GOP lawmakers privately admit Pam Bondi's testimony could have an unexpected consequence

Lawmakers — both Democrats and Republicans — have told an analyst that Attorney General Pam Bondi's contentious performance this week could ultimately backfire on President Donald Trump and the GOP.

Salon's White House columnist Brian Karem revealed how Bondi's conduct could lead to an unexpected consequence ahead of the midterms in November.

"Still, nothing was as odd as Bondi’s performance, which was unprofessional and combative," Karem wrote. "She lashed out at legislators, telling them they had no right to accuse her of breaking the law, and called Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., a 'washed up loser lawyer.' Many Democrats and even some Republicans told me privately that her testimony will probably help the Democrats during the fall midterm elections."

One Republican staffer from Texas described Bondi as "the worst attorney general in history," Karem wrote.

Bondi wasn't the only Trump administration official this week facing questions from congressional leaders.

Customs Enforcement Acting Director Todd Lyons and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick also testified before House and Senate committees the day before Bondi, responding to questions about immigration enforcement and questionable ties to deceased convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

"For three hours, Lyons had a hard time defending ICE actions in Minneapolis before a House oversight hearing on immigration enforcement," Karem wrote. "Across Capitol Hill, Lutnick floundered while testifying before a Senate Appropriations subcommittee overseeing broadband funding and budget issues that ended up diving into the cancerous Jeffrey Epstein scandal following detailed revelations about the secretary’s connections to the convicted sex offender. Democrats, and even many Republicans, were left stunned when Lutnick admitted that he took his underage children and his wife to Epstein’s Caribbean island for lunch."

Karem described what Trump could be feeling following the week:

"And after two days of contentious hearings on Capitol Hill, Trump must be jealous," Karem wrote. "For once, since he returned to office, the president is not the center of attention. His staff, however, is overwhelmingly thankful for the respite. They know the danger of Trump talking. Besides, many members of Congress and Trump appointees are as shallow and demeaning as the president, so their rhetoric sounds the same."

The impact of this week could be telling come November, the writer explained.

"But every one of Trump’s people so far this week have probably helped Democrats. Republicans are wallowing in overconfidence, ignoring reality and are their own worst enemies," Karem wrote.