Congressional Clash

Rep. Jim Jordan faced backlash for mocking Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee's questions during a House Judiciary Committee hearing on the Durham report, highlighting the tense atmosphere in the committee.

Incident Description

During the hearing, Jordan abruptly halted Jackson Lee's questioning of Durham, claiming her time had expired. He proceeded to ridicule the questions she posed to the witness. Another committee member promptly reprimanded Jordan, deeming his behavior inappropriate and out of line.

Contextual Background

Jordan's committee hearings face frequent heated exchanges between lawmakers from opposing parties, challenging his control over the "Weaponization of the Federal Government" proceedings.

Jordan's Defense

When confronted about his behavior, Jordan defended his actions by dismissing Jackson Lee's questions as absurd. He stated, "I was just pointing out something that I think is so, so ridiculous."

Content of Jackson Lee's Questions

During the questioning, Jackson Lee raised concerns about Durham's interactions with ex-Attorney General Bill Barr, who assigned Durham to investigate the origins of Crossfire Hurricane.

Jackson Lee implied that frequent communication between Barr and Durham suggested the former's influential role in directing the investigation. She concluded that the extent of their interaction indicated a lack of true independence in Durham's investigation.

Jordan's Summary

Jordan summarized Jackson Lee's arguments, implying that she exaggerated the level of interaction between Barr and Durham during the special counsel's investigation. He exclaimed, "You had eight text messages with the attorney general of the United States in an 11-month time period? That's amazing!"

House Republicans' Focus and Durham's Report

House Republicans have prioritized inquiries into federal law enforcement agencies, alleging politically motivated investigations against Trump. They lauded Durham's 300-page report, which accused the FBI of launching the Crossfire Hurricane probe based on insufficient evidence.

Democratic Response

Democrats countered by arguing that the Durham report failed to invalidate the necessity of the Crossfire Hurricane investigation. They asserted that "Durham never found what he was looking for" and criticized the report for relying on theories that failed in court cases.