Democrats on the House Select Committee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government bickered with Republicans over the credibility of FBI whistleblowers as chaos erupted in the hearing room.
Suspended FBI agents Garret O’Boyle, Steve Friend and Marcus Allen testify before the commission on Thursday to detail the alleged “abuse of power” by the federal bureau’s leadership — ranging from discrimination against conservatives to inflation of domestic terrorism statistics.
“Get ready—because [the Democrats] will come after you,” R-Ohio Chairman Jim Jordan warned witnesses at the beginning of the hearing.
His warning sounded true after the commission’s leading member, Democratic Rep. Stacey Plaskett, began casting doubt that the witnesses could even be considered “whistleblowers” in a fiery opening statement in which she denounced Republicans for apparently contradicting the earlier testimony of the withheld witnesses.
Suspended FBI agents Garret O’Boyle, Steve Friend and Marcus Allen testify before the commission on Thursday
Steve Friend’s security clearance was revoked last September after he raised concerns with his superiors
Whistleblower Marcus Allen testified before the House Select Committee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government
She also accused Jordan of holding a “Make America Trump Again” hearing and “going after the FBI on behalf of Trump.”
Jordan responded, calling her opening statements “ridiculous” and adding that he was impressed that the whistleblowers had the courage to appear before the committee after the insults they received at the hands of Democrats.
Another Republican, Representative Darrell Issa, fired back, saying that since 1778, “whistleblowers are recognized by our government, by our Congress.”
“Each one of these whistleblowers [today] came forward with clearly shielded revelations.’
Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., disagreed, saying, “I’m not exactly sure why we had this hearing.”
He said that unless there is a “broad pattern of discrimination or violation of law,” the witnesses cannot be considered “whistleblowers.”
In a tantalizing exchange between top Republican Jordan and Democratic Rep. Linda Sanchez of California, the congresswoman specifically accused the committee of withholding Marcus Allen’s testimony.
She asked for a copy of the testimony from his transcribed interview a few months ago, to which Jordan said “the whistleblower didn’t want this to happen.”
She responded that since he feels comfortable sharing his story in an open forum during the hearing, Jordan could certainly pass the testimony on to his Democratic colleagues.
Jordan snapped back, saying that Sanchez had not issued a “point of order” and should proceed with her allotted five minutes of questioning.
“This is not how committees work,” said Sanchez, adding, “I think it is important that we recognize this hearing for what it really is — make no mistake, this hearing is a means of legitimizing the events of January 6 .’
Sanchez went on to question Allen about a tweet under the name @MarcusA97050645 that read, “Nancy Pelosi organized on January 6.”
Allen responded that the account the congresswoman was referring to is not his domain and must belong to another “Marcus Allen.”
‘I don’t know, ma’am. That’s not my bill,” Allen said.
Despite not writing the tweet, Sanchez pressed him to answer whether or not he agreed with the tweet, to which he replied “no.”
Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., weighed in on the exchange, pulling out a tweet from another Linda Sanchez account that read, “Donald Trump is the best president of my life!”
Gaetz cheekily tweeted in response, “Congresswoman Linda Sanchez MUST reply to her tweet!”
“As a parent, if you attend a school board meeting, are pro-life or pray at a clinic or are Catholic and just go to mass, you are a target of the government, a target of the FBI,” said Jim Jordan. said at a press conference
Rep. Stacey Plaskett began casting doubt that the witnesses could even be considered “whistleblowers.”
Rep. Dan Goldman, DN.Y., also questioned Jordan’s authority over the commission’s rules, leading to heated back-and-forth between members.
Jordan had said Republicans have Allen’s testimony, but he would not make it available to Democrats.
“He doesn’t make commission rules!” Goldman exclaimed in response, noting that Jordan is in charge.
This hearing has been resolved in “back and forth” allegations, an aggravated Representative John Garamendi, D-Calif., stated at the beginning of his questioning.