The White House on Thursday blasted the new House subcommittee on ‘weaponization’ of government with a scorching letter that compared it to red-baiting probes of the 1950s.
‘Today, Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan is launching the Fox News reboot of the House Un-American Activities Committee with a political stunt that weaponizes Congress to carry out the priorities of extreme MAGA Republicans in Congress,’ wrote White House spokesman Ian Sams in a four-page memo to ‘interested parties.’
The blast also referenced the infamous Wisconsin Sen. Joseph McCarthy hearings that followed 1950s House hearings meant to root out communists in government, Hollywood, and other areas.
The preemptive attack came as the panel prepared to kick off its first hearing, with testimony by former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who left the party and regularly appears on Fox News, and Sens. Chuck Grassley and Ron Johnson – who have both used their perches to probe Hunter Biden‘s business dealings.
Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, left, speaks as Del. Stacey Plaskett, D-Virgin Islands, the ranking member, right, listens, at the start of the first hearing on the ‘weaponization’ of government
Grassley said efforts to label Hunter Biden’s laptop as Russian disinformation amoutn to ‘government abuse and political treachery.’
‘Led by Jordan and Congressman Matt Gaetz, this committee plans to weaponize the MAGA agenda against their perceived political enemies, going after civil servants, private citizens, and the rule of law—all in service of getting booked on Fox News. In fact, its initial hearing even will include “witness testimony” from multiple Fox News commentators,’ wrote Sams.
Gaetz is the newest member to be appointed to the panel. A group of GOP rebels helped force its creation during Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s battle for the gavel.
The memo labeled the hearings a ‘political stunt,’ and cited an NBC News poll showing just 13 per cent of Americans believe probes into the IRS, FBI and federal agencies are the most important for Republicans to pursue.
‘These extreme MAGA Republicans in Congress are choosing to make it their top priority to go down the rabbit hole of debunked conspiracy theories about a “deep state” instead of taking a deep breath and deciding to work with the President and Democrats in Congress to improve Americans’ everyday lives,’ according to the memo.
The White House attacked the new committee as a throwback to Sen. Joseph McCarthy and the work of the House Un-American Activities Committee
Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, shakes hands with Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa. Grassley, who was among Thursday’s witnesses
Actor Ronald Reagan testifies before the House Un-American Activities Committee
Sams has been gearing up for weeks to focus on the House GOP probes, although he has also been diverted into helping the White House respond to the discovery of classified documents inside President Biden’s Wilmington home and former Penn Biden office.
The only Democratic witness at the hearing was Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), who at another GOP hearing Wednesday – this one focused on Twitter and suppression of the story about Hunter Biden’s laptop – blasted the inquiry as a diversion and waste of resources.
Raskin has argued the probe might interfere with ongoing criminal investigations, including the DOJ’s probe into classified material seized at Mar-a-Lago, former President Donald Trump’s Florida club.
Del. Stacey Plaskett (D-USVI), a former House impeachment manager, said she was ‘deeply concerned about the use of this select subcommittee as a place to settle scores, showcase conspiracy theories and advanced an extreme agenda that risks undermining Americans faith in our democracy.’
Jordan said the panel will get information from whistleblowers and pursue ‘Americans who’ve been targeted by their government.’
‘Protecting the First Amendment shouldn’t be partisan,’ he said. ‘Protecting the Constitution shouldn’t be partisan, and protecting the fundamental principle of equal treatment under the law should not be partisan.’
Other witnesses Thursday included former FBI agents Thomas Baker and Nicole Parker, who have criticized the bureau.
