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Jimmy Williams
A House Oversight Committee hearing on Thursday night turned into a chaotic exchange of insults over members’ appearances and intelligence, drawing strong criticism from leaders of both parties.
The hearing aimed to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in contempt of Congress. Garland had refused to release an audio recording of President Joe Biden’s interview with special counsel Robert Hur about classified documents. Earlier in the day, Biden claimed executive privilege over the recording.
During the hearing, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) diverted the discussion by bringing up former President Donald Trump’s hush money trial. She asked if any House Democrats had hired Judge Juan Merchan’s daughter, who works for a marketing firm tied to Democratic candidates.
“Please tell me what that has to do with Merrick Garland,” responded Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas).
Greene replied, “I think your fake eyelashes are messing up what you’re reading.”
Greene’s comment outraged Democrats. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.* said, “That’s beneath even you, Ms. Greene.” Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) called Greene’s remark “disgusting” and moved to strike it from the record.
Ocasio-Cortez confronted Greene, saying, “How dare you attack the physical appearance of another person!”
Greene responded, “Are your feelings hurt?”
“Oh, girl, baby girl, don’t even play!” Ocasio-Cortez shot back.
Despite agreeing to strike her words, Greene refused to apologize to Crockett, leading Ocasio-Cortez to say, “Well then, you’re not striking your words.”
The heated exchange continued, with Greene questioning Ocasio-Cortez’s refusal to debate her. Ocasio-Cortez retorted, “I think it’s pretty self-evident.”
Greene replied, “Yeah, you don’t have enough intelligence,” sparking further outrage from Democrats.
Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) struggled to maintain order, stating, “I have two hearing aids. I’m very deaf. I’m not understanding — everybody’s yelling. I’m doing the best I can.”
Comer agreed to strike Greene’s insult about Crockett but ruled it did not violate House rules against personal attacks. Rep. Raskin called for a vote to appeal the ruling, but Republicans tabled it.
After the vote, Crockett sought clarification from Comer and added her own jab at Greene, saying, “If someone on this committee then starts talking about somebody’s bleach blonde, bad-built butch body, that would not be engaging in personalities, correct?”
https://x.com/acyn/status/1791314730063466704?s=46&t=1PFXB15aPunrUy0M3nZZrg
Democrats tried to enforce rules to prevent Greene from speaking for the rest of the hearing, but Republicans voted against silencing her.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Friday said, “We all need to control our emotions better. And get the job done.” Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) wrote on X, formerly Twitter, “Marjorie Taylor Greene and the Extreme MAGA Republican circus act have reached a new low. These people are out of control.”
The panel voted 24-20 along party lines to hold Garland in contempt. Before sending the referral to the Justice Department, the full House must approve it. The Justice Department, led by Garland, will decide whether to pursue charges.
The hearing, originally scheduled for 11 a.m., was delayed to 8 p.m. so some House Republicans could attend Trump’s trial in New York.
