'You've In Fact Exceeded Your Authority': Gaetz Drills Into ATF Director Over Controversial Rule
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ก.พ. 2025
- At today's House Judiciary Committee hearing, Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) questioned ATF Director Steven Dettelbach about a rule for classifying gun sellers.
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Disband the ATF now.
Arguing with progressive activists, is pointless.
They look like brown shirts to me....
@@dominickperino3142 Brown shirts sounds like 1930s anti German propaganda...this is here in America and now.
This is the only way. It's an unconstitutional agency, among many, that are doing unconstitutional activities. The ATF director keeps saying they don't write law, but they do. They write regulations without a legislative vote, and then use lethal force to enforce those regulations. I'm sorry, but that certainly sounds like the ATF writes law.
Along with the Fucking illegal Unconstitutional IRS And Federal Reserve!!
All in Congress: Just stop with the BS and cut all the funding from this man's budget. Shut the ATF down permanently.
You’re right. We need to organize and prepare candidates that will do what is just and honorable, and attempt to change things peacefully working within government before everyday American’s fuse burns out.
Currently, the Dems and Repubs together vote to waste the people’s resources and spit on the people’s rights.
If we can’t organize a new organization of purely patriot, revolutionary Americans that put American people and their rights first…. it’s not going to be good for anyone.
I want peace. That’s why I promote a new organization. The Dems and Repubs have failed the people. What do you think?
@@andrewcanady6644I suspect that for Congress to effectively dissolve the ATF through 100% removal of funding, sending the (former) agent maggots "onto the street", would be helpful to prevent firearm owning citizens from revolting.
However, creating another, new Gov't "organization" to replace the ATF would likely result in a starting point for corruption & power expansion to infest the new "organization", just as the ATF been similarly so infested for years.
There are already several very powerful federal law enforcement agencies in existence, such as the FBI, U.S. Marshalls, DHS, DEA, USCG & the BATFE (usually known simply as the "ATF"), & I'm quite sure these agencies have overlapping authority. In addition, I'm quite sure there are other (non law enforcement specific) federal agencies (such as the NRC, NSA, FDA & others) that likely could, & probably do act in a law enforcement role independently, or in support of the "dedicated" federal law enforcement agencies.
Before the creation of the DHS, the FBI (as well as the CIA, I believe) was tasked with the same responsibility as now lies with the DHS. Since the FBI already had (for many years) the DHS's responsibility, there should have been no good reason to create the DHS, & thus it seems most likely the DHS was created mainly to expand the size & power of the federal Govt.
I think if the ATF were to be dissolved, & it was decided to transfer its responsibility to another Govt organization, it would probably be better if that organization was already established (& carefully reformed & enforced toward acting constitutionally) rather than create a new organization, as there are too many powerful federal organizations, as it is, & they are probably all corrupt, to some degree.
GOP is performing for the camera to fundraise by posing as representing constituents
CONSERVATIVE posers fundraise off performance theater trying to look as if they serve constituents
@@andrewcanady6644 I consider the Republicans are the ones that work for the American people. Lincoln was the first Republican president and won the first civil war to abolish slavery in our country forever. President Jackson liberated our country from Muslim threat. These are the great heroes of our country.
When a law becomes too convoluted to be understood by a normal citizen, it is unlawful.
Any infringement is already expressly unlawful, as stated by the Bill of Rights.
@@LRRPFco52 that poorly punctuated, incompletely thought-out statement that got adopted as the 2nd Amendment.
@@rickgilbrt If someone has convinced you of the illegitimatacy of the Bill of Rights based on their understanding of English grammar in 2024, you should purge that source from your perspective and go study 180 years of Supreme Court rulings on the issue.
@@LRRPFco52I'm pretty sure he was being sarcastic
“A Law repugnant to the Constitution is void.” Marbury v. Madison, Supreme Court (1803)
WHY DOES CONGRESS NOT HAVE THE POWER TO FLATLY COME OUT AND SAY, " ANSWER THE QUESTION WITH YES OR NO, OR YOU WILL BE HELD IN CONTENPT!"
