Former solicitor general Neal Katyal and many other legal experts gave acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker a giant “F” for his testimony to the House Judiciary Committee on Friday.
During his testimony, Whitaker repeatedly dodged question after question, even going so far as to try running out the clock so time would run out after a member of the committee began asking questions. At several points during the hearing, things got heated, partly because Republicans whined about the hearing and because Whitaker had no clue what he was doing, which is not what the American people expect from the person who heads the Justice Department.
Appearing on MSNBC with Ari Melber on Friday night, Katyal weighed in after being asked what his takeaways were, and Whitaker is going to wish he had a mulligan.
“Two remarkable things,” Katyal began. “One, the preposterousness of this man being the Attorney General of the United States. We saw someone who is so unqualified, he shouldn’t be the Attorney General of 30 Rock. A 7th grader would have done a better job, a more respectful job than what he did. It was arrogant, it was irresponsible and it really calls into question the president’s judgment for putting this man at the head of the hallowed Department of Justice.”
“I did two tours there, and you know, I would be, if someone asked me to be acting Attorney General, I would be like, “No, I don’t think I’m ready,’” he concluded. “Literally anyone is ready compared to this guy — it was a grave, grave thing.”
Here’s the video via YouTube:
That’s a brutal evaluation, but an evaluation that was echoed by other former federal prosecutors and legal experts earlier in the day as Whitaker’s disastrous hearing unfolded like a slow-motion car crash.
Former Government Ethics Office chief Walter Shaub:
With the possible exception of Martin Shkreli, it’s hard to remember a more disrespectful congressional witness than Matthew Whitaker.
— Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) February 8, 2019
For an alleged ethics expert, Whitaker sure showed some ignorance by saying a recusal applies only to a specific matter or case, rather than all matters or cases involving a party. But a review of the complaints he filed at FACT™ should acquit him of any suspicion of expertise.
— Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) February 8, 2019
Mr. Whitaker’s evasive answers, stalling and occasional borderline belligerence today only deepen suspicions regarding his appointment to lead the special counsel investigation and his role in it. The American people deserve candor about the slow motion Saturday Night Massacre.
— Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) February 8, 2019
Former federal prosecutor Mimi Rocah:
The fact that, as Acting AG, he would continue to spread this conspiracy theory which has been totally debunked by facts shows (again) why he is a disservice to the DOJ & its mission to be apolitical. https://t.co/CX51GPtr4Q
— Mimi Rocah (@Mimirocah1) February 8, 2019
Harvard Law Professor Laurence Tribe:
The fact that this robotic dolt has been named Acting Attorney General of the United States would be beyond comprehension but for what we know of the dolt who illegally appointed him. What a dismal day of testimony by Mathew Whitaker!
— Laurence Tribe (@tribelaw) February 8, 2019
Former FBI Special Agent Josh Campbell:
Great leaders understand they represent their troops. Whitaker could have signaled to the world that the thousands of agents & prosecutors under him don’t engage in “witch hunts,” but lawfully predicated investigations. When faced with that opportunity today, he took a hard pass.
— Josh Campbell (@joshscampbell) February 9, 2019
National Security expert Sam Vinograd:
How does the acting AG not know the number of individuals indicted by his own department as part of the Special Counsel’s investigation? Pretty important facts to know.
— Sam Vinograd (@sam_vinograd) February 8, 2019
Former DOJ attorney and MSNBC justice analyst Matthew Miller:
Whitaker’s performance is making me long for the mental acuity and calmness under pressure shown by Jeff Sessions.
— Matthew Miller (@matthewamiller) February 8, 2019
And former federal prosecutor Joyce Vance:
He thinks it’s just a game. And by turning it into a laughing matter he diminishes the integrity of and confidence people have in the Justice Department. https://t.co/04l9ACJztT
— Joyce Alene (@JoyceWhiteVance) February 8, 2019
After having previously refused to appear before the committee, Whitaker embarrassed himself, the Justice Department and the nation after pressure from Democratic lawmakers forced him to face the music, and he fell flat. And President Donald Trump should be ashamed of himself and held accountable for putting him in this once proud office.
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