Accountability in Politics: Susan Rice’s Remarks
Former officials from the Clinton, Obama, and Biden administrations, including Susan Rice, expressed this week that if Democrats regain power, they will hold accountable various institutions like businesses and universities that she believes have, in her view, aligned themselves with President Donald Trump out of narrow and short-term self-interest.
In a conversation with Preet Bharara, a former U.S. attorney, Rice stated, “When it comes to the elites—corporate interests, law firms, universities, the media—I agree, Preet. It’s not going to end well for them. I want to emphasize that those who have decided to act in their own very narrow perceived self-interest have made a hasty choice linked to Trump for their short-term benefit.”
She reflected, “I think they’re beginning to realize, ‘Wait a minute, this is unpopular. Trump is unpopular.'” The current situation—be it economic challenges or immigration issues—might shift sentiments, leaving these institutions in a precarious position.
Rice further asserted that those who opposed Trump in the polls would be held accountable. “From discussions with leaders in Washington and our party, it’s clear that if these companies think they can revert to old ways under a Democrat-led government, they might be in for a shock. I mean, do they truly believe they’ll get a free pass for past dismissals or policy violations?”
Continuing her point, she said, “Just like Trump believed he could redraw the rules without repercussions—surprise, Democrats won’t play by the old playbook anymore. We won’t stray from the law because of pressure, but we won’t let ourselves be taken advantage of either.”
She emphasized the importance of a long-term approach for various sectors, saying, “Whether you’re from a law firm, university, or the media, we have to stop managing short-term struggles that only cause further damage. Accountability is on the horizon. Companies should prepare for possible subpoenas and safeguard documents. If wrongs were committed, they’ll face consequences, and if they did nothing wrong, they’ll also be held accountable.” She concluded, saying this isn’t about forgiving mistakes that have deeply affected the American people and the nation’s interests.
In response, Congressman Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.) remarked, “She subtly advocates for communism,” when sharing a clip from the podcast.
Senator Eric Schmidt (R-Missouri) reacted similarly, claiming, “The left has undeniably controlled American companies for years, which makes Susan Rice’s position on Netflix curious, especially while they seek approval for a merger.” He added, “Their gravy train has derailed. We’ve met our objectives.”
Earlier this month, Schmidt pointed out Netflix’s ongoing pursuit of a $100 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. while also noting Rice’s appointment to its board. He mentioned that Rice has a background in advocating for “equity and racial justice” during her time on Biden’s Domestic Policy Council.
During a Senate hearing, Schmidt raised concerns about Netflix’s record of political activism. He noted that a significant amount of political contributions from Netflix employees leaned heavily towards Democrats, further highlighting a disconnect with the company’s claims of being apolitical.
In a related report, it was mentioned that over 1,000 hours of recordings from Columbia University and the Obama Foundation reportedly capture reactions from Obama and Rice following Trump’s 2016 victory over Hillary Clinton. While there are concerns about this material’s relevance, it remains unclear if it will be made public or transcribed for broader access.