I might be wrong but I am pretty sure Congress has no legal authority to impose laws over individuals, they simply have the legal right to investigate agencies and corresponding individuals to help find information as to why certain actions and decisions are or were made. You also would need a judge to have him held in contempt.
If I am wrong please correct me, this is a hail marry from high school government class from 20 years ago.
@@ForeverTheWar I believe you are correct, but Senators ought to be able to force you to answer questions.
All of these “inquiries “ are nothing but a joke and waste of money, nothing is ever done… look at all the fbi bullshit.
just more evasive answers from the same faction
policy is not law, AFT cannot make laws, only policy.
Shut down this ATF they are making up their own rules ENOUGH
Yep, they're setting us all up to break laws! 400 pages of "explanation" on one fire arms law? The laws are completely out of control! There needs to be a limit ffs!
They are making laws with monetary infringements and possible imprisonment and rights taken.
Yup
This is all for show, so you can feel better. They'll be dining & wining together after this "grilling".
ATF turned off power to the house, taped over cameras, and then Broke in.
Said Police.
{Just What a Home Envader Would Do.}
How is the ATF still a part of our government
Administrative acting as legislature with executive approval.
You know, everybody doesn't like guns, however, when we defund the police, people like to feel safe, they buy more guns, so I am saying defunding the police is counter intuitive.
@@virginiashirley4139the Democrat tactic is to take away weapons and police.. we need more of both
What makes you think they are? Seems like they're acting as their own govt.
Look at Waco absolute power corrupts. How is it that everyone has forgotten. It was common knowledge that the Sheriff could have arrested David Korish without incident. But o no, the ATF wanted to use force. Just how did that go. Answer NOT TO GOOD.
And this is the head of the ATF.We are in bad need of intelligent leadership.
Well, he's a peach compared to Mayorcas!
Sounds like a criminal trying to defend himself on a witness stand and is purposely evading the questions.
Diabolical.
He seems unintelligent because he is being deceptive and ambiguous to hide his true intentions. He cannot be honest and successfully steal our rights.
From this administration? this is exactly what happens when you have illegitimate leadership, complete incompetence
Constitutionally vague and obscure. Unconstitutional.
No more Hard questions... Only handing out HARD TIME in FEDERAL PRISON for these Criminal ATF people that think they are above the LAW and the Constitution.
current economic data under the Biden administration paint a picture of resilience and growth. Since President Biden took office, the economy has been growing at an annual rate of 2.8%, slightly outpacing the growth rate under President Trump before the COVID-19 pandemic. This growth trajectory contradicts the widespread belief that the economy is in a recession. Inflation has been curbed, unemployment rates are at historic lows, and the stock market has experienced significant gains.
As of now, unemployment hovers below 4%, marking a 50-year low. This is a stark contrast to the misconception held by half of Americans, who believe unemployment is at a 50-year high. This misperception extends to the stock market, where 50% of the public thinks stocks are down for the year. Contrary to this belief, stocks have risen by 11% this year and have surged 45% since Biden took office.
This is all for show, so you can feel better. They'll be dining & wining together after this "grilling".
The ATF needs to be shut down
This is ridiculous. The ATF is wrong to do this law abiding citizens.
The ATF its self is illegal.
Don't use the term law abiding. You can be made a felon overnight by the stroke of a pen. Say "peaceable citizen" instead. It is what we used to say before there was an effort by certain 3 letter agencies to make the term "law abiding" a common phrase relating to gun ownership.
Well they do what they do because we allow them to get away with it
@@GuyIncognito-mw8mr What will it take to not allow it? If the other politicians we would vote for do nothing Law En-Farce-Ment does nothing the DOJ does nothing what is left after that? We know and it is socially taboo to talk about it.
The ATF needs to be abolished. 😡
Absolutely! They're out if control!
