I'm not sure today whether to laugh or cry. The Senate confirmation hearings today for Todd Blanche (for AG) and Jay Clayton (for DNI) are unbearably embarrassing. It was painful to watch.

George Conway agrees.

Embarrassing. Embarrassing for him. Embarrassing for the legal profession. Embarrassing for the Justice Department. Embarrassing for his former law partners (who have been embarrassed more than they deserve lately). Embarrassing for his family. Embarrassing for anyone who... https://t.co/xgtxH7DMKr
-- George Conway (@gtconway3d) July 15, 2026

Blanche was Blanche, expressionless and vacuous. But here's some more from Clayton.

this is not going well for Clayton AT ALL

OSSOFF: Are you aware that Director Gabbard was present at the Fulton County raid earlier this year?

CLAYTON: ...

OSSOFF: What is going on here?

CLAYTON: ... ...

OSSOFF: Are you aware that members of this committee are probing... pic.twitter.com/2QdWuUIHnh
-- Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 15, 2026

It's too early to start drinking (as I write this ET), but I might reconsider after seeing this video from Pete Hegseth. The fictional Brigadier General Jack D. Ripper was obsessed with commies and fluoride. Hegseth is not fictional, but just as obsessed with his manhood.

In No Time for Sergeants (1958), Andy Griffith rigs the barracks toilet seats to stand up for inspection. Secretary of WAR! Pete Hegseth wants something else to stand up for inspection (The Guardian):

Pete Hegseth announced Wednesday that the Department of Defense will offer testosterone deficiency screening for soldiers 30 and older.

The US defense secretary unveiled plans for a new screening program for testosterone deficiency among troops that will work to ensure service members have the "right testosterone levels" to perform at their optimal conditions in a video posted to X.

"I'm authorizing a new screening program for testosterone deficiency for our service members, ensuring you have the right testosterone levels to operate at your absolute best," Hegseth said in the video.

The High-T Department of War. pic.twitter.com/hlAUq3j2cD
-- Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) July 15, 2026

Please make it stop.

. . .