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The HJC hearing livestream has begun. Note that at least Zelinsky will be testifying remotely.
https://www.c-span.org/video/?473163-1/house-judiciary-hearing-justice-department-oversight
https://www.c-span.org/video/?473163-1/house-judiciary-hearing-justice-department-oversight
We're not started yet at HJC. I wonder whether Nadler is revising his opening statement in light of the DC Circuit opinion.
Nadler explains there's an email list to circulate materials for the record by email.
He also explains that face coverings are required. (Camera catches Sheila Jackson Lee putting a mask on as she sits down.)
He also explains that face coverings are required. (Camera catches Sheila Jackson Lee putting a mask on as she sits down.)
Nadler starts with Berman. Starts listing all the Trumpsters under investigation there.
Nadler: Make no mistake, this is not an isolated incident. Barr's actions continue a course that continues to this day. Needs of American people and needs of justice are ignored.
Nadler: AG misrepresented Mueller's findings, and did so on President's behalf. Pretended evidence President lied to Special Counsel didn't exist. Judge later said Barr's distortions so misleading, he questioned DOJ's representations to the court.
Nadler: The Stone case wasn't isolated instance either. In May DOJ abruptly reversed itself.
Once again, President tweeted his feelings abt case, once against Barr reached into the proceedings, overruled his prosecutors.
Once again, President tweeted his feelings abt case, once against Barr reached into the proceedings, overruled his prosecutors.
Nadler: I cannot help but notice that members who yell loudest about witch hunts are most opposed to reforms.
Barr is the President's fixer. He has shown DOJ has one set of rules for President's friends, and another set of rules for others.
Barr is the President's fixer. He has shown DOJ has one set of rules for President's friends, and another set of rules for others.
Nadler now describing how Barr attacked protestors "all to arrange a photo op" for Trump.
Nadler hails the bravery of Zelinsky and Elias for coming forward as active employees.
Jordan: Barr justice department IS about correcting injustice. Very day we get order from US court of appeals. They're not political [he says of Neomi Rao], they're just right.
Jordan now quoting James Risen for Obama bequeathing Trump so much power.
Jordan: We know how political the whole Obama DOJ was in Russian investigation. Obama spied on 4 American citizens.
[describes how HPSCI transcripts say nothing was there, doesn't note the witnesses to the collusion say the opposite.]
[describes how HPSCI transcripts say nothing was there, doesn't note the witnesses to the collusion say the opposite.]
Now Jordan is reading Collyer at length, complaining that Nadler won't call Horowitz to testify.
Frankly, Nadler SHOULD call in Horowitz to ask about the numerous errors in the report.
Frankly, Nadler SHOULD call in Horowitz to ask about the numerous errors in the report.
Jordan now describing how many people found Flynn's conversations with foreigners of interest or alarm that they asked to find out who was having such conversations.
BREAKING: Ranking HJC Member Jim Jordan doesn't know who investigates crimes that happen in the US (not DNI, not UN Ambassador).
Jordan also doesn't know that the unmaskings of FLynn were not the transcripts he thinks they are.
Jordan also doesn't know that the unmaskings of FLynn were not the transcripts he thinks they are.
BREAKING: Ranking HJC Member Jim Jordan now complaining that lawyer for a crime victim called the FBI to report on the crime.
BREAKING: Jim Jordan falsely claims that FBI got a warrant against the President.
Mike Johnson now complaining that Zelinsky is appearing by video.
Nadler tells Johnson what the part of the rules was.
Collins now appealing the rule of order.
Nadler: There was no ruling of the chair. There is not a ruling to appeal.
Nadler tells Johnson what the part of the rules was.
Collins now appealing the rule of order.
Nadler: There was no ruling of the chair. There is not a ruling to appeal.
Ayer, the first witness, clerked with Rehnquist, but I'm sure the GOP will accuse him of being a flaming Democrat anyway.
Mukasey looks squinchy, is taking notes during his introduction.
Nadler somehow not mentioning that Mukasey has been partner to Rudy.
Nadler somehow not mentioning that Mukasey has been partner to Rudy.
Ayer: William Barr poses the greatest threat to the rule of law in my lifetime.
Jordan and someone else are chatting while Ayer speaks. Jordan doesn't have a mask, in violation of the rules.
Ayer: Bill Barr's service has been an attack on Levi's rules.
Here are some of the things he has done:
Defeated oversight by refusing to show up
Worked to undermine Congress' appropriation power
Undermined independent decision making
Here are some of the things he has done:
Defeated oversight by refusing to show up
Worked to undermine Congress' appropriation power
Undermined independent decision making
Ayer: Barr has supported removal of officials when they prove independent. [Names Berman and Liu]
Ayer: Worst of all is his flamboyant description of Durham investigation he is personally conducting. Hinted repeatedly that indictments are likely. Violation of Justice Manual [the one that got Comey fired]. For President's propaganda mill.
Ayer: Barr does regularly lie.
Republicans are tapping their desks to try to drown out what Ayer is saying.
Gohmert: There's no rules about when you can make rules.
Gohmert: Do you have no respect for the rules whatsoever.
Note: Gohmert is breaking the mask rule.
"Either we have rules or we don't."
Note: Gohmert is breaking the mask rule.
"Either we have rules or we don't."
Elias: My name is John Elias, and I'm a career attorney, I have served under 6 AGs. I have spent my entire career at the department.
[That is, he's risking his entire career to show up today.]
Earlier this year I asked DOJ IG to investigate whether multiple matters abuses.
[That is, he's risking his entire career to show up today.]
Earlier this year I asked DOJ IG to investigate whether multiple matters abuses.
Elias: 1) Mergers into cannabis industry, accounted for full 29% of mergers reviewed last year.
[Side note: there's an irony that Barr is intervening into Big Marijuana and also intervening into case on Big Marijuana wParnas' co-defendant.]
[Side note: there's an irony that Barr is intervening into Big Marijuana and also intervening into case on Big Marijuana wParnas' co-defendant.]
Elias: At one point office was so overwhelmed abt cannabis investigations had to pull in telecom lawyers.
"Cannabis industry is unpopular on the Fifth Floor"
"Cannabis industry is unpopular on the Fifth Floor"
2) CA and 4 automakers on fuel standards. THE DAY after the tweets, antitrust political leadership instructed staff to initiate investigation that day.
Mukasey: Topic of hearing, claims of politicization is serious and important, bc fundamental duty is equal justice. We can and should expect nothing less.
[Great: then you can be witness for prosecution of Barr?]
[Great: then you can be witness for prosecution of Barr?]
Mukasey targets Zelinsky, by noting that sentencing guidelines are optional.
Which is besides the point.
Mukasey: Prosecutors are supposed to seek justice, not try to pressure judge to impose harsh sentence.
Which is besides the point.
Mukasey: Prosecutors are supposed to seek justice, not try to pressure judge to impose harsh sentence.