Ahyup
@@Tracey-cg8vvAbsolutely!
Never should have been created.
There is no constitutional authority for this rogue agency to exist.
🙌
Yeah 400 pages and intentionally made vague as hell. Unbelievable that the ATF is allowed to get by with this crap.
that way you can prosecute enemies and shield friends
seriously, how is the common citizen, who has their own job and family, supposed to be reading 400 page documents for goverment's way off applying to 1 small sliver of their lives? we're all over-governed, and over-regulated. these lawyers just make everything convoluted and confuse us into oblivion, while enhancing their own positions as 'officials'
@@joshlcaudill Yep you gotta it brother. So damn unbelievable they can get away with this kinda of crap. But hell this is just the tip of the iceberg,,, I’m sure you’ve seen all the radical nut jobs that will soon be judges? The perfect storm for a full tyrannical country in the making. And we all have front row seats.
It's the whole deep state federal gov. We need Trump so badly
Never a common sense or understandable answer! Bereft of morals or knowledge of ATF’s rules!
What gives an agency the right to elaborate on law? None!
If you can't answer the question you can't do the job
Impeach the ATF director!!
You misspelled "abolish the atf, imprison every atf agent, especially the director that has lied to congress on multiple occasions, and repeal all gun laws because they're infringements on our right to bear arms."
@@Razgriz85 thanks for fixing my misspelling.😁
@@beaufred07it's the right thought that counts, maybe they're an ocd English teacher, but they feel better now
But the ATF Director isn't an elected official, therefore cannot be impeached but can ne fired.
FIRED HIM!
Defund all 3 letter agencies
and 4 letter agencies, and especially the 5 letter agencies (BATFE)
agree the FBI, DOJ , ATF etc all work for the Biden administration and just like Biden they all appear to be corrupt
Yeah, they just murdered a guy because they thought he MIGHT have exceeded that very arbitrary threshold.
Exactly.
Before the arbitrary threshold was even implemented
You know, as an addendum of sorts to the new policy.
Every one of these people who refuse to answer a simple question should be dismissed immediately and charged with any crimes available for their actions. Just a huge waste of time and our money.
Absolutely Agree.
This stuff is so infuriating- these people who come before these committees NEVER give a straight answers or even say”We were wrong”. It’s so obvious they are.
The point of these hearings is to make the public aware. No justice will be had here- you are expected to watch these and get involved.
Because it's all bread and circus. It's just a show to appease the people. To pacify the possibility of a revolt.
Shut down the criminal ATF creeps sneaking around trying to close down small gun owners
Watched all of it. The ATF needs to be defunded.
Government is compromised and won’t do shit about this
Dettlebach: "Look up what we've published." No, YOU are in charge, YOU need to be able to state on the record what it means. If YOU can't respond YOU need to be removed from the position.
Guy is a weasel.
He even looks like a thug, like part of the arkancide mafia.
Convoluted laws need immediate rejection. Define it or reject it. That is the law. ATF is illegal.
I am embarrassed that this meally mouthed director...this poor excuse of a man is in a position of authority in my beloved Country
Most people agree with your statement - that's nearly 100% of the people
Under the Constitution, the BATFE has no authority to begin with.
It does, but only to go after criminals and to enforce constitutional laws passed by The Congress.
The Constitution does not cover any illegal/unlawful 3 letter subcontractor corporation. Nor does it allow a Corporation be a govt. We have NO GOVT, The Federal Govt is a Corporation and belongs to its parent corporation, US INC which controls DC/Dist of Columbia Municipal and Territorial Jurisdictions, including all 3 branch corporations, Military Industrial Complex, Congress Corporation and Corporate Elections. All State and Local govts are also Corporations. Absolutely and completely without the peoples CONSENT or KNOWLEDGE. US INC is a Foreign For Profit Entity. The ATF-DEA-FBI-CIA-DOJ-NSA-DOD-DHS-FCC-FDA-CDC-NIH-DMV etc are all illegal-unlawful and have NO authority-power or control over the people. There is no dem or repub parties every official-politician-public servant works for a Corporation not the people. No president is elected by us, a CEO=fake president, is selected to the Corporation of DC. It has been this way since 1871.
@@hbunny322 Ok bro...
Not a single question was answered. Looks like a typical Congressional hearing. It’s no wonder we look at these people with such contempt.
Does the ATF believe I’m safer if criminals are the only ones who are allowed to own weapons!
As long as you are disarmed, they could care less.
yes. The federal government has determined that guns in the possession of everyday traditional Americans who don't agree politically with their extreme leftixt masters are the greatest threat to power they face.
That's the point. Citizens disarmed, begging for more police to "fight" criminals, with their budget and staffing constantly increasing.
Yes
They don’t want you “safer”, they want you vulnerable to their own attack!
DISBAND THE ATF NOW!
ATF turned off power to the house, taped over cameras, and then Broke in.
Said Police.
{Just What a Home Envader Would Do.}
Never trust a federal agent.
so how is the ATF continually allowed to circumvent the law and the constitution without any consequences!?!
Easy. Have a compromised do nothing government.
Because on the one hand the government wants to take away gun rights. On the other hand they want to appear to be champions fighting for our freedom to own guns. It's all just a show.
Because America has elected a corrupt Marxist for democratic president!
They make it vague so they can arrest anyone they wish…
and 400 pages long so no one will read it.
Einstein said if you can’t explain it plainly then you don’t understand it.
He’s not gonna answer any question, probably two reasons. Number one he doesn’t know the answers, number two he doesn’t care.
Both
Number three.
He doesn't want to be indicted as a co-conspirater to murder.😢
Watch a republican not answer questions worse, because they are asked reasonable questions by Dems. FDJT
Bob can't stop crying .
@@davemurray2880😂 I'm laughing so hard I'm crying. And you are correct 💯
Why can't these people ever answer a simple question?
Gaetz is stellar. We need more Repubs like him. More Conservatives.
MATT GAETZ IS ALWAYS ARTICULATE AND IN THE FIGHT FOR AMERICAN CITIZENS. TOO BAD OUR WHOLE CONGRESS DOESN’T STAND UP LIKE HE DOES.
Exactly, and that's why the dems are trying to off him by dragging him through court on a shit ton of bogus accusations.
So the ATF director didn't answer any questions
And we expected what?
@@patrickgriffitt6551 Just more gibberish.
Surprised??
They never do.
"It depends"
If the director of the ATF cannot articulate what the law that takes 16 pages to write how in gods green earth will the normal person ever be able to navigate this law.
They don't want them to, thats the point.
Exactly correct!
They're not, they want us to break their contrived laws so they can scare the rest of us into compliance and subjugation.
Yes it should be void for vagueness under ex post facto
That's the point. The ATF gets to decide how it's interpreted for each incident.
Anything to avoid answering the question.
There is not one single federal agency that is not corrupt
"Federal" and "corrupt" mean the same thing.
This is all for show, so you can feel better.
They'll be dining & wining together after this "grilling" session.
Yeah it’s time to disband.
DEFUND ATF
ATF defund defund defund delete delete delete
The infringements on the second amendment must stop! We have the right to keep and bare arms period end of story!
You have a right to wear short sleeves.
What does the right to bear arms really mean? The right to bear arms generally refers to a person's right to possess weapons. Over the years, the Supreme Court has interpreted the Constitution's right to bear arms as an individual self-defense right, making it very difficult for Congress to regulate guns.
@@REDMAN298 No, the right to possess is the KEEP part of "keep and bear". The bear part means to carry on their person. The second amendment grants the people the right to own and carry on their person armaments (the weapons, ammunition, and materials necessary to conduct warfare). We keep watering it down to a gun issue, but realistically people owned warships, field artillery, and explosives in addition to firearms. To borrow the words of one who lived during the drafting of these amendments "...Who are the militia? Are they not ourselves? Is it feared, then, that we shall turn our arms each man against his own bosom. Congress have no power to disarm the militia. Their swords, and every other terrible implement of the soldier, are the birthright of an American… The unlimited power of the sword is not in the hands of either the federal or state governments, but, where I trust in God it will ever remain, in the hands of the people." - Tench Coxe
@@Echo_Charlie Nice! I haven't seen that one.
“The Constitution of most of our states (and of the United States) assert that all
power is inherent in the people; that they may exercise it by
themselves; that it is their right
and duty to be at all times armed.” - Thomas Jefferson,
letter to John Cartwright, 5 June 1824
“A militia when properly formed are in fact the people themselves…and include,
according to the past and general usage of the states, all men
capable of bearing arms… “To preserve liberty, it is essential
that the whole body of the people always possess arms, and be taught
alike, especially when young, how to use them.” - Richard Henry Lee, Federal Farmer No. 18,
January 25, 1788
“The Constitution shall never be construed to prevent the people of the United States
who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms.” - Samuel
Adams, Massachusetts Ratifying Convention, 1788
“The right of the citizens to keep and bear arms has justly been considered, as the
palladium of the liberties of a republic; since it offers a strong
moral check against the usurpation and arbitrary power of rulers; and
will generally, even if these are successful in the first instance,
enable the people to resist and triumph over them.” - Joseph
Story, Commentaries on the Constitution of the United States, 1833
@@ray.shoesmith It's a burden we bear.
The ATF needs to go away!
What a dork. Defund them!
"Behavior based, not numerical based." Which means the ATF can pick and choose who it applies to at their discretion.
How int he Hell would a regular person know how many gun sales make you a dealer if the ATF doesn't even know! ??
Has there ever been a question answered in a congress hearing?
No, because everything they do is illegal. If you watch enough of these, all they do is go around the questions or say "we'll get back to you"
@@virtuaguyverify Yes. This cannot continue or democracy will perish.
Never.
The director should know the law that he is supposed to enforce
Honest answers are straight forward. You give answers like this when your hiding or covering up what your really up to.
Hopefully justice will prevail. Save taxpayers money and live. ATF is the Presidents hit squad..
Exactly
We desperately need at least a third party with enough seats in congress and the Senate to break the monopoly the Democrats and Republicans have created. Our founding fathers literally warned us against allowing a 2 party system to come to power
Residents hit squad,NOT MY PRESIDENT EVER
FJB
These agencies should not be creating rules or regulation. They should be enforcing the law. If there is s LAW saying something is illegal, then it's illegal. If there's NO LAW saying something is illegal then it's legal. There should be ZERO "well we have it outlined in 400+ pages to TRY to explain this or that". If you can't explain it in 1 page, then the ones who are coming up with it have no friggin clue what they're talking about and it should be tossed out.
ATF is lawless.
They can’t make laws or rules, just “interpret” them. So they have the full power to “interpret” the law however they see fit and we pay for that “interpretation” with our taxes, our freedom, and even our lives.
These agencies are creating rules & regulations because congress, especially the House members, are too damn lazy to enact concise LAWS to control these rogue agencies like the ATF, the IRS, the FBI, the DOJ, the Education Dept., the EPA, etc, etc, etc. Congress must get off their collective asses and DO SOMETHING TO CONTROL THE ROGUE AGENCIES
Can't stand looking at this atf boss!
None of them will ever answer the questions
I can swear that this man came to the hearing drunk. He cannot answer simple questions. The ATF needs to be shut down
So over 400 pages of shall not infringe ?
Ysll need to shut them down. We follow laws not rules from the aft.
The real question is what are real people in the real world supposed to do to remain safe and legal, but the ATF can only address it in abstract and theoretical terms. The ATF is completely detached from real-world behavior and consequences.
Exactly
I can't even watch this. Despicable!
This dude needs to get life in prison. Always beating around the question and not answering at all
"My position is that I don't have a position. It's all written down."
They waited for him, that wasn’t necessary for a search……
The ATF needs to be held accountable and explain why?!
He wrote it with loopholes. Why can't it be clear with NO ambiguity.
We want justice!!!
I am in favor of Congress making the laws and a reduced ATF enforcing them. We are getting a bit of heavy with ATF people and I don't think they need to be telling us what to do with the weapons we owned
Never forget ATF on April 19 1993 raised a Battle Flag over the burned body’s of women and children #Sickening
haven't forgotten the Weavers, either.
I was raised to Never Forget and to Never Forgive (a different atrocity, but I took the lesson to heart).
Not from the US - But that was the thing where they besieged that coumpound and lit it with granades?
They used a napalm type incidary devise on the end of a boom with a military vehicle they were prohibiting from possessing in any type or fashion……
@@GuyIncognito-mw8mrthat vehicle was probably from the national guard who helped during the siege. I don’t think it was the ATFs.
No rule or law should be no longer then three pages.
Defund the ATF
Just imagine, this Bojo is in charge of the ATF. God help America.
This should be all over the news. Not just on a random TH-cam algorithm.
Steve speaks with forked tongue!
Can’t believe these people aren’t thinking about the millions watching unbelievable
Their interpretation is based on whether they don't like the person, the product, or the situation of the transaction, to be able to fit it into the regulation as illegal
Send em all to jail.
ATF wants to make it possible to charge any gun owner, any time they want. "They kept telling him he was guilty, but wouldn't tell him of what."
This ATF director’s body language and speech is so child like. I’m sure he acts like a badass in his office.
ATF: writes draconian rule w/o clear language.
Courts: you can’t do that. Not what Congress intended. Blocked.
Congress: tell us about this rule, it’s murky, not what we intended & you will abuse it.
ATF: can’t discuss pending court case.
What a 3-Card Monty!
Disgusting
Congress is no longer making laws do I understand that. Then why are we the people paying a salary with benefits for them. It’s taxation without representation.
Yes!
I hope this goes viral, people need to know ATF are extremist, and do what ever they wish.
This is type of person our founding fathers warned us about
We as gun owners have to know all the laws in what ever state we are in. Carry, no carry, guns in cars guns not in cars. Stand your ground can’t stand your ground, pistol grips, no pistol grips, magazine capacity limits, no magazine capacity limits. Pistol brace, no pistol brace. Am I a gun dealer or am I not a gun dealer? Sickening
Abolish FBI, ATF, Patriot Act
CIA, DHS, IRS
This is what a murderer sounds like.
He dances. He is a coward to tell the truth
All bureaucrats are cowards.
How in the world does a subject rule permit a no knock warrant. So basically when the ATF feels like it. Got it
This guy should be in jail.🐀💩🤡💯
Disband the ATF, FBI, CIA. Reeeeeee 🐸
And the U.N.
@@jimplante7699don't forget the dept of education awful agency
Yes, all of our institutions have been infiltrated by the ivyleague communists, defund all and support your local sheriff.
cdc and all three letter agencies abolished, defunded ,done away with
Congress just needs to get down to business and strip ALL authority from the ATF other than simply keeping records. Strip rulemaking authority, strip authority to interpret rules, strip all ENFORCEMENT authority.
Why can’t this guy answer a single question? I am sick of my Rights being under constant attack.
Get rid of the ATF !! 1:36
Disband the ATF.
How does a regular citizen even know if they are breaking the law?
The head of ATF can't define how many sales equals dealer, yet expects the homeowner to know.
Disband this criminal organization
All I've got to say people is get ready.
What the heck? He will not answer a question.
why repeat what Gaetz already said and not just answer the question.
Hes filibustering. Bureaucrats should not be allowed to filibuster. This is 100% US Congress's fault.
Defund
Will the official who authorized this murder be charged and put on trial?
Treason bound
Once again a federal "leader" cannot snswer the simplest of questions.