Harris pressed Rod Rosenstein to give a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer
The Republican Chairman of Senate Intelligence Committee Richard Burr on Wednesdayadmonished California Sen. Kamala Harris and other Democrats and asked her to be more respectful as she pressed Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein who was testifying before the panel.
Harris asked Rosenstein whether he would sign a letter to give Special Counsel Robert Muller “full independence” in his probe into possible ties between Trump’s presidential campaign and Russia, CNN reported.
“Senator, I’m sensitive about time and I’d like to have a very lengthy conversation and explain that all to you,” Rosenstein told Harris.
Harris, however, asked Rosenstein to give a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer but his reply saying “It’s not a short answer, senator,” led to some argument.
“It is. Either you are willing to do that or you are not,” Harris said.
As the exchange continued, Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona interrupted Harris requested chairman to allow Rosenstein to answer. It was the second time McCain interrupted Democratic questions – the first time was during Sen. Martin Heinrich’s conversation.
As Rosenstein went on with his explanations Harris continued questioning asking, “Are you willing or you not willing to give him the authority to be fully independent of your ability, statutorily or legally, to fire him?”
Eventually Chairman Burr interrupted and asked Harris to suspend.
“The chair is going to exercise the right to allow the witness to answer the question, and the committee is on notice to provide the witness the courtesy – which has not been extended all the way across – extend the courtesy for questions to get answered,” Burr said.
Rosenstein then continued his answer and said that he believes Mueller has adequate authority.
Harris was not at all satisfied with the answer, but Burr invited next Senator on the panel and moved on.
"Is that a no?" In tense exchange, @KamalaHarris presses Dep. AG Rosenstein to give assurance special counsel has "full" independence. pic.twitter.com/H5pi0KP9cQ
— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) June 7, 2017
Soon after, Sen. Elizabeth Warren took to Twitter and described the incident as unbelievable.
“Silencing @SenKamalaHarris for not being “courteous” enough is just unbelievable. Keep fighting, Kamala! #NeverShePersisted,” Warran wrote.
Silencing @SenKamalaHarris for not being “courteous” enough is just unbelievable. Keep fighting, Kamala! #NeverthelessShePersisted https://t.co/58y15qWVzU
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) June 7, 2017
Check out some more tweets on the exchange:
Shameful, disrepectful comments to Sen Kamala Harris, @SenatorBurr #ncpol I applaud @SenKamalaHarris
SHE IS YOUR EQUAL AS A SENATOR https://t.co/LBo0JQOkyu
— Dr Altha Cravey (@LocoCravey) June 7, 2017
https://twitter.com/DamiesEyes/status/872584821721124864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fstorify.com%2FSacBeeNoel%2Fharris-doesn-t-back-down%2Fembed%3Fborder%3Dfalse
https://twitter.com/VidalBombay/status/872587285946134529?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=http%3A%2F%2Fstorify.com%2FSacBeeNoel%2Fharris-doesn-t-back-down%2Fembed%3Fborder%3Dfalse
I 🖤Kamala Harris. "Ma'm may I have a chance to answer your question?" Kamala Harris: "NO." #SenateIntelHearing pic.twitter.com/SwfJ7n0l4f
— PurpleGimp (@PurpleGimp) June 7, 2017