,
36 tweets,
7 min read
Read on Twitter
TODAY: Acting AG Matthew Whitaker is to testify before the House Judiciary Committee. Here’s his prepared opening statement: 
(The hearing is slated to begin in 30 minutes, FYI!)
You can watch the Whitaker hearing, now beginning, live here:
Nadler is giving his opening statement: From the start, he's questioning Whitaker's decision not to recuse himself from the special counsel's investigation.
Here's my report on that December decision: buzzfeednews.com/article/chrisg…
Here's my report on that December decision: buzzfeednews.com/article/chrisg…
Nadler, on the subpoena threat, now that Whitaker is there: "I agree there is no need to resort to that measure. For now."
"This is nothing more than a character assassination," Rep. Doug Collins—the ranking Republican—says. Collins says that Nadler sent a letter to DOJ last night confirming, "There will be no subpoena tomorrow"—and asserts it was that move that led to Whitaker to agree to appear.
He's yelling from the start, FYI.
"This is not the Senate."
I know, Rep. Collins. I know.
"Back to theatrics again," he said without irony.
"This is not the Senate."
I know, Rep. Collins. I know.
"Back to theatrics again," he said without irony.
Rep. Collins moves to adjourn the hearing, demands a roll call vote. [He doesn't have the votes.]
The clerk was not even here, because ... well .. that was not expected to be necessary.
The clerk was not even here, because ... well .. that was not expected to be necessary.
Lol. Collins called for the roll call vote — but a bunch of the Republicans aren't even there to vote to adjourn.
Rep. Doug Collins' motion to adjourn, which followed his decrying "theatrics," failed 24-10.
Whitaker, a little less than 30 minutes after the hearing began, starts his opening statement.
Whitaker says that, as acting AG, he has made "no promises or commitments" to anyone at the White House "regarding the special counsel's investigation or any other investigation."
Whitaker says he has been briefed on the special counsel's investigation. B/c Sessions was recused from that investigation, Whitaker says he wasn't briefed as COS.
Nadler asks Whitaker for the number of briefings. Whitaker responds, asking for "the basis" for the questions.
Nadler asks Whitaker for the number of briefings. Whitaker responds, asking for "the basis" for the questions.
Did I just imagine Whitaker put on a pair of glasses for a second? I looked again and they were gone. Am I having a stroke?
Nadler asks for Whitaker to return to the committee for a deposition, at which time he expects a proper assertion of privilege" at that time.
Nadler asks a question, and Whitaker says that he sees that Nadler's time is up, so he won't answer. Everyone laughs at him.
UPDATE: THE GLASSES ARE REAL.
Whitaker says: "I have not interfered with the special counsel's investigation."
Collins is questioning why CNN was at Roger Stone's house before his indictment, implying there was a leak.
That's ridiculous. We ALL were waiting to see what was up, given the grand jury's having met on Thursday. I had a "Roger Stone indicted" pre-write.
That's ridiculous. We ALL were waiting to see what was up, given the grand jury's having met on Thursday. I had a "Roger Stone indicted" pre-write.
I would have been there if he was staying in DC.
CNN also has reporters staking out Mueller's office and the federal court where the grand jury meets, so they're everywhere (and have the money and people to do so).
Collins asks about Bruce Ohr — a DOJ employee who has gotten Trump's Twitter wrath.
Whitaker says that Ohr still works for DOJ.
Whitaker notes the ongoing IG's investigation and Huber's work, as well as that it's an HR matter, and won't comment further.
Whitaker says that Ohr still works for DOJ.
Whitaker notes the ongoing IG's investigation and Huber's work, as well as that it's an HR matter, and won't comment further.
The committee has taken a break so members can go to the floor for votes.
OK, I have to step out for a bit, but @dominicholden will have the Whitaker hearing covered for @BuzzFeedNews should they return.
Here's @dominicholden, from when I was gone —>
I'm back — but the committee is now in recess for 5 minutes, Nadler announces.
Whitaker (I think it was him): "We get 5 minutes for lunch?"
Whitaker (I think it was him): "We get 5 minutes for lunch?"
"I've been reading Gregg Jarrett's book ..."
The arrest of Roger Stone was an attempt to scare people into not working for the Trump campaign in the future, Rep. McClintock says. He was continuing the CNN conspiracy theory thing.
Asked by Rep. Cedric Richmond if he would have a problem with a transgender person working for him, "from a clerk to an agent," within the DOJ law enforcement agencies, Whitaker responds clearly and simply: "No."
That followed this —>
Rep. Hakeem Jeffries referred to Roger Stone as Trump's "best friend," and Whitaker didn't challenge that characterization.
Here's the US Attorney, Greg Scott, who was in the briefing Whitaker got from the special counsel: justice.gov/usao-edca/abou…
Rep. Swalwell asks whether FACT received foreign contributions while it was there.
Rep. Collins interrupts, says that's not the point of the hearing, and suggests if Swalwell would "stop running for President," then the hearing would go better.
Rep. Collins interrupts, says that's not the point of the hearing, and suggests if Swalwell would "stop running for President," then the hearing would go better.
Asked about his comments that the Mueller investigation is "nearly complete," Whitaker says that was his position.
Then says: "Bob Mueller is gonna finish his investigation when he wants to finish his investigation."
Then says: "Bob Mueller is gonna finish his investigation when he wants to finish his investigation."
Stepping out again! Be back soon.
Also, a little update on Greg Scott, the US Attorney who was in the Mueller briefing. Per DOJ spokesperson, Scott “has been a senior advisor to A/AG Whitaker during this transition period. Splits his time between Main Justice and Eastern District of CA.”
