Rep. Dan Goldman got quite a blizzard of deflection when he asked chairman Jim Jordan for transcripts or notes from the “dozens” of so-called whistleblowers the Republicans supposedly interviewed for the “Weaponization of the Federal Government” committee.
Thursday was the first hearing of this committee whose very name is an example of Republican projection. The committee's obvious goal is to cancel the Russia investigation, the Trump impeachments, the Mar-a-Lago search and probably any investigation into any conservative while pushing new investigations into the FBI, pre-Elon Musk Twitter, Dr. Fauci, and, of course, Hunter Biden. In other words, the Republicans plan to weaponize the House while they play the big victims.
Fortunately, Democrats have Rep. Dan Goldman, former lead counsel for Trump's first impeachment, on the committee. He asked what should have been easy questions for chairman Jordan to answer. The fact that Jordan dithered, blithered and ultimately dodged the question raises big red flags:
Goldman wanted to know when Democrats will get notes or transcripts from the whistleblowers supposedly interviewed. It seems a straightforward question. But Jordan never gave a straightforward answer. “You could have been for the very first transcribed interviewer of the whistleblower,” he dodged.
Goldman continued,, “You talk about dozens of whistleblowers. When are we going to get that information?”
“When they testify,” Jordan replied. Eventually, he admitted that Republicans interviewed those “dozens” of so-called whistleblowers privately.
“And they’re not transcribed, no notes, nothing?” Goldman pressed.
At that point, Jordan suggested there had been only one interview. Then he deflected again, this time accusing Goldman of not following proper procedures for interviews in the impeachment trial. “We’re doing it the way we’re supposed to,” Jordan declared. Funny how he didn't want to say what that means.
“No, you’re supposed to turn it over to the minority,” Goldman persisted.
There was more back and forth until finally, Jordan said he would be “happy to talk to the ranking member on how we handle that information.” That wasn't a real answer, either.
What’s he hiding?