Hawkeye Reporter

U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), who serves as Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, discussed a variety of topics in an interview on Miranda Devine’s “Pod Force One” podcast. The conversation covered his approach to congressional oversight, whistleblower advocacy, family farming background, and perspectives on political partisanship.

Grassley spoke about his experience with the Trump administration and congressional investigations. He stated, “We have had the most cooperation in the second Trump administration that I've had under any Republican or Democrat administration in the past, getting information. It hasn't been as easy as it should have been, considering the fact that we all know how everybody for the last 10 years has either been trying to impeach Trump out of office, keep him from getting in office or putting him in prison. You know, you’d think that with all that happening over the last 10 years, we shouldn't have any trouble from anybody in the Trump administration. It's just like pulling teeth, but I'm telling you, I'm astounded with what we have been able to get out of this administration...

"My motive is to make sure that we have transparency of everything that was covered up in previous administrations – make it public, the government being more transparent brings accountability – and then, in turn, [to] discourage it from happening in the future...

“Trump has been so mistreated ever since he went down that famous escalator... So, I'm chairman of this Judiciary Committee, doing my oversight work. I want to make sure that the public knows how Trump was mistreated... I hope if [anybody is] prosecuted, and they’re guilty, they go to jail. But right now, I just want to make sure that the world knows how Trump's been treated since the very minute he came down that [escalator].

“...I think [Trump was mistreated] because he's a threat to the status quo…He came to town to stir things up, and I don't think he knew how to do it in his first term, but he did stir things up an awful lot. But then he's out of office four years, and he knows how this game is played in this town. He knows where the skeletons are buried, in which closet, he knows who to force a deal with. Most importantly, he knows what he didn't do right the first term, and he's not going to make that same mistake again... I think now his presidency will look pretty darn good compared to the other 45 people that served in that office.”

Addressing differences between federal investigations into Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton’s emails by law enforcement agencies such as the FBI and Department of Justice (DOJ), Grassley said: “Well, everything was thrown against Trump. It was all made public at the time they were doing it. What we are learning now is the scheming that went on to make the cases that Jack Smith brought against Trump, and those things are just the weaponization of the powers of government, particularly the FBI and the Department of Justice.

“It's just the opposite in the case of Clinton emails. It was using power of government to cover up… They knew about things that should have been investigated – how she misused email process… They knew about it and they didn't do anything… So what we have recently released is information that proves FBI was not doing its job.”

Grassley reflected on his own background growing up on a small farm: “I like to just do my work and let chips fall where they may…I'm just Chuck Grassley farmer from Iowa.” He described his parents’ modest backgrounds—his mother taught at a one-room schoolhouse before upholstering furniture at home—and explained how family circumstances led him into farming after his father’s death.

He discussed lessons learned through agriculture: “[I have an] appreciation of laboring men and women… Today… two percent of people feed other 98 percent…”

On farm policy debates involving concepts such as “regenerative agriculture,” Grassley said: “[Secretary Kennedy] raises some things …and yet he says he knows how important farm[ing] is…I'm trying find out exactly what regenerative agriculture is... Two percent …can't produce food for rest country if you're going have ...more labor intensive [operations], as opposed machinery intensive... But I think he can be educated.”

Turning toward Iowa itself: “[Washington D.C.] is an island that's surrounded by reality…the real America is what you call flyover country…Iowa is best…”

Grassley addressed perceptions around bipartisanship within Congress: “I always say go Georgetown University website click Senator Lugar Center...I've always come out top 12...” He added there is significant partisanship but believes media often exaggerate divisions: “…there's too much partisanship…but not as much as people …think there is.” He cited bipartisan work with Senator Durbin on criminal justice reform through legislation known as First Step Act.

On why partisanship persists: “Congress supposed represent people America...if people vote partisan way ...wouldn't expect ...that be reflected Congress?”

Discussing oversight responsibilities for federal agencies such as DOJ or FBI Director Christopher Wray’s lack of responsiveness during confirmations or inquiries by Congress members: “When Pam Bondi came ...for confirmation…I gave her file 158 letters previous DOJ had not answered…” He emphasized importance checks-and-balances.

Regarding whistleblower protections—which Grassley has long championed—he stated: “Now I get most my information from whistleblowers patriotic people want nothing more than ...government does what law says ...They've probably gone somebody higher ...they don't get it so then come Chuck Grassley…”

On past investigations into Hunter Biden financial matters prior Joe Biden’s presidential campaign announcement: “[I investigated Hunter Biden] starting 2019 – even before [Joe] Biden announced presidency…”

Recalling events during Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court confirmation hearings when Democrats attempted procedural delays followed by allegations against Kavanaugh’s character: “Kavanaugh was up [for hearing] …Democrat after other suggested adjourn…But instead getting done two o'clock afternoon got done five o'clock afternoon…” On accusations raised during hearings which were referred for prosecution due alleged falsehoods under oath: “…four them were so bad …turn names over Justice Department lying under oath…”

He also commented on civil discourse issues within universities compared with earlier decades while referencing studies at University Iowa.

Speaking personally about family life—including more than seventy years married—Grassley credited spouse Barbara for supporting their five children during periods when he worked both politics and farming.

Grassley summarized advice for success: “Always tell truth...Know your stuff before talk about it...And for United States Senator,[hire] very dependable smart staff.”