Even in the era of cable news — in which politicians perpetually try to one-up each other’s over-the-top statements — this one is a head-turner.

Appearing on CNN’s The Lead Friday, Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) absolutely obliterated Rep. Richard Neal (D-MA), chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, for requesting President Donald Trump’s tax returns. Kennedy blasted Neal’s argument — that one of the reasons the committee is seeking the returns is that it wants to determine how well the IRS is auditing taxpayers — as nonsense.

“I can’t believe he really thinks the American people are going to fall for that,” Kennedy said. “It must really suck to be that dumb. Look, this is very simple. Mr. Neal wants to screw with the President. He doesn’t think the President ought to be President. Well, you know, words can’t express how much I don’t care.”

Kennedy went on to rip Neal for hiding his true motives.

“This is wildly dishonest,” he said. “This is thoroughly in bad faith. And I don’t blame the president for pushing back.”

At the close of his tirade, Kennedy laughably said that he didn’t “mean any disrespect.”

Watch above, via CNN.

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