Commentary

On the heels of Elon Musk’s uncovering of shady projects and accounting at the U.S. Agency for International Aid, corrupt practices were revealed in the EPA.

“Shockingly, roughly 20 billion of your tax dollars were parked at an outside financial institution by the Biden EPA,” according to Lee Zeldin, Trump’s newly confirmed EPA Administrator.  “The scheme was purposefully designed to obligate all of the money in a rush job without oversight,” as Biden was leaving office.

Reportedly, the $20 billion appears to be money appropriated to the EPA under the so-called Inflation Reduction Act, which boosted government spending on environmental projects.

The funds were “awarded to eight entities that were then responsible for doling out” the funds to non-governmental organizations “at their discretion.”

One of the eight entities, Climate United Fund, received about $7 billion to dole out to a coalition of experienced non-profit financial institutions investing in solutions that tackle economic and environmental challenges.

While Zeldin said there was no reason to suspect any wrongdoing by the bank, he has made it known that he wants the money returned.

Meanwhile, Zeldin is referring the matter to the agency’s inspector general and the Justice Department.

Biden’s EPA inspector general was one of more than a dozen IGs fired by Trump in first days in office, but Zeldin can be counted on to track down individuals handling that transaction for accountability.

A Timely Political Junky’s Story

As a blogger, being a political junky is often convenient as with the confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, which gives me another opportunity to cite an example for you.

On December 8, 2020, President Biden, at an event in Wilmington, Delaware, proudly announced, “For secretary of Health and Education Services, I nominate Xavier Bacheria,” mispronouncing both his name and getting the health department’s title incorrect.

Stumbling with the teleprompter, he continued, “You know, Xavier Becerra … excuse me.”  He went on to say that his reason for selecting Becerra was that his current position as attorney general of California makes him “a good fit for the role.”  He didn’t explain how.

We do know that the choice of Becerra allowed Biden to check off another DEI box – he would be the first Latin American to hold the position at HHS.

There’s more

In a March 17, 2021, statement published by Illinois Senate Democrat Dick Durbin in his website, he “slammed Republican obstruction of the nomination of Xavier Becerra to serve as secretary of Health and Human Services,” noting that after three months it is “still blocked by Senate Republicans.”

“How can defending public health rules disqualify a person who wants to be America’s top health official,” wrote Durbin, “Is this any time to play politics with the Department of Health and Human Services?”  Certainly, Durbin recognizes that the nomination and confirmation process is part of the game of politics.

Citing remarks made by Becerra during his confirmation hearing, Durbin added, “Would you expect anything less from a man who wants to lead our public health effort?”

Wait, there’s more

In a February 12, 2025, statement published by in Durbin’s website, he misspells RFK’s name as he states, “outlined is serious concerns with Robert F. Kenney, Jr. to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.”

Citing some of the issues handled by HHS, Durbin said, “In any of these often critical historic tasks – Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. would find himself unqualified, unfit and dangerous to the Department of Health and Human Services.”

 “We need an expert, we need a scientist, we need someone who knows something about healthcare leading the Health and Human Services Department,” said Sen. Schumer, but Becerra wasn’t that expert either.

Durbin’s printed statement in support of Becerra was a mere half-page long, while he derided Kennedy over nearly three pages. Ironically, RFK, Jr. garnered more votes than Becerra in confirmation.

How many Americans do you think could name Becerra as Biden’s HHS secretary.  Zero.  But they’re all going to know that RFK, Jr. now heads the agency.

The same goes for Trump’s other cabinet members, who if not already known, will be, as he or she carries out the reform policies promised by President Trump.

And finally … A Valentine’s Day Wish …

… to Vivian, and the other faithful women who regularly read this blog.

May God continue to bless the United States of America.