Filed under: News, Politics, Congress
Acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker’s testimony before the House Judiciary Committee Friday, which was in doubt as late as Thursday evening, got off to a tumultuous start.
Whitaker’s appearance at the 9:30 a.m. hearing ended a subpoena standoff between Democrats and the Justice Department, but he drew a strict line about what questions he would answer. “I do not intend to talk about my private conversations with the president nor White House officials,” Whitaker said several times as Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler, D-NY, pressed him about his communications with the president concerning the probe by Special Counsel Robert Mueller.
A day before the hearing, the committee voted to authorize Nadler to subpoena Whitaker after the acting attorney general decline to answer certain questions submitted in advance about communications with White House officials and Whitaker’s refusal to recuse himself from supervising Mueller’s investigation, contrary to the recommendation of the top Justice Department’s ethics adviser.
Whitaker, who had been appointed last November by President Trump after Attorney General Jeff Sessions resigned under pressure, threatened not testify before the committee if he was subpoenaed. Whitaker finally agreed to appearing when Nadler committed to not subpoenaing him, according to a statement by a Justice Department spokesperson.
In his opening remarks before Whittaker’s testimony, ranking member Doug Collins, R-Ga., called the hearing “a “dog and pony show,” mockingly suggesting “we just set up a popcorn machine in the back.”
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Collins addressed conspiracy claims that the special counsel’s office leaked a draft copy of Trump’s ally Roger Stone’s indictment to CNN before Stone’ arrest in January. CNN camera crews had staked out Stone’s house in Florida and were able to film his early-morning arrest. Whitaker said he had no knowledge of leaks to media outlets and that “It was deeply concerning to me how CNN found out.”
“As I sit here today, I don’t have any other information that I can talk about regarding Mr. Stone,” said Whittaker.
The chamber erupted in laughter and murmurs after an exchange in which Whitaker tried to avoid answering Nadler by reminding him of the time limit on questioning.
“In your capacity as acting attorney general, have you ever been asked to approve any request or action to be taken by the special counsel?” asked Nadler.
“Mr. Chairman I see that your five minutes is up,” said Whitaker. Nadler, as chairman, has the right to essentially talk as long as he likes.
There was laughter and audible “Ohhhs” in the room as Nadler smiled and Whitaker attempted to justify his non-answer by saying, “I’m here voluntarily, we’ve agreed to five-minute rounds.”
Nadler struck the gavel to call the hearing to order and rebuffed Collins’ suggestion that it would be a good time to move to the next questioner.
“The attorney general was in the middle of saying something,” said Nadler. “Answer the question, please.”
After Nadler repeated the question a few times to clarify for Whitaker, the acting attorney general said that the special counsel has been dealt with according to law and added, “There has been no event and no decision that has required me to take any action and I have not interfered in any way with the special counsel’s investigation.”
Nadler then said his time was expired and recognized Collins to begin his questioning.
