so so but your your letter didn't say that and I want to read from this letter because it is an astonishing letter the second page we call upon Governor Lamont the state of Connecticut and all Connecticut jurisdictions to one hey everyone welcome back to the channel today we've got an explosive moment from Capitol Hill that you do not want to miss Senator Ted Cruz goes Allin during a hearing ruthlessly grilling a Biden nominee Professor Russell over a controversial letter she signed back back in 2020 this isn't just any ordinary confrontation Cruz pulls no punches as he digs into the details of this letter which has some pretty shocking implications back in March 2020 at the very start of the covid-19 pandemic Professor Russell signed a letter that has since become the center of some serious controversy now you might think what's the big deal a lot was happening during the pandemic but hold on this letter is far from ordinary Senator Cruz confronts Russell about the fact that she didn't disclose this letter to the committee even more shocking she claims she doesn't even remember signing it Cruz clearly unimpressed wastes no time in calling this out he finds it deeply concerning that such an important document could just slip her mind Cruz reads directly from the letter and what it says is frankly alarming you signed this letter March 19th of 2020 that was three years ago you did not disclose this letter to the committee why did you not disclose it to the the committee so Senator I had no memory of signing that letter it sounds like it was right at the start of the pandemic um so I apologize I made every effort to try to find anything um that was responsive I guess if you have no memory you didn't consider it that big a deal I'm assuming Senator I I'm just not sure it's it's not something I remember signing I don't doubt that well I want to I want to talk about this letter because it's an extraordinary letter this is not know the chairman and Senator Booker were trying to rehabilitate You by saying well lots of people did humanitarian release for some people incarcerated that's true but this letter is not within the bounds of the mainstream this letter is actually quite extreme this letter begins with the undersigned organizations and individuals call on Governor Lamont to act immediately to protect the lives of incarcerated people in our state three urgent steps are needed the immediate release of as many people in custody as possible two a moratorium on new admissions into jails and prisons do you think a moratorium on on new admissions into jails and prisons is is that uh a policy you support So Senator um again I don't have the letter in front of me to understand the context but um I know there were efforts to reduce new admissions but there obviously some people who would present a public safety risk so so but your your letter didn't say that and I want to read from this letter because it is an astonishing letter the second page we call upon Governor Lamont the state of Connecticut and all Connecticut jurisdictions two one immediately release to the maximum extent possible people incarcerated pre-trial and postconviction we recognize that jails and prisons are not safe and do not promote well-being for anyone the global co9 pandemic is throwing into sharp relief the untenable size of our penal system and the need for sustained action to shrink its scale size and scope this next sentence is underlined we outline below a few considerations to initiate State action and emphasize they do not preclude the release of groups not explicitly discussed in this letter do you think it was a good idea to as this letter says quote immediately release to the maximum extent possible people incarcerated pre-trial and postc conviction so Senator I'd want to understand the context around extent possible the letter you signed so you know the context so again Senator I don't have it in front of me and I didn't have a memory of the specifics releases need to be give a witness a copy of the letter which is right there you'll you'll have it in front of you in about 10 seconds thank you Senator I do believe releases need to be consistent with Public Safety okay well that's not what this letter says the the letter continues pre-trial release quote Governor Lamont should use his emergency powers to protect incarcerated people people their communities and Correctional staff by releasing all people all who are incarcerated without having being convicted of any crime all people means murderers it means serial rapists it means child molesters do you think it is remotely reasonable to call upon the governor to release every murderer in the state of con Connecticut prior to conviction to essentially eliminate pre-trial convi uh incarceration so I think Senator that releases should be consistent with Public Safety but that's not what you said that the letter doesn't say that that's all were I so fortunate to be confirmed as a judge I would strictly follow the bail Reform Act which includes preventative detention but that's not remotely this letter all right wow what an intense exchange Senator Cruz really didn't hold back in exposing the dangers of this controversial letter from the push for Mass releases of prisoners to questioning the very foundations of our justice system this hearing has raised some serious questions about the direction we're heading if you enjoyed this deep dive into the latest political drama make sure to give this video a thumbs up and don't forget to subscribe for more hard-hitting content like this thanks for watching and I'll see you in the next one