On one level, I don't blame the Dynamic Duo for not wanting to show up. The trial of Laken Riley's murderer just wound up (Laken Riley's Family and Friends Give Heartbreaking Impact Statements; Judge Sentences Jose Ibarra), and I can understand why they don't want to talk about immigration. I can also understand that both of these guys know they are leaving office in the next couple of months, and they don't see any use in taking the public beating this hearing would entail.

Paradoxically, this move could boost Trump's upcoming showdown with the Department of Justice, DHS, and the FBI. They are showing themselves to be a pampered, privileged group that doesn't think they have to answer to even a senior senator in the ruling party. I predict this will not work out well when the hammer falls, and they come running to guys like Peters to make the pain go away.