Thread by @mkraju

David Bossie accompanies Lewandowski to hearing, which is about to start

Lewandowski opening statement: “I had the privilege, and it was a privilege, of helping transform the Trump campaign from a dedicated but small, makeshift organization to a historically and unprecedented political juggernaut.”

In opening statement, Lewandowski doesn’t address the obstruction of justice allegations laid out in the Mueller report, namely conversations he had with Trump over directing Sessions to limit the Mueller probe

He said: "To the best of my recollection, I don't recall ever having any conversations with foreign entities -- let alone any who were offering help to manipulate the outcome of the election...Anyone who attempted to illegally impact the outcome of the election should” go to jail

Lewandowski claims not to know what Nadler is referring to about his 2017 meeting with Trump in the Oval Office as detailed in Mueller report. A staffer runs the Mueller report out to him so he can have his memory refreshed.

“I’m looking for the reference in the Mueller report,” Lewandowski says, stalling and not answering Nadler’s question about his meeting with Trump.

Lewandowski’s tactic at the start: Saying the WH “has directed I not disclose the substance of any discussion with the president and his advisers.” And then when asked about the Mueller report, he says he doesn’t know and needs to read the report to refresh his memory

Lots of theatrics at the start, as Republicans force roll-call votes to adjourn the hearing and to enforce the 5-minute rule for member questions

Lewandowski got through the first series of questions from Nadler without having to confirm the allegations of obstruction of justice in Mueller report by claiming his memory needed to be refreshed about report and needed to read it. Question is how long can he keep that up?

“The president never asked me to do anything illegal,” Lewandowski says to Steve Cohen when asked about Trump asking him to direct Sessions to limit the scope of the Mueller probe to not include his campaign

“You are like a fish being cleaned with a spoon: It’s very hard to get an answer out of you,” says Dem Rep Hank Johnson to Lewandowski

Johnson does what other Dems have not done: He got Lewandowski to confirm his conversations with Trump about delivering a message to Sessions to unrecuse and limit scope of Mueller probe. “I believe that’s an accurate representation,” he said of the episode detailed by Mueller

“No sir,” Corey Lewandowski says when asked by Ted Deutch if he was concerned at all that Trump asked Lewandowski to urge Sessions to unrecuse and limit scope of probe to not focus on Trump campaign

“I think they hate this president more than they love this country,” Lewandowski says to Matt Gaetz. Jamie Raskin’s jaw literally drops

“Are you a hit man, the bag man, the lookout or all of the above?” Hakeem Jeffries asks Lewandowski, who responds: “I think I’m a good-looking man.”

“The Russian collusion narrative,” Lewandowski says, is one of the “greatest crimes” perpetrated on Americans - “if not ever”

Mark Meadows, who is not on House Judiciary, is behind the dais and talking to Jim Jordan. He appears to be in a disagreement with Dem aides. It’s possible he wants to question, but unclear

Lewandowski refers to Swalwell as “President Swalwell,” who is trying to get Lewandowski to read from Mueller report

“I don’t recall,” Lewandowski says when asked if he had access to Trump’s Twitter account. “I don’t believe I’ve had access to the president’s Twitter account.”

Nadler says that holding Lewandowski in contempt is “certainly under consideration,” saying his behavior in the hearing room is “unacceptable.”

Dems moving to let staff counsel, Barry Berke, to question Lewandowski. Doug Collins says that Berke shouldn’t be allowed to question because he’s a “private consultant.” Nadler says “there’s no distinction between staff and consultants”

As House Judiciary devolves into another sideshow, worth noting that each chamber and committees have their own rules - and Senate GOP brought in an outside consultant to question Christine Blasey Ford last year during the Kavanaugh hearings

A total circus at House Judiciary as Lewandowski attorney seeks to lodge protest and jumps to witness table. Nadler says he cant speak. Barry Berke, staff counsel, now questioning after a 20-minute sideshow

Staff attorney Bill Berke asks about a 2019 media interview where he said he didn’t remember if Trump asked him to approach Sessions.

“I have no obligation to be honest with the media,” he said.

Barry Berke points out that Corey Lewandowski discusses private conversations with the president in his book but won’t discuss before House Judiciary. Lewandowski notes the book was NYT best seller and a “helluva” book

“I have stated that most of the information in the Mueller report is accurate,” Lewandowski said under questioning from Berke

Doug Collins says he should get the 30 minutes to question Lewandowski as Nadler says GOP gets time for a staff member to question. Collins demands he gets a chance, Nadler gives him a minute to think it over. “This committee is off the rails,” Collins says he heads to ante room