Whitaker hearing confirms it: On Mueller probe, Democrats have already won

[DonViejo]

By Paul Waldman
Opinion writer
February 8 at 1:09 PM

If for some reason you found yourself watching the House Judiciary Committee hearing featuring acting attorney general Matthew Whitaker on Friday morning, you might have watched the ranking Republican shouting angrily about all kinds of obscure and meaningless matters, then asked yourself, “What is he yelling about, and who cares?” before slipping gently into a stupor and losing consciousness.

Which is a risk at any congressional hearing. But some of the farcical goings-on at the hearing offer a reminder that when it comes to special counsel Robert S. Mueller III’s investigation, Democrats seem to have succeeded. Republicans are shouting about nothing not just because that’s their default mode when the cameras are on, but because they’re genuinely frustrated at how they’re losing the broader battle over the Mueller probe.

The ranking committee Republican, Rep. Doug Collins (Ga.), did make one reasonable point in his ranting: Since it looks like William Barr will be confirmed as the new attorney general in a matter of days, it may not be worth getting too worked up about anything having to do with Matthew Whitaker at this point. But what Democrats are concerned about is whether in his brief time running the Justice Department, Whitaker has done anything to undermine the investigation, or tip off President Trump to its substance.

That question led to this highlight, in which committee chair Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) asked Whitaker whether he has had to approve any particular actions by the special counsel, since Mueller must get approval before opening up new lines of investigation or taking certain important steps. Whitaker’s attempt to evade the question was so ham-handed that the entire room burst out in a combination of shock and derisive laughter:

-snip- (video)

You might take this as evidence that the real answer is “yes.” There’s nothing wrong with that, since for the moment Whitaker is overseeing the investigation. But Whitaker seemed so frightened and flummoxed by having to testify at all that it was hard to tell.

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https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/02/08/whitaker-hearing-confirms-it-mueller-probe-democrats-have-already-won/

[Cha]

1. KR!

[spanone]

2. K&R...

[Hekate]

3. KnR

[ailsagirl]

4. I loved how the Dems excoriated him!!!!