Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) claimed she was a victim of elder financial abuse when she recently gave her daughter power of attorney, a move she said allowed her to “focus” on her work in Congress.
In reality, such a move raises questions about whether the California Democrat is capable of carrying out her senatorial duties if she is unable to manage her affairs at home.
Feinstein filed the document in July during a lawsuit over her late husband’s estate. She has sued the administrators of that estate, The Hill reports, for “elder abuse and unlawful withholding of benefits.”
‘I asked my daughter to handle the case. And it’s so I can focus on what I’m doing here in Washington,” Feinstein told The San Francisco Chronicle. “It’s a difficult time for me and that’s why I don’t really have time for other things.”
Dianne Feinstein takes aim at Congress, gives daughter power of attorney over lawsuitshttps://t.co/sLIE7t3pg2 pic.twitter.com/v8g5adDvWE
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) September 8, 2023
RELATED: Senator Feinstein, Confused by the Senate’s ‘Basic Principles’, Couldn’t Understand Why Kamala Harris Showed Up to Cast a Tipping Vote
Feinstein alleged parental abuse, forgot she handed over power of attorney
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of this story is that Feinstein filed to give her daughter power of attorney in July. News of her ongoing lawsuit was reported in August.
And yet she forgot to take the legal step when she recently spoke to the Chronicle, telling them she “didn’t give permission to do anything.”
She had to call the newspaper back and correct her own statement.
“I’ve entrusted my daughter to handle the things I think she can do,” she said. “And she’s very smart, and if it doesn’t work, we’ll change it. But so far so good.”
Senator Dianne Feinstein forgot that she had given her daughter power of attorney, according to SF Chronicle: pic.twitter.com/76OtVx4ayJ
— Ken Klippenstein (@kenklippenstein) September 6, 2023
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The San Francisco Chronicle reported that they questioned Feinstein about the lawsuits, but she seemed unaware that her daughter had filed the lawsuits on her behalf, telling the newspaper to “find out.”
The daughter of Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-California, has filed a lawsuit accusing the administrators of her mother’s late husband’s estate of financial elder abuse. https://t.co/ZUCGDxyLTL
— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) August 17, 2023
RELATED: Hillary Clinton, who said 80-year-old Biden’s age is a legitimate concern, says 89-year-old Feinstein should stay to confirm Dem judges
Feinstein’s Age Problems
Senator Feinstein, who turned 90 last June, has been the subject of claims of elder abuse from critics who believe she is being kept active in her role in Congress as a means to keep her seat and ultimately secure it for Representative Adam Schiff ( D-CA).
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) own daughter was seen escorting Feinstein through the Capitol, shielding her from reporters who might catch her at a higher moment.
Pelosi endorsed Schiff to fill Feinstein’s seat when she retires.
Politico reports that a member of the Pelosi family is helping to support Feinstein because it would boost Adam Schiff’s chances of replacing her with Barbara Lee. pic.twitter.com/msI84BxLoz
— Jordan (@JordanUhl) May 18, 2023
Hillary Clinton all but confirmed Feinstein’s endorsement as a power move.
In an interview with TIME, Clinton argued that even if Feinstein is not of sound mind, they need her body to physically cast votes to confirm President Biden’s appointed judges.
“If we want to get judges confirmed, which is one of the most important ongoing obligations we have, we cannot afford for her seat to remain vacant,” she said.
Hillary Clinton defended her friend and former colleague Senator Dianne Feinstein, saying Feinstein’s resignation “wouldn’t be worth the tradeoff” when it comes to judicial appointments https://t.co/b6mFoPMsKu
— TIME (@TIME) May 24, 2023
Evidence of that nature surfaced at a Senate committee hearing in late July, when a fellow senator told the Democrat to “just say yes” during a vote on a defense appropriations bill.
An aide to Senator Feinstein tells her to “just say yes” regarding a floor vote.
Someone has to do something. THIS is elder abuse. This is not acceptable.
— Ryan Fournier (@RyanAFournier) July 27, 2023
According to The New York Times, Feinstein is confused “about the basic principles of how the Senate functions” and has had memory problems “for years” that require help from her staff.
She couldn’t even remember being absent from the Senate for three months due to a battle with shingles.
“What did they think of you coming back?”
FEINSTEIN: “No, I haven’t been away. You have to… I haven’t been away. I have worked.”
“Do you mean working from home?”
FEINSTEIN: “No, I’ve been here. I voted.” pic.twitter.com/kGqH3wjZkA
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) May 18, 2023
The real question seems to be whether or not she voluntarily gave her daughter power of attorney, or whether she was advised to sign documents without fully understanding what she was doing.
Elder abuse seems to come from all sides. Feinstein is unable to serve her final term in the Senate. But the inability to function at work seems positive in the eyes of the Democrats.
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