Scot Bertram

Scot Bertram of Hillsdale College is in for Jim Geraghty on the Friday 3 Martini Lunch. Today, Scot and Greg discuss President Trump firing Attorney General Pam Bondi, Anti-Semitism driving a majority of hate crimes in New York City, the radical beliefs of the Michigan Mamdani, and King Charles III declining to issue an Easter message.

First, they react to President Trump’s dismissal of Pam Bondi. Trump insists Bondi did a good job and that she will take on a different role in the administration. So why did Trump make this move? Scot and Greg offer a couple of explanations for why this happened and why it happened now.

Next, they wince as the NYPD reports that a majority of hate crimes in New York City were rooted in anti-Semitism in the first quarter of 2026. Scot explains why he thinks Islamic radicals feel emboldened right now in New York City and beyond. Greg suggests there’s a pretty simple way to bring those numbers way down.

Then, they take a close look at Abdul El-Sayed, one of the Democrats running for U.S. Senate in Michigan in a very close primary. New reporting this week shows El-Sayed wanted to avoid a public response to the U.S. killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khameini. And a former member of the campaign staff says El-Sayed’s true beliefs on Israel and other issues are disturbing.

In the Friday chaser, Scot and Greg shake their heads as the UK’s King Charles III declines to give an Easter message just weeks after issuing a very positive statement for Ramadan.