During Tuesday’s hearing, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee and former Trump campaign manager Cory Lewandowski got in a heated exchange.
Lewandowski was one of the first witnesses pulled by the House Judiciary Committee to participate in Chairman Jerry Nadler‘s impeachment probe. While the committee hoped to learn what Cory had to say about President Trump‘s alleged ties to Russia or about his reaction to Robert Mueller’s investigation, Lewandowski made it clear he was not happy to be before the committee.
“It is now clear the investigation was populated by many Trump haters who had their own agenda – to try and take down a duly elected president of the United States,” Lewandowski said in his opening remarks. “As for actual ‘collusion’ or ‘conspiracy,’ there was none. What there has been however, is harassment of the president from the day he won the election.”
Lewandowski’s displeasure with the hearing boiled over during a heated exchange with Jackson Lee. The former campaign chief erupted after being cut off by the congresswoman while answering a question. Lewandowski’s response prompted Jackson Lee to remind him that the hearing wasn’t “a house party.”
Jackson Lee: When the president asked you to deliver his message to Sessions, did the president tell you that Sessions had already said no, Volume 2, page 107?
Lewandowski: Again, congresswoman, I recognize that the privilege is not mine, but I’ve been asked by the White House to — Congresswoman, I’d be happy to answer your question, or you can have a conversation by yourself, but if you’d like to ask me a question, I’d be happy to answer it.
Jackson Lee: I’m going to continue. The reason —
Lewandowski: Well, then, don’t ask me a question if you don’t want to hear my answer —
Jackson Lee: This is the House Judiciary, not a house party.
Lewandowski: If you ask me a question, give me an opportunity to answer the question.
The temperature of the exchange didn’t cool off at all. Lewandowski and Jackson Lee continued to talk over one another until the end.
As Jerry Nadler was tapping his gavel to move to the next member, he offered Cory Lewandowski an opportunity to answer Jackson Lee’s final question, but he made it clear that wasn’t going to happen.
“I don’t believe there was a question, congressman,” said Lewandowski.
Jackson Lee fired back, “Yes, there was.”
“Could you repeat the question? I didn’t hear it,” said Lewandoski, adding, “That was just a rant.”
