another blow to Canada, a 10 percent tariff on foreign softwood lumber and timber are supposed to go into effect next week. He also announced a 25 percent tariff on furniture and cabinets.

Joining me now is the premier of Ontario, Doug Ford. Thank you so much for being here.

Let me ask you this. If President Trump refuses to lift tariffs on -- tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum and lumber, what are you -- what are you going to do?

DOUG FORD, PREMIER OF ONTARIO: Well, the question is, what are the American population going to do? You rely on the aluminum coming from Canada to build military and aerospace and manufacturing. You rely on steel as well coming from Canada. And 30 percent of the lumber to build homes is coming from Canada.

The way to create more jobs is make a deal with Canada. The way to reduce inflation is make a deal with Canada and increase the economy is make a deal with Canada, your number one export country in the entire world. That's -- that's what needs to happen. And it's a -- it's a shame that President Trump is doing this. It's just going to create more unemployment.

You see John Deere is laying off 280 people and costing them hundreds of millions of dollars. And the list keeps going on and on and on. The auto sector, they've -- they've seen increased costs of over $107 billion because auto parts travel back and forth across the border eight times. Our -- our -- you know, our economy is so integrated, so intertwined.

Canada is not the problem. We're the solution. And he has to start looking at other countries, like China.

SIDNER: Premier Ford, I'm curious to -- from you, why do you think the president has targeted Canada, our neighbor and -- and longtime ally?

FORD: I -- I can't answer that. I guess only President Trump would be able to answer that. But we have a fair trade agreement right now, it's been going on for years, that he created. And it's beneficial to -- to both countries.

I always say, you can't unscramble an egg. You have to make the omelet larger.

And we're two strong countries. I believe in the Am-Can (ph) fortress. And, you know, it will create more jobs and -- and more opportunities on both sides of the border.

You know, President Trump, Sara, always says, we don't need Canada. Well, tell the farmers that if we cut them off on the potash. It would decimate the -- the agricultural sector overnight. You know, tell -- tell the folks when they need uranium that's coming from Canada, it would shut down all your nuclear power. Or the high grade nickel coming from Ontario, 60 percent, that they use, and the critical minerals. Tell them 1.5 million people that turn their lights on every morning in their factories, in their -- in their homes in Michigan, New York and Minnesota that we ship the electricity down from Ontario and across the entire country, from other provinces. This does not make sense, and I -- I can't figure out why President Trump is doing this. Maybe he should take a page out of Ronald Reagan's book about tariffs.

It sounds good at the beginning until inflation hits, which is happening right now in both countries, and people start losing their jobs, that are happening in both countries.

SIDNER: Ontario Premier Doug Ford, I wish I had more time with you. Thank you so much. I really do appreciate it.

Let me toss it over to John. We have some breaking news now.

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: All right, we are watching the attorney general, Pam Bondi, testifying live on Capitol Hill. These are the opening statements. Questions about to begin.

Stay with us.

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[09:43:35]

BERMAN: We are watching the attorney general, Pam Bondi, testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee. She is answering questions from the committee chair, Chuck Grassley.

Let's listen in.

PAM BONDI, ATTORNEY GENERAL: Working hand in hand. One example is right here in Washington, D.C.. We have the D.C. task force that has been incredibly successful. We are so proud of the work that that has done. We have been working hand in hand, hand in hand with the local officials here in D.C., and we are very proud of that work. And we're taking that to Tennessee and around this country to keep Americans safe.

SEN. CHUCK GRASSLEY (R-IA): I won't repeat the things I've said about arctic frost, but we had this recent revelation yesterday of my Republican senators being targeted by the government, underscoring the point about arctic frost. When taken in context with widespread government weaponization against Trump and conservatives in the last decade, the conducts arguably is worse than Watergate.

So, I got two questions along this line. How many Department of Justice and FBI personnel have been held accountable for their partizan and constitutional questionable conduct? And what was their punishment? If you could give a few examples or follow up in writing, since there's so many people that fall into this category.

[09:45:10]

BONDI: Yes, Senator. Yes, Chairman, we will.

GRASSLEY: So, you want to answer that in writing? Yes. OK.

BONDI: Yes. The exact number I can answer in writing. Yes.

GRASSLEY: OK. Was attorney general -- on the same subject, was Attorney General

Garland, Director Wray and/or President Biden's White House aware of the FBI targeting Republican senators? Did they approve it?

Now, let's be clear, either they knew and allowed it to happen or they didn't know. And if they didn't know, it points to a lack of oversight of Jack Smith's runaway case.

BONDI: Chairman Grassley, that's what we've been talking about when we refer to the weaponization of government. Operation Arctic Frost was an unconstitutional, undemocratic abuse of power.

During Arctic Frost, the FBI also placed 92 linked Republican individuals and Republican groups, such as Charlie Kirk's Turning Point, on their list. This is the kind of conduct that shattered the American people's faith in our government, as I said in my opening statement. We are ending this weaponization.

Our FBI is targeting violent criminals, child predators and other lawbreakers, not sitting senators who happen to be from the wrong political party. Several of your colleagues sitting at this dais were targeted, and others. We will continue to stop that throughout the Justice Department. That is the ultimate weaponization of government.

GRASSLEY: Have you sought grand jury secrecy waivers so that all of Arctic Frost documents can be produced to Congress? And if not, have -- do you plan to do that?

BONDI: Chairman Grassley, I will be working directly with Director Patel on this issue. And there's not much more we can say about the issue, for obvious reasons, at this time.

GRASSLEY: OK.

Public Safety Officers Benefit program, PSOB, provides benefits to law enforcement and first responders if they're disabled or killed in the line of duty. Affected family members may also benefit. My oversight and a Government Accountability Office report shows that some claims have taken thousands of days to conclude. PSOB applicants have also informed my office that they've been left in tears with disrespectful ways they've been treated by the government.

Question number one and two in this area, but I'll start just with one, what actions have been taken to hold DOJ officials accountable for their failures to manage the program and treat applicants with respect?

BONDI: Chairman Grassley, as stated earlier, there have been many terminations from the Department of Justice, and we stand by all of those. Many of those are subject to active litigation.

This Department of Justice will treat everyone with respect. And we will do everything in our power to help citizens of this country. Please reach out to us with any individual cases and I will personally look at them for you, Chairman.

GRASSLEY: OK.

So, if you'll provide that information. That was my second question.

So now let's go on to -- regarding the initial FBI 1023 document that I made public last Congress. That document mentioned, one, text messages, two, audio recordings, and, three, financial records that allegedly approved by -- bribery scheme with the Biden family and foreign interests. I asked Director Patel if his predecessors made any effort to determine whether these records existed. He answered, no.

What steps has the department taken to determine whether these records exist, one way or another? This matter ought to be put to rest.

BONDI: Chairman Grassley, I know Director Patel is working hard on this with the members of the FBI.

GRASSLEY: OK.

So you -- you -- we don't know if these records exist, or you just can't say that publicly at this point?

BONDI: I -- I don't want to discuss any of that publicly, director (ph).

GRASSLEY: OK.

The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act includes a safeguard to prevent political weaponization.

[09:50:02]

The reauthorization mandated certain members and their staffs shall be entitled to attend any proceedings of the FISA court. Former Biden DOJ assistant attorney general Matt Olsen drafted a privacy agreement that allowed the department to hide information from Congress during FISA proceedings. Matt Olsen made a career out of targeting President Trump and his allies. So, it's not surprising that he would attempt to hinder congressional oversight or cover up for the Biden regime.

I want to make sure that you get rid of the ridiculous and misguided Olsen memo (ph). When can you tell me that will be done?

BONDI: We will notify you, Chairman Grassley. Thank you.

GRASSLEY: OK.

Senator Durbin.

SEN. DICK DURBIN (D-IL): Thanks, Mr. Chairman.

Madam Attorney General, let me ask you this question. Were you consulted by the White House before they deployed National Guard troops to cities in the United States?

BONDI: I am not going to discuss any internal conversations with the White House. DURBIN: You won't even say whether you talked to the White House about this?

BONDI: I am not going to discuss any internal conversations with the White House with you, Chairman -- Ranking Member.

DURBIN: I noticed that.

What's the secret? Why do you want to keep this secret? The American people don't know the rationale behind the deployment of National Guard troops. In my state, the word is, and I think it's been confirmed by the White House, they are going to transfer Texas National Guard units to the state of Illinois. What's the rationale for that?

BONDI: Yes, Chairman, as you shut down the government, you voted to shut down the government, and you're sitting here, our law enforcement officers aren't being paid, they're out there working to protect you. I wish you love Chicago as much as you hate President Trump. And currently, the National Guard are on the way to Chicago. If you're not going to protect your citizens, President Trump will.

DURBIN: Been on this committee for more than 20 years. That's the kind of testimony you expect from this administration. A simple question as to whether or not they had a legal rationale for deploying National Guard troops becomes grounds for personal attack. I think it's a legitimate question. It's my responsibility. She refuses to answer as to whether she had any conversation with the White House about deploying national troops to my state. That's an indication, I'm afraid, where we are politically in this place.

Let me ask you another question. I want to -- if you will, hold on a second, make sure I've got the right page of facts here.

You testified under oath when you were last before this committee, that before your appointment to attorney general, you had served as a representative of some sort for the royal family of Qatar. There was an issue that came before you in May when President Trump accepted a $400 million luxury jet from the royal family of Qatar for temporary use as Air Force One before it's permanently gifted, gifted, to the Trump Presidential Library Foundation. The Constitution unequivocally bestows on Congress the power to control whether any officer of the United States, including the president, may accept a gift, quote, "from any king, prince, or foreign state," end of quote. And this gift clearly violates the statutory regime enacted by Congress.

You've refused to answer a letter I sent to you five months ago asking the legal rationale you relied on to advise President Trump to accept this unprecedented gift from your former legal client. Can you make a promise today that you will disclose that?

BONDI: Disclose what, Ranking Member?

DURBIN: I assume there was a letter or some sort of statement from your office to the White House to advise them that you felt it was permissible. DURBIN: First, to address my role with Qatar, as I addressed with you

during my confirmation hearing, I disclosed it in my SJQ. In private practice I worked for Qatar for anti-human trafficking for the World Cup. That was my only involvement, and I made that very clear. And I'm very proud of everything I've done with anti-human trafficking.

Obviously, in preparing any advice for the president on a jet or anything else, we consult with the Office of Legal Counsel. The confidentiality applies to their input as well.

And, Chairman, if you would approve and vote to approve, as Chairman Grassley said, excuse me, Ranking Member, as Chairman Grassley said, my employees, we would answer your letters a lot faster. Yet you're stalling them at every stop.

And to go back to your previous question, your city has a murder rate five times higher than New Yorks, 571 homicides last year. If you were serious about protecting your people, you would be asking this administration for help.

[09:55:03]

You're saying that we are coming into your state and your city. We're there to help make America safe and Illinois safe, whether or not you want to.

DURBIN: I believe cutting federal grant programs to law enforcement in my state and across the nation does not make us any safer. And you've done just that. You've supplanted that decision by sending in National Guard troops to California and other places. That is a situation where the governors have not asked for that help. If you truly wanted to do this on a bipartisan basis, you wouldn't defy a governor, you would work with them. I am prepared to do that. I'm prepared to work with this administration. But cutting these grants to law enforcement does not make us any stronger as a nation or give us the tools we need to reduce crime in Chicago.

Now, I'd just like to ask you, when it came to this Qatar situation, did you consult with the ethics office in the Department of Justice before making your decision on this gift of a jet?

BONDI: Chairman, I didn't gift a jet to anyone. My Office of Legal Counsel provides confidential advice to the president, to the White House, period. And you're conflating two issues. Cutting grants -- I was very clear about what grants we've cut and what grants we haven't. Only 7 percent. And if you have a grant in Illinois that you think that I've cut that is not protect -- that is protecting law enforcement officers or your people, you personally call me and I will work with you to turn that grant back on.

I think many of the Democrats here can tell you, I have worked with them to turn grants back on. There's an appeal process. Tell me a specific grant that I have turned off (INAUDIBLE) would help law enforcement, (INAUDIBLE) but (INAUDIBLE).

DURBIN: Did you take a look -- did you take -- BONDI: And again, there (INAUDIBLE) right now as we speak.

Oh, by the way, so is director (INAUDIBLE) Todd Blanche. You're sitting here grilling me, and they're on their way to Chicago to keep your state (INAUDIBLE).

DURBIN: It's my job to grill you. (INAUDIBLE) investigation of your agency is part of my responsibility. (INAUDIBLE) but others have weathered this storm and answered questions in a respectful manner.

BONDI: Can you tell me the grants, Ranking Member, please?

DURBIN: Yes. Take a look at the president's budget on HIDTA grants. What happens to it in his proposed budget.

BONDI: I'd be glad to meet with you on the grants.

DURBIN: It's cut by one-third from $300 million to $196 million. That's one example of a grant that works. And your administration has suggested cutting it in the budget that lies ahead.

I want to ask you about items in a letter I sent you in July that you have not answered. In February you made a public claim that the Epstein client list was, quote, "sitting on my desk right now for review," end of quote. You then produce already public information, and no client lists at a major media event hosted at the White House.

Attorney General Bondi, why did you publicly claim to have the Epstein client list waiting for your review and then produce nothing relevant to that claim?

BONDI: Senator Durbin, Senator Durbin, if you listen to my entire clip on that, I said I had not reviewed it yet, that it was sitting on my desk, along with the JFK files, the Martin Luther King files. And I said I had not yet reviewed it. And if you see our memo on Epstein, you will see, excuse me, our memo on Epstein clearly points out that there was no client list. Our July 6th memo.

You also didn't let me respond to the HIDTA question. The budget transfers $196 million for High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas to the Office of Justice Programs, OJP. The Justice Department will continue to administer those grants under OJP in 2026.

DURBIN: Going back to the Epstein files. According to another whistleblower who made a protected disclosure to my office, you pushed the FBI to review approximately 100,000 Epstein related records on an arbitrarily short deadline in March, and the FBI was directed to flag any documents that mentioned President Trump. Nothing came of that review until July when DOJ and FBI released an unsigned memo stating, quote, "there's no incriminating client list." Why was the July 7th memo unsigned?

BONDI: The July 7th memo came from the FBI and the Department of Justice. Director Patel answered those questions very clear.

And, you know, Senator Durbin, I find it very interesting that you refused repeated Republican requests to release the Epstein flight logs in 2023 and 2024. You fought that. Did you take money from Reid Hoffman (ph), campaign donations, who was a huge Epstein friend.

DURBIN: (INAUDIBLE).

[10:00:01]

BONDI: Why did you fight for years to -- why did you fight to not -- disclose the -- the flight logs, Senator Durbin?